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Conference quark::mennotes-v1

Title:Topics Pertaining to Men
Notice:Archived V1 - Current file is QUARK::MENNOTES
Moderator:QUARK::LIONEL
Created:Fri Nov 07 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 26 1993
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:867
Total number of notes:32923

341.0. "Doctor Recommendations...." by CASV01::SALOIS (Travelin' Jack....) Fri Apr 28 1989 14:03

    
    
    Well, seeing how DEC will pay for a physical this year, I figured
    it's about time I had one.
    One problem:
    	Can anyone recommend a good gp in the Fitchburg/Leominster area?
    Being fairly new to the area, I don't have a clue.  I'm just looking
    for a good doctor to see once a year for a physical.
    
    Feel free to send your recommendations to me at CASV01::SALOIS
    and thanks for your input!
    
    Gene~
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
341.1Good Luck Finding One!JAIMES::GODINThis is the only world we haveFri Apr 28 1989 14:107
    Having just gone through the agony of trying to find one in that
    same area, let me caution you that all of the doctors I contacted
    "aren't taking any new patients until July."  So once you have some
    recommendations, please act on them before you have an emergency.
    
    Good luck!
    Karen
341.2Be careful when writing to this note, pleaseTLE::FISHERWork that dream and love your life.Fri Apr 28 1989 14:5815
If you are going to write to this note:

The general "legal" rule of thumb is to avoid saying negative things
about doctors (or others).  If you do say negative things, DEC could
possibly be taken to court (slander? something like that?).  (I know
it is a slim chance, but why risk it.) Saying positive things about a 
doctor is okay. 

The suggested wording is "I prefer x doctor to y doctor," if a 
comparison has to be made at all.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...


						--Gerry
341.3let your fingers do the walking....BUFFER::PCORMIERNo good deed goes unpunishedFri May 05 1989 09:416
    RE: .0  A call to the local hospital may help you in your search. I
    know (around here) Marlborough Hospital has just such a referral
    service. They would/may know what doctors are/are not taking any new
    patients and may save you a lot of time. 
    
    Paul C.
341.4Can you trust a referral service?BARTLE::GODINThis is the only world we haveFri May 05 1989 10:4713
    Am I wrong if I think that a physician referral service is (1) going
    to be able to tell you which doctors are taking new patients, but
    (2) those doctors will be the ones no one else is willingly going
    to for some unexplained reasons -- and possibly good reasons?
    
    I'd like to think that referral services list only doctors they
    have screened and find fully qualified and professional.  I fear
    that they list ANY doctor (the good ol' AMA at work here) who happens
    to be in the area and looking for more patients.
    
    Does anyone here know how they work?  Can we trust their referrals?
    
    Karen
341.5NSSG::FEINSMITHI'm the NRAFri May 05 1989 12:057
    I'd suspect that the doctors from a Hospital referrel service are those
    who have privliges at that hospital, which may or may not be a good
    thing, depending on the hospital. If the institution is highly
    respected with stringent standards, then it might give you some good
    leads.
    
    Eric
341.6Just my opinion.....BUFFER::PCORMIERNo good deed goes unpunishedFri May 05 1989 12:0617
    
    	Given the alternatives, I think I may be more inclined to trust the
    recommendations of a hospital's physican referral service than to trust
    the recommendation of a stranger, or worse just pick names out of the
    phone book and visit the first one who says he/she will see you. 
    
    Remember, the referral service is just that, a reference...it in no way
    commits you to anything. Maybe the best approach would be to check
    w/the referral service, *then* ask whomever you wish if they have had
    any experience with any of those doctors on your list. 
    
    If I remember correctly, I believe .0 was looking for a doctor who
    would perform a physical - I'd think you would have to be somewhat less
    demanding in terms of credentials than if you were choosing a
    cardiologist or a brain surgeon. 
    
    Paul C.
341.7Consult Local Hospitals "Referal Service"AHIKER::EARLYBob_the_hikerFri May 05 1989 13:1822
    re: .0
    
    Both Leominsterv Hospital (in Leom) and Burbank Hospital (in Fitchburg)
    have referral services.
    
    Last year when I tried to find human medical doctor; I was tolf
    by several that the date they would add patients, and that a complete
    physical would be necessary before being accepted as a patient.
    
    The feelings i had were quite malevolent toward them; but after
    discuing the  situatioin with some "other" medical friends; and
    getting an inderstanding of  the level of malpractice insurance;
    the doctors need to protect themselves from their own patients.
    
    My former doctor in Nashua simply gave up his practice, and walked
    away. I don't know why. I had been seeing him for several years
    (like 15 or so) and felt complete confidence in him.
    
    This year we joined the Fallon Plan; and after a shaky papaerwork
    start it seems like it's going to be just fine.
    
    Bob