Primary Care Physicians Wasting Time

I have become increasingly frustrated with how primary care physicians approach the annual physical exam. It seems that more and more, annual visits consist of less physical exam and diagnosis and more referral to specialists.

On three separate occasions (with different PCPs) over the last five years either i raised questions about symptoms or blood tests raised questions, and the immediate result was a referral to a specialist. For microscopic blood in my urine, I was referred to a nephrologist (no imaging, no referral to a urologist). The nephrologist was pleasant with me, did a brief history and referred me to a urologist. He then stated that my PCP was wasting my time and his.

The other times were similar where the specialists conducted a very brief exam, shook their heads, and either referred me to a different specialist or said “nothing to worry about.”

Of course that meant extra co-pays, extra insurance billing, and added time away from work.

Anyone else experiencing this?

There is a lot of over-compartmentalization and over-specialization I think. Plus doctors and whatnot (primary care,etc) know less, and less, and less. Look at all these programs to become nurses, etc, in 2yrs out there! Crazy. Hell, MOST doctors' offices don't even DO bloodwork now! MD Now: Urgent Care at-least does a lot of stuff in-house still, so I've seen, including minor surgical procedures.

I think you hit the bullseye. Since my PCP of 30+ years retired in 2013 I haven't had a real physical exam. It seems the new one who works for a doctors group only checks what she can through my clothing where my old doc had me sitting there naked for at least 20 minutes while he went over all kinds of stuff. That included training in how to not get a hard-on when his bee u tiffle office girl came in with paperwork he wanted and stood right in front of me talking to him wearing her best biker's leathers.

I think all the appointments are to make up for the smaller reimbursements.

I saw a new primary Dr on Thursday, and the only things she checked were my blood pressure, and a quick check of my chest and heart with a steth.

My new doc relies on bloodwork. I've been with him a couple years and have yet to get an exam of any kind.

My primary care doc also relies on the blood work result, partially as a result of what Medicare will and will not cover. So, once a year, I have, and pay for out of pocket, a physical exam like the ones of yesteryear, ekg, prostate exam, clothes off and all.

There are articles pro and con about the necessity of a complete physical exam - and what is really needed in an exam. Some articles state that very little has been detected during a full medical exam (abdominal, genital, EKG,etc.). Other articles advocate for a complete head to toe inspection.

My son is a cardiologist and told me you could have a 95% blockage and a normal EKG. Unless there are other symptoms or complaints, an EKG probably won't tell you much adjuring a routine physical. If there are underlying conditions/symptons, it may be the first step in a series of more thorough testing to pin-point a problem. I'll bet if you have an underlying heart condition you will be seeing a specialist vs a PCP for that!

I don't see any loss of health care with the current system. If you really want a complete exam - ask your doc. If you have supplemental insurance it may be covered, if you have company insurance it may be covered. Personally, I think a complete physical is a waste of time UNLESS you have some specific complaints that won't show in you blood work.

Took me awhile to find a good PCP one I'm with now was just random find by going to an urgent care that also takes appointments. He does a good physical exam and blood work. He doesn't over react I have a few of those who go overboard with things. Family member of mine went to a doctor complaining of chest pain that happened several weeks prior hadn't returned. Prior to that she had been left waiting for over 45 min past her appointment then another 20 in the exam room. There was some arguing she could not get onto the table too high she is elderly no one would assist which lead to family member leaving. The doctors comment to her was “I can't charge you now because you didn't get the EKG”. She went home the doctor called the police who demanded she go back to the doctor or she be forced to the ER. I was called I spoke to the police I told them we would file a lawsuit against them if they did that he needed to call a supervisor. The supervisor called me I told him same thing we agreed to take her to a different doctor that happend two weeks later. The chest pain turned out to be heart burn from taking too much Ibuprofen. The only thing I can figure is the doctor wanted her to come back so they could charge her. There was some other incidents with this PC doctor such as once I took her there with a cut finger. I asked her to look at it all the doctor did was lean forward little and go back to her tablet. She quickly referred her to an orthopedic hand surgeon. The hand Surgeon said it was a waste of time because all it was cut probably needed stitches since it had been too long nothing can be done now. It healed up I found her a new doctor after that last incident with the police.

@satirpha Totally unprofessional of both the Dr and Police - hard to believe either was that insensitive.

@satirpha Totally unprofessional of both the Dr and Police - hard to believe either was that insensitive.

It was unbelievable I don't want to get into too much personal details to protect the identity. The police were just trying to do their job I don't blame them they were under the impression that she had chest pain at the appointment she needed emergency care. When we spoke to them told them it was weeks ago they realized this was a bogus report. We found a much better doctor who sent her to a cardiologist completely cleared her of any heart issues.