Do you prefer new doctors or more experienced doctors?

[MountainLaurel]

If that choice is available.

I've been pondering this a bit lately, as I have an appointment tomorrow with a specialist so fresh the ink on her residency certificate is still wet. I work in a hospital, and right now those are the only docs who are accepting new patients at all (the joys of health care in post-Katrina New Orleans). Even she was a 2-month wait.

On the positive side, it seems that with a new doc, it's more likely they're using the most current practice standards and techniques. (I read a study once that showed on average, it takes a physician 10 years to incorporate new research findings into their daily practice of medicine.) They're less likely to be burned out and are probably less likely to dismiss patients' concerns because "that never happens." On the other hand, they don't have the intuitive sense for things that comes from years of doing something day in and day out: looking at a cervix and seeing trouble, recognizing symptom patterns, etc.

So, what do you think?

[dropkickpa]

1. I waver

I've never minded having fresh new docs, but my current PCP (has been for 5 years) is slightly older and I adore him, but he's a giant geek and always exploring new options and stuff. I have found that, often, new docs tend to actually listen more.

[GodlessBiker]

2. New.

[napi21]

3. I don't think you can generalise like that. You really have to make your

judgement on the individual dr. Since you work in a hosp. you should also have access to the scuttlebutt about the diff. drs. I've encountered some very experienced ones that I refuse to ever go to again, but I've also seen some real newbies who had more talent, instinct, and ability than their very experienced counterparts had after many years of practice.

I would say, go to your first appt. and follow YOUR instincts.

[MountainLaurel]

6. That's the plan

Trusting my instincts, that is. Although at the rate I'm going, I'll probably never see her again -- by the next time I have to go in, I'll probably have a different job and therefore different insurance, which might mean a different doc. However, my big issue, which you can't really address until you're actually talking to the doc, is whether she's pro-choice.

Unfortunately, all of the docs who came recommended to me aren't accepting new patients. So many doctors left New Orleans following Katrina that those who stayed are drowning in patients.

[gateley]

4. Nothing beats experience, IMO.

I'm lucky that my doctor who has been around for I'm guessing 30 years, also stays on the cutting edge and never hesitates to look up info to learn more.

Unless you're going for something simple -- an ear infection -- something like that. :shrug:

Let us know how it goes! :hi:

[merwin]

7. Except for those experienced doctors who don't keep up with new information.

I had a few doctors for several years who missed the most simple of blood tests and caused years of issues because they never thought to test me for Celiac's disease (relatively new diagnosis for doctors... last 10 years or so). If my doctors several years ago had been keeping up with new information, they would have caught it.

The best thing is (as you said) a Dr with experience who stays on the cutting edge and is always learning. The problem is that doctors can get burnt out very quickly and just not care that much.

[gateley]

9. Yeah - I guess it's the same as with everything else -- it depends on the person.

My dad was a doctor and was constantly reading the journals, articles, etc., and was always aware of the latest in research. I was lucky to find someone like him. I hear stories of other peoples' experiences (like yours with the Celiac mis- NON -diagnosis) and it is so frustrating. Especially when the patients don't demand answers.

My doctor once said 'I don't know what the problem is, here, so I'm sending you to a specialist.:" THAT is rare in a doctor, too!

Good luck! And I'm glad you finally received the correct diagnosis (although I know having it sucks). :pals:

[merwin]

11. I just moved back to my hometown (1 hour north of Seattle) from living in Seattle, and got new docs.

Oddly enough, both my general dr and GI dr came from Texas :) The GI dr did every test he could think of, in a very rational order, and found both the Celiac and an esophagus issue. My general dr decided to actually listen to my history and decide to put me on ADD medication (was diagnosed when I was a kid, but never had treatment, starting to cause big problems).

I guess small college towns can have better doctors than the big cities.

[gateley]

13. These days, though, isn't Bothell practically a part of Seattle?

Are the physicians you're referring to the ones you had in Seattle?

When I lived in Seattle (all my life except for the past six years - and I can hardly wait to go home!) I was usually happy with the physicians at the Poly Clinic (and I could always go up Broadway after my appointment for a Dick's burger!)

[merwin]

14. My hometown is Bellingham, not Bothell.

Although, the last place I lived in the Seattle area was Bothell :)

I love(d) to eat Dick's burgers...

[gateley]

15. Oh -- NOW I get the "college town" reference.

And anybody who's not vegetarian who DOESN'T like Dick's burgers, should be run out of town!

[CherokeeDem]

5. I Work in the Health care Field...

first as a clinical microbiologist and now as a Health care recruiter and I was told by a very wise nurse once that when your current doctor got older to trade for a younger model...one with about 5+ years experience. She said medicine was evolving exponentially and no doctor could keep up with everything. I just traded a younger physician for a seasoned one simply because the younger one, while I really like him, is part of a huge practice that apparently likes it money more than it's patients. I got a warning letter from the office because I forgot an appointment...I was out of town on business, got the date mixed up and called them as soon as I realize I had forgotten and rescheduled. I am now on notice that if I miss another appointment I may be discharged from the practice. No discharging for me, I told them to kiss my grits and I found a new physician...happens to be my parents' doctor. The entire medical profession needs to be overhauled. Good luck with finding a new doctor.

[merwin]

8. You are spot on.

[TygrBright]

10. I like a group practice that has both. n/t

[merwin]

12. Like Dr House?

:)

[supernova]

16. House is the best kind of MD Curmudgeon

;-)

I've been fortunate to be treated by a couple of Houses, one in cardiology and one an orthopod. (Neither had drug habits though...)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

17. New very experienced ones are the best.