Posted by Viridis on April 22, 2003, at 1:01:27
In reply to Should I be annoyed with pdoc?, posted by Dinah on April 21, 2003, at 19:48:57
Aside from the health-specific issues that you raised (which a psychiatrist, who by definition is an MD, should consider), the 5 minute session point struck me as weird. My first session with my current psychiatrist lasted about 1 1/2 hrs, and my 3-month "15 minute" drug consultations almost always last 30 minutes or more (although he only charges for 15 minutes).
My pdoc does like to chat, but he also is very astute in asking key questions about how the meds are working, how my life is going in general, etc. In that sense, he's pretty "holistic", although ultimately it's all about whether the mix of meds is really working. The downside is that he often runs late on appointments, and when I ask the receptionist how long I'll have to wait, she just laughs and says "you know how he is". But I prefer this approach, because he really cares about his patients and takes the time to treat them properly. He's lamented to me several times that his practice is growing too much, and I'm not surprised -- people come to see him from all over.
My GP, on the other hand, wants me in and out as fast as possible -- just prescribe something and get on to the next patient. Questions of any kind annoy him -- just take the drugs, they have no side effects, etc.
It took me 13 years to find my pdoc, but I'm very happy with him. It's really worth searching for someone who cares -- 5 minutes (or 7) just isn't enough.
poster:Viridis
thread:221270
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030417/msgs/221359.html