How does your own PCP treat you?

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Hello to all, I'm curious to know if since you've become a nurse, or while you were a nursing student and you had to see your personal physician for a serious health issue; what was his/her rapport with you? I have recently had to sit out my last semester of nursing school d/t back to back diagnostic testing and a diagnosis requiring surgery. During the treadmill of bouncing back and forth from PCP to specialists, labs and scans, my questions or anything that sounded clinical to them seemed to put them off. Mind you I'm aware of the ego factor and was careful in my wording but Geez O Pete, it is my health and my time in their office isn't to have fun challenging them. Have you noticed a different doctor patient relationship if you are the patient, but a nurse by profession?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

My PCP has been my doctor since I was a welfare mom back in the early '90s. He's seen me through a lot, and he's always respected me for doing what I did to get through school and become somebody. We've also worked together professionally at different times during my career, and he trusts my professional judgment enough that all I have to do is pick up the phone to get what I need, whether I'm ill or when one of his other patients is.

We trade stories during appointments sometimes, debate care issues, and even joke around. He is comfortable enough with me to tell me flat out, "Your blood pressure SUCKS!!", and I'm comfortable enough with him to tell him when I disagree with him. It's a pretty good relationship at that.:D

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Specializes in Physical Rehabilitation, med-surg.

I love my PCP who happens to be a nurse practitioner. I worked with her at my hospital before she took the job she now has.

She comes in the room, smiles, and says, "Hey, Clint! How have you been doing?" or some other pleasantry to start the conversation. ARNPs have great bedside manners as a rule, and for the most part beat the doctors by miles in this area. I can tell her anything, and often I have self-diagnosed, and she'll agree or disagree, suggest something else, whatever. She doesn't throw a litany of drugs at the problem but does her best to figure out what will help me the most. I can tell her anything and be comfortable.

To answer your question, if your PCP makes you feel uncomfortable or you feel like you need to watch what you say, ditch him and get another that is better.

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GREAT! I love the way she treats me. She is an internist and spends time explaining everything she is doing. She offers me choices because she knows I have some brain cells left. She even talked me into a colonoscopy and I really did not want that. She does not miss much.

When I got a new dog she stopped office time to come out to the car to get acquainted with the dear dog. She always asks about my family even though they are not her patients.

In hospital she is just as friendly and trusts my judgment. If I ask questions she is always ready to help me understand her reasoning, never jumps to conclusions that I am questioning her orders.

I think sometimes a busy office will make it difficult to have time to ask questions. I had seen it with other PCP, not that they were weird about me being a nurse. They just were pressured to keep up the pace in the office and the questions became an intrusion. I can't stand that kind of situation. I changed PCP and found this gem.

Try opening a dialogue with the PCP about your concerns. If you are not happy with the interaction, look for another provider. It is your money and your choices need to be based on facts. If they don't have time or interest in you. Walk.:twocents:

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Specializes in Home Health.

My PCP treates me like a patient who is an RN. While I might have some ideas that I would like to suggest I respect his opinion. I have changed PCP when I felt they were not taking care of my needs. He jokes with me and asks about work and family.

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I was rather unpleasantly shocked when I went to see the doctor who I thought may become my PCP. Being new to the country I was slightly apprehensive about my first visit being for back pain (most PCPs worst nightmare).

The doctor was very young (compared to me) and I felt she was dismissive, arrogant and condescending. Needless to say I won't be going to her again. I'm shopping around for a doctor who is more my age and one who actually respects the fact I am an RN.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Step-Down, and ER.

Knock on wood and pray to god... Haven't really met my PCP yet. Hope it stays like that for another 50 "healthy years" :D

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I'd had my PCP for close to 20 years. He has always been relax, yet professional around me. The only change in treatment is now if I call with a problem he wants me to evaluate myself and give him a proper report. Once I do that he will either prescribe meds or tell me to get in to see him. He is also amazed that I am willing to travel to his office (over 20 miles) for an appt. i tell him finding a great Dr is like finding a good mechanic, you keep both no matter the distance.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

My doc is great -- a bunch of my ER coworkers used to work with him when he was a resident, and they call him "eye candy." ;) But seriously, he seems almost relieved that I don't require lengthy explanations, and he's quick to ask for my opinions or input with regards to my own health, or my husband's. He went from being an OB/GYN into family medicine, so he's able to do the annual "chick check" as well as everything else. I love the one-stop shopping. :D When I first went to him, I was a paramedic and a nursing student. Now that I'm an RN, I haven't really noticed a difference in the way he treats me.

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My PCP is an ARNP as well, and I started seeing her when I was finishing prereqs (now a GN, take the NCLEX next week). Since I told her I was in NS, she's always treated me with professional courtesy - but also gave thorough explanations of what's been wrong with me, as she would to any other pt. Whenever she has me go in for labs, for example, she automatically has the results mailed to me. Of course she'll call if we need to discuss an abnormal, but I can see for myself if my LDLs are a little high or whatever. Right now she's about 12 miles away from me, but I can see myself making the drive even after we move and the distance it >20.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I adore my PCP...I was assigned to him through military insurance and didn't tell him I was a nurse...he was very kind and VERY thorough, and he actually listened to what I had to say...

Then I saw him at work a couple of weeks later and he said 'Wait...are you a NURSE?' and I said 'Yep!' and he said 'Well you could've said something!' and laughed. Mind you he remembered my face after only one visit!

He is always willing to listen to what I think the problem may be, I consider that we are a team in my healthcare...as with some other posters, I have had to work professionally with him (both in the hospital and now where I work in the clinic), and he is always wonderful!

I got lucky though...some of my fellow Coastie wives were assigned to some real jerks!

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Specializes in med-surg,Ortho, Peds, LTAC, renal, ICU.

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