Best way/website, to find a "primary" care physician.

[k3n]

deleted

 

[JManInPhoenix]

I use the website of my insurance provider.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Recommendations from family, friends and coworkers.

 

[MadScientist]

I'm assuming you mean doctors in your network. Ask a local RN. When we moved to TN we were lucky that one lived just a few houses down from us. Her recommendations for a PCP and specialists were great.
I also cross checked her recommendations here: http://www.healthgrades.com/

 

[IronWing]

I use the website of my insurance provider.

This. The first criteria is that the primary care physician be in the insurance company's preferred provider network. Afdter that, try someone that is either close to home or close to your place of work to cut down on driving. After that, be prepared to hop a bit until you get someone you trust and want to deal with.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The "Northeast" comprises some 180k square miles and has about 55 million inhabitants. I don't think we can offer much in the way of specifics given that. Being in central PA is not at all like NYC and your options will be entirely different.

Also your expectations are unrealistic. If I could look at someone and determine precisely how they would respond to any given treatment I'd be the worlds first trillionaire. No one can do anything other than go with their judgement and experience to assess your conditions then go with what is most likely to give the greatest benefit vs. risk. You aren't a car on a lift.

 

[jaedaliu]

Recommendations from family, friends and coworkers.

This is the best way.

I find DOs to be a little more open to alternate treatments, but you just gotta find the right doctor to quarterback your medical care.

 

[John Connor]

You can always try Angie's list, although you have to pay for that.

 

[OCGuy]

The first one that will prescribe you Xanax without giving you the whole "Don't drink a 6-pack with these or retrograde amnesia will make you a complete asswad" speech.

 

[Zee]

anyone who can corner this market like the way Yelp has with restaurants, will make billions. A lot of sites exist, none of them have succeeded.

 

[Slew Foot]

ask a nurse or someone else who works at the hospital who they would go to. Do not ask another doctor though as they will likely refer you to one of their friends or someone else who sends them patients.

 

[BoomerD]

If you figure it out...please let us know.

I recently moved 900 miles away, so I can no longer go to my primary care physician that we had for almost 25 years.
Here, it seems like all the doctors are part of large, hospital-owned clinics...no "single practice" doctors. The clinic docs all push for more and more services. "I know you just have a cold, but let's run $1000 worth of blood work to test for African Tsetse Fly infestation and Antarctic Ice Worm disease."
"While we're at it, I know your back has had more pictures taken than Kim Kardashian, but let's have some x-rays and an MRI just because our radiology department is behind on their quota for the month."

 

[BurnItDwn]

I went with healthgrades.com plus family and friend recommendations.

 

[OCGuy]

Smallest fingers

 

[tynopik]

doctors whom aren't against "alternative" medicine

What do they call alternative medicine that works? Medicine.

Typical doctor: Here's a subscription for meds, come back in 30 days. Then you realize the meds don't work, even after paying $40/$50 co-pay. Ridiculous.

As opposed to spending $300 on Reiki massage that doesn't work . . . .

 

[BoomerD]

Smallest fingers

Come on...even with small fingers...if he has both hands on your shoulders...you KNOW it's a comprehensive prostate exam...:whiste:

 

[sportage]

If that new doctor suggest your prostrate be checked, and you answer it just was checked three months ago by another doctor, but this new doctor insists on his own check, again, well... beware.

If this same new doctor suggests a recheck, again, during next visit within six months from the last visit, if this same new doctor insists on still another recheck, well... you have absolutely chosen the wrong doctor.
Some doctors definitely do have a male prostrate fixation.
And while the way to a man's heart is thru his stomach, the way to a mans prostrate is thru.... well you get the idea.

 

[k3n]

deleted

 

[DaveSimmons]

Website for your insurance company, someone in-network. Ask family and friends if they are in your area.

I rolled the dice and picked a nurse practitioner at a medical clinic within walking distance. I lucked out, she was very helpful when my gall bladder decided to attack me by spitting out gallstones.

 

[mirageracerx]

Smallest fingers

i lol-ed a little bit. thank you sir.

 

[squarecut1]

I just wanted to say, HealthGrades.com is a great site. I've also learned, or feel rest assured for going to a different doctor, as the one I had been going to for years has one of the worst (and deservedly so) ratings, on the website.

Thanks Team AnandTech!

But is it not possible to get fake ratings on that site? I'm not sure how reliable those ratings are.

The original question is a tough one and highlights a big problem in this industry, which is already riddled with problems