We all know that I have my share of experience with doctor’s of the “bathing suit area” variety. And possibly your share. And your neighbor’s share. Let’s just say I know protocols and routines and I feel very at-home in the office of my OB/GYN. They even have a chair with my name on it. Okay, not really, but that would be awesome if they did.
Of course, I know nothing about plain-old-family-practitioner doctors.
Is that even what they’re called? Or is it a general practitioner?
I’ve mentioned that I didn’t grow up going to the doctors often. As a matter of fact? The last time I saw a family practitioner was in 1995 when I had a UTI. And then? I didn’t even take the antibiotic he gave me. (I have a thing against antibiotics.) There have been two other times when I needed non-girly medical attention. Both times I went to a doc-in-a-box type facility. (The Bee Sting and The Ear Ache) So, when it comes to general medical attention? I’m a pseudo-virgin.
I was talking to MrZ about whether LilZ should go to our family doctor or to a pediatrician and MrZ pointed out that I’d never even SEEN our family doctor. “Did you even call to see if he’s accepting new patients?” Um, I remember that I was supposed to do that after we got married. I was going to call to see if I could be a patient since MrZ was already his patient, but did I actually DO it? Hell if I know. Probably not.
So - here is my question: Should I call and ask? Or is it safe to assume since he’s been treating MrZ for 10 years he’ll treat LilZ and I? Or is that NOT a good assumption? And then, do I make an appointment for a physical? Or was that just something I did to get permission to play sports in High School. And then, about this backache, do I see him about that? Can he even do anything for it? And what about LilZ? Should he still be seeing a pediatrician? Or is he old enough to see the same family doctor? You must help me, internet. I don’t know what to do in a doctor’s office that does NOT have advertisements for birth control on the stirrup covers.
(I bet general practitioner’s office tables don’t even have stirrups, do they?)
Unfortunately I have lots of experience with doctors of all varieties. It’s usually a good idea to see your doctor for a checkup/physical, just to establish yourself as a patient and give them a heads up on your medical history in case of an emergency. We have a family doctor who sees me, M, and K — we switched him from a pediatrician this year, when he was 12. It depends on how comfortable you are with the doctor, and whether you expect Lil Z might have any more complicated issues where you’d want him seen by someone who specialized in kids. For a generally healthy kid, a family practitioner is usually fine.
You should definitely make sure the doc is taking new patients, however. Some docs limit the number of patients from certain insurances, too.
I have a GP AND an OB/GYN. How jealous are you?
Call and ask if the Dr. is accepting new patients, yes, always a good thing. Mentioning that MrZ is already a patient should let you in the door, even if technically the doc isn’t taking on new patients.
No, you probably won’t be in the same room with a stirrup. I suggest bringing your own from home, if it’ll make you feel more comfortable.
And LilZ can totally go to a family practice/GP kind of doctor. Hell, the first time I saw a pediatrician was when I was in college and landed myself in the hospital. Being that I was still 17 they put me on the Peds floor. I was all, “What? But I’m a GROWN UP! Just last weekend I was out getting trashed with my friends!!!” And then the doctor was ridiculously hot. Of course.
MY family GP table has stirrups. We go to our regular family doc for all our girly type stuff unless it’s complicated.
here you would have to call and see if he will see LilZ but that’s cause most of country is without a doctor.
My family doctor and Gyn/Ob are at the same office. Jealous yet? Hah
So all the exam rooms have stirrup.
Just call him and ask if he accepts new patient or not. I think kids still see a pediatrian until they are 13-15. It all depends on the kid. Usually by that age, they feel too “old” sitting in kiddie chair and surrounded by choo-choo train.
As I’m not all that great with GP docs either, I’ll simply refer you to the previous posters’ advice.
As for the back ache, I’m all for going to see a chiropractor (or a quackorpractor as my grandfather used to say). I know a GREAT one - not far from us that I can recommend, if you’re interested.
both of my kids see a family doctor or general practitioner instead of a pedi and their substantially younger than LilZ
Okay, I work for a health insurance company, and I see and hear a lot of things that would amaze you about doctors. You should definetly call the dr because I know lots of drs that will not take the family if they were not seen by the dr before the “not accepting new patient” thing was added, even if one person was already there. Then again some drs will, so its up to the dr. Also you should definetly establish a relationship with the dr and not wait until LilZ is sick. Get a well check up. For the GP or the pedi, its up to the person. I take my girls to a pedi, but thats because I REALLY like that dr, If I had a GP, I probably would take the girls there to makes things easier. Good Luck
Having just handled this same question with the POD (who moved in with me at age 15), I was told by pediatrician that she should see a pediatrician until age 21 (which may be tooooo long but still). Something about young bodies still changing and such.
