Finding an Internist

[ALCapshaw2]

I'm considering the addition of an Internist to my slate of Doctors in the hope that an Internist may have the the time and knowledge to answer my questions and interpret test results.

I did approach one who had impressed me previously but was told she was not taking new patients. Now I wonder if my long list of 'conditions, surgeries, and procedures' turned her off or if she simply didn't want to add more (complex) patients to her caseload. I know she works short days to be able to be at home when her kids get home from school.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to how to best go about finding and approaching such a Physician.

'AL'

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hey Al - my 'other' (non-cardiologist) is an internist. He's the one who originally discovered my murmur, and sent me off for an echo and an EKG.

Do you feel comfortable asking your current physician? If not, is he/she a member of a medical group? If so, you could call the new patients person and tell them what you're looking for (this is how I did it).

Ask your cardio or surgeon's staff for a referral, and then just call them up -

 

[Nancy]

Hi Al-

Joe has an Internist and I have the same one. He is very caring and has a real handle on Joe's problems which can be an immense handful. Joe's Internist also monitors the Coumadin and has for many years. He's a great guy and has the interest and expertise to help Joe over some pretty high hurdles. He's also diagnosed some obscure illnesses which, for some unfortunate reason, Joe is prone to. Joe would be very ill or worse without the time and effort of this man. In addition to regular and as needed office visits, he monitors Joe's labs for anything out of the ordinary. And he or his partners are available for any emergencies (ER visits) which might be life-threatening. We appreciate his care very much.

Just because you have heart problems, doesn't mean you can't have other things happen. And the longer valve patients live with their new "fixed up" hearts, the more things can go wrong, just like the rest of the population.

So yes, it's a GREAT idea to have this discipline.

BUT, I would be extremely cautious with someone who would be turned off by your problems, and who has a limited time frame. Both would be big red flags for us. If a doctor is afraid of your problems, you won't get help when you need it the most. And if you need help on the "off time", you will get another doctor who isn't familiar with your conditions. In our experience, this is the time when mistakes can happen.

So if you still elect to go this route with this doctor, plan on being very vigilant.

 

[Nan]

Internist

Internist

Hi Al, I'm not sure what big hospitals are near you, but you might see if any hospitals near you have a physician finder service. There are some docs out there that are challenged by a patient with multiple problems and that might be one way of finding them. Word of mouth is probably the best way, though. A nurse or other medical person you deal with on a regular basis might have an idea.

Hope you can find one like Nancy and Joe's!

Good luck,

Nan
AVR 10/99
Currently with a stenotic aortic St. Judes and a 3+ mitral regurg.

 

[Blanche]

Al:
I like Nan's reply. Ask a nurse, especially one who works in a hospital with lots of internists. Or, you could ask your cardiologist or any other doctor who does not work directly with your current doctor. When Albert got endocatditis, I did not like the way his internist was approaching his problem. I asked my surgeon, "If you or one of your family members had Albert's problem, what is the name of the cardiologist that you would call?

I also agree with Nancy. An internist is a "full service doctor," the doctor that you will spend the most time with. You need someome who is thorough and available. I had an internist for l8 years whom I adored. He saw me through all sorts of minor problems. Last year I changed to Albert's internist. My guy does not work on week-ends. At my age, I need a doctor who is available when I become ill. Albert needed to be hospitalized on a Saturday and it was his internist who made the arrnagements and tended to him in hospital.

Good luck with your search.
Blanche

 

[wweir]

Al,

I am a firm believer in internist?s. My bicuspid aortic valve condition was discovered by my doctor during a routine exam. He has been the most involved in my total care and in fact I see him regularly (Every 4- 6 months) versus my cardiologist who I see only annually. Like Nancy he also monitors my Coumadin levels and I have been very regular for about a year now.

When I had my surgery he came to the hospital prior to my going to pre-op and was there to see me in the ICU. He also spent time with my wife and kids while I was being operated on which helped all their nerves

I hope you find a good one that will spend some time with you and give you first class care.

Walter

 

[Granbonny]

My Internist

My Internist

Happen to be the one on call..Xmas Day..in the ER..when I got up the nerve to tell my family..something was wrong with me. They said..but on Xmas Day..and I said Yes. now or never. He kept me over night in hospital and released me to come to him..and I went and went and went to every doctor he suggested.And he would not give up..then 3 months later. after suggesting that I go to a Cardiologist ( no symptoms of heart disease) My Card. gave me all the tests and there it was. the aneurysm... After my first 3 mont exam by Card..I went back to him..and he wanted to see me every month..Finally, I said..give me a break He said O.K. but wants to do a complete physical on me August 20th.(My Internist)..I love this guy. I knew if I had problems over last winter ( cold, ect. I could call him and walk right in..Lucky I was healthy as a horse. Lucky, he was on call that Xmas Day...Al, how close are you to Birmingham. They must have great Internist there. We take Daddy to Montgomery when he has any major problems. Bonnie

 

[LUVMyBirman]

My cardiologist both down south and back home up north. (Returned home with my new valve). Recommend my internists. Both are excellent doctors. Plus they are familiar with the cardiologist. The combination works well........especially in a hospitalization scenario.

I would inquire with your cardiologist whom he recommends. Before asking both of my cardiologists.......tried guessing off of the hospital registry. Was far from satisfied. If I ever have to transfer again....I will find the cardiologist first, then ask for a referral.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Thanks everyone for the information and suggestions.
I will start making some discrete inquiries.

The hospital I use is Huntsville Hospital which is about 15 miles from where I live (out in the country). We have hundreds (or so it seems) of Family Practicioneers (there is a Family Practice Residency program here, associated with the local Hospital and University) but very few Internists (<40).

I believe we have nearly as many Cardiologists (25+) and Heart Surgeons (5) as (General) Internists (as opposed to Internists who are even more specialized such as GI, Endochronologists, etc.)

Even though the local population is only around 200,000 or so for the county, it is a High Tech Area with NASA, Redstone Arsenal, and a lot of varied industry and commerce.

I suspect our Cath Lab is the best in the state... It is state of the art and their numbers are great. With 6 or more guys specializing in Caths, Angioplasties, and Stents, their efficiency is unsurpassed. They can do a standard heart cath in 20 minutes! (once the patient is prepped).

The adult CABG numbers are equally impressive. Pediatric and complex heart surgeries are sent to Birmingham / UAB but more and more valve jobs are being done locally, mostly first timers.

'AL'