Changing my Primary Care Physician - Questions to Ask

[penelope]

I have an appointment with a new Primary Care Physician on Monday, and I'm wondering what questions to ask and how.

I want to find someone a little more educated about antidepressent/anxiety meds, as my current PA does not seem to know a whole lot about the medicine I'm on; or if she does, isn't sharing the info with me to the level I'd like.

Maybe:

1.  What is your philosophy regarding the treatment of anxiety/depression?
2.  What medicine would you prescribe me for anxiety/depression and why?
3.  If my meds weren't working and I complained to you, what steps would you take?

p bean

[gratitude28]

Those are very good questions. I wish I had done that. I have always blindly done what my doc said without giving any thought to there being more than one way to treat. I am better now with that. I think you are being very wise. If it matters to you, perhaps you could ask about weight gain or loss as well.
Love, Beth

[Plucky]

Hi Penelope,
I would start out with a general question on how s/he approached medical care.  (I ask this because I want to know how holistic they are, if the patient is like a car to be fixed with the latest drug/tool, or a whole person to be figured out, or what.)  Then ask what the reaction would be to a patient doing her own research, has that ever happened, what does s/he think about this.  You need to know how secure and inclusive s/he is in your treatment.  Some doctors seem to think that when they treat you, it is none of your business how/what/why they do. 

Then go on to ask what her philosophy is about sharing information with the patient.  Because your main concern is this (if not, tailor to your main concern).

Then be upfront about what you are looking for, without criticising your current physician.   S/he can be different with different patients, depending on what they need/want.  It does not have to be a one size fits all (although it might be).
This is just what I would do.  Hope it is helpful.
Good luck.
Plucky

[teartracks]

Hi Pb,

I agree with what has been said so far.  Be a good observer of his/her listening ability/skill.  The doctor you choose should be a good listener.  They should take in what you tell them about yourself, not just listen over waiting to treat you the way Plucky described.

tt

[Certain Hope]

Hi Pb,

  Plucky listed the items that'd be important to me. I just wanted to tell you how healthy I think it is that you want to be proactive in selecting good medical care instead of accepting whatever comes along. I see you taking such sound, responsible steps toward... well, maturity! I admire you and know that I need to change my habits along the same lines. Have been really passive about this stuff in the past and I'm learning alot by your example.

Love,
Hope 

[Brigid]

Pb,
My feeling on the prescribing of meds for depression and anxiety is that it should be done by a psychiatrist, not a primary care physician.  They are much more knowledgeable about all the various options, new generations of meds available, potential side affects, etc.

I had my ad's originally prescribed by my primary physician (ob/gyn whom I love and is wonderful for those needs) and all he could do was look up the info in a book and prescribe by trial and error.  The two which he prescribed were not good for me.  I finally went to a psych and she immediately knew the best options for what I was dealing with at the time and I had no bad reactions to the meds she chose.  In fact, literally overnight, I started feeling better.  I had to see her once per month initially to monitor the meds, then less often as the dosage was determined.

Brigid