They DO have stirrups - doesn’t that make you feel better! I went to a pediatrician well into my teens, mainly because we already knew he was capable, friendly, and saw eye to eye with my mom on treatment options (we have a thing against antibiotics, too).
I went to a ped. till I was 16 or so…
and I would assume you have to call …
Nice to meet you!! I am Janice and I am here cause of Tess’s blog.
I’d say call. You’ll have to call for the appointment anyway. Does your backache? The family doctor probably won’t do anything but refer you to another doctor.
Don’t call. If you give them an out, they’ll take it. But if you just make an appointment and show up, they won’t say anything. When you get there just play “act as if” and tell them you need to fill out paperwork because your husband has been seen there, but you haven’t, until today.
LilZ should be seeing a pediatrician until 18 years old. They keep up with all things kidlet related, whereas regular docs are busy keeping up with the growing baby boomer population and their issues.
My personal preference for myself is to see a DO. (Doctor of Osteopath) - a licensed MD with 300-500 hours of additional training. Osteopaths believe in a technique called OMT, or osteopathic manipulative treatment. DO’s use their hands as a primary tool to diagnose and treat illness and injury. They are very focused on the back and spine and how body parts affect other body parts. While not entirely “holistic” they offer a variety of non invasic healing treatments not available from conventional doctors.
invasic=invasive. Sheesh.
There are still “General Practice” doctors in the world? My GP is an “Internist”
Unless there is a reason for LilZ to leave the Pediatrician, leave him there for now.
For you, no do not “ask” if you can be seen, simply make the appointment. If they ask if you have been there before just say yes, but it has been some time. They archive records after a patient has been “dormant” for a while, and whether or not you have actually been there before, since it has been so long you will need to fill out new paperwork anyway.
None of my kids ever saw a pediatrician. We’ve all only ever seen our GP. My GP does gyn stuff too (except birthin’ babies) so we only have one office ever to go to.
Like the others said, it would be a good idea to call and ask because some doctors do not automatically take all family members.
Call…. tell them you have not been seen there but your spouse is a long time patient. Most offices will let you in with that. If they still won’t, don’t worry. It probably would have been hell to get an appointment if they are so busy they won’t accept a current patient’s family. Also, go for a well visit before you or LilZ get sick. Initial appointments take a while to get previous med records and do an eval. If you wait and get sick before you call, they may not see you. For the backache… if he gives you a pain RX, find a new dr. Best thing would be to see a spec. He may be able to refer you to one also covered by your insurance and that’s better than going to one that you randomly pick out of the yellow pages.
To define…..
General Practitioner- generally treats children above 12 to middle age adults (can treat all but better when your older to see an internist)
Internist(internal Medicine Practitioner)- treats adults above 18 ( best with older adults or people with chronic health problems )
Family Practice- sounds like best for you can treat general problems of all ages … would probably refer out to a specialist if something is serious
General Practice and Family Practice are basically the same thing but some general pracice may have age restriction
Ok, first off I do medical scheduling so I figure I am your girl here. Yes, usually as courtesy the protocol is that you can be paneled (made a patient) to a doctor if your spouse is already a patient of that provider. While that is the usual practice, there can be exceptions, so call today and ask. Also, not every provider is a Family Practice provider (no one says General Practice anymore.) Mr. Z’s provider may be an Internist, a doctor who practices Internal Medicine and is an adult specialist in the same way that a Pediatrician is a child and adolescent specialist. Still with me? So Mr. Z’s provider may not be able to see Lil Z. If he/she is a Family Practice provider yes, Internal Medicine, no. So ask that, too. Finally, the decision whether to have Lil Z see a Pediatrician or Family Practice provider has many factors, but generally it just comes down to each family’s preference and or/convenience. Pediatricians specialize in the particular problems of kids and teens, but a Family Practice provider who has lots of kids on their panel may also be just great. I would ask a Family Provider, “What portion of your practice is child and adolescent medicine?” or some such question.
Yes, they can help with your back (muscle relaxants, anyone?) or refer you to physical therapy or chiropractic. You may want to have a full physical if it has been a long time since you’ve had one. Lil Z should definitely be having well child exams to keep on immunizations, etc, if you do them.
I see you’ve already gotten tons o’ help on this, but thought I’d add my 2 cents. Take care!
I am so glad that someone else has all kinds of questions about how to go to the doctor! I had a sinus infection last week and had to message my sister while on the phone with my mom to figure out HOW to go to the doctor…like I am not 25 or something.