I have a new doctor.
When I started feeling really crappy this week, I decided it was about time that I find an actual doctor.
The walk in clinic here in town leaves a lot to be desired (last time I went, they did not have me fill out any paperwork, simply gave me handfuls of drugs and sent me on my way) and I haven’t had a primary care physician since my pediatrician (unless you count my OB, but I don’t think he’d help me much with an ear infection).
So yesterday, I got out the yellow pages and started looking through the options. I kinda wanted someone here in town, I mean, who wants to drive 30 minutes to see a doctor when they are sick? Also, I did not want an old guy. Chris thinks I’m silly, but I don’t feel that older male doctors understand (nor care to understand) women’s issues. If I ever have a problem, I don’t want to go to my doctor and have my concerns dismissed for ‘just being a woman’.
Since the yellowpages doesn’t like the ages of the doctors (so I couldn’t rule out old. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are plenty of older male doctors who keep up to date with new research and treatments, go to conferences and such, but there are plenty, especially in this area, who do not) I had to go with a woman. Fine by me, that’s kind of my preference anyway.
I found one. Maybe there are more, but if there are, they ought to put their first name in the phone book so I can tell. Anyway, I called, made an appointment, with Dr. Jennifer Flower, then was told right before the receptionist hung up the phone “Oh, you’ll be seeing Dr. Bonfili”
Greeeeeeeeeat.
Luckily, Dr. Bonfili is also a woman. And I love her. She seems very nice, very competent…..and she buys great clothes at Kohls. Not that I’m sick very often, but now I have an actual doctor that I trust just in case I do get sick. Oh, and I can stop calling my OB about antidepressants. He’s nice to give them to me and all, but really, since I’m not planning on having more babies, it might be time to move on to a doctor who specializes in something a little north of the equator.
I love my doctor but can never get in to see her. She is so busy, so I always end up seeing a resident. I mean, I know they need to practice being a doctor and all, but please, couldn’t I get a real doctor every once in a while? The thing is that I love my actual doctor so much that getting to see her once a year for the annual exam is enough. I will say though, that if whatever problem I’m having seems serious enough (not sure what the scale on that is), they usually let me see my real doc. Glad you found one you like!
Jennifer
March 27, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Yay for finding a doctor you love. It really does make all the difference. My new one just left her group practice. sigh.
Brooke
March 28, 2008 at 10:48 am
This is a good idea and something I need to do. I had four kids in six years and I feel like I am ALWAYS going to the doctor, but you’re right – it’s always an ob (or a pediatrician). The time to do this is now and not when I have some sort of issue that needs to be dealt with, so I don’t have to hear “Our first New Patient appointment is in six weeks” when I have a raging infection.
-Renee (aka The Renee on Ashley’s Closet)
PS Are you in WV? I have WV roots. My mom was born & raised in Big Chimney, just north of Charleston off I-79. My grandma still lives there. I love, love, love Wild Wonderful West Virginia.
The Renee
March 28, 2008 at 4:56 pm