SFBrit

Probably a long shot, but anyone know of, or know how to find, a British-trained (or Australian/Kiwi-trained) GP in or around San Francisco? Fed up with the American variety. Many thanks.

bored-silly

There is one in San Carlos. Ring your insurance company and they wil send you a list of GP's who take your insurance in your area. They all have where they trained and their qualifications on the list.

Bob

Do a google, there's plenty of sites that'll list doctors in your area and where they trained etc...most sites have a fair bit of info free, normally only have to pay to see extra info about complaints etc...

Leky

Try the AMA site, you can search by location/type of doctor, you can click on the names to see where they went to medical school & where they did their residency training, specialty etc.

http://dbapps.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm

snowbunny

Out of curiosity, what makes you seek a British-trained doctor? Better trained, better bedside manner?

SFBrit

Yes and yes, in my humble opinion, when we're talking about GPs. Also trained to listen to and fully examine patient, rather than simply send patient away for endless time-consuming, inconclusive, expensive tests/specialist visits/rigmarole.

snowbunny

Have to admit that would be refreshing. My American GP is this way, but it took me years to find a doctor like that.

honeymommy

Fully understand where you are coming from on this.... BUT.....

One thing to consider....

British trained doctors here have a budget and guidelines within the NHS... There are actually a lot of tests that should be done that are ommitted due to budget or government restraints in the UK.

I know, I trained and worked as a nurse here in the UK from 1985-1997 then 6 year break in California. Now back in UK working for NHS since last year.

Another consideration is... In the USA doctors get paid for the treatment they give, there are restraints on payments for each test done when a person has health insurance... Healthcare out there is a business like any other so they make money for each test they do... Therefore they will do all the tests allowed within the restrictions of the healthcare insurance to fill their pockets....

So totally agree with your reasons for thinking a UK trained doc may not be that way..... BUT....

Most UK trained doctors go there for the money, just as other people do in other businesses... More money and more opportunity.... Therefore you will probably find they will be just the same as any other USA doctor....

I hope I am wrong but be prepared for the same ole same ole experience.

I found an aussie doctor who had similar training to the UK ones.. Had a great experience with him, but mainly due to the fact I am trained in the heathcare field and know about tests and treatment, so he didn't mess about doing unnessary tests...

The AMA is a good link to search... I hope you have a good experience. Just for the feel good factor... If you were here in the UK right now you be fighting to get the proper tests done, as it's a bloody nightmare here.

NC Penguin

I don't understand why you want to find a British trained doctor. I think you're after a doctor with a particular kind of patient style.

Back in the UK, I encountered doctors with terrible social skills but I've also had appointments with medical practioners in the US who are just the same.

For example, since moving to the US, I was seeing a dentist that was personally recommended by two friends of mine. I trusted their opinion but I disliked the dentist's manner intensely (plus that fact that he only worked one day a week and his office was not convenient to either my workplace or home). I'm on my second dentist in the US now. Her manner is far better. Friendlier, quicker and closer to home.

Don't be afraid to shop around to find your medical practioner to find the right "fit". That's part of the American way. Lots to choose from but you've to got sort the wheat from the chaff.

I always engage in conversation about my reasons for the visit, quiz the doctor about what he proposes for me (inc. side effects) and I don't feel I've had unnecessary tests. Also, my health plan is such that I don't need a referral for a specialist so my doctor has never scheduled me to see one (though she has made an open ended suggestion to see one once).

My major bugbear about health providers is in this country is at the payment end, dealing with billing, but that's another thread



NC Penguin

AdobePinon

Curious thread. If you were looking for a UK dentist, I'd understand it more - I've never found a truly good one here. But doctors have always been decent.

SFBrit

For the past 20 years or so, British GP training has laid great emphasis on a certain "style", as you call it. (Oz and Kiwi docs similarly, I believe, although I'm not sure about this.) I happen to like it, I think it leads to better treatment and a better patient experience, and it is as far as I know entirely lacking from US medical training. I'm trying this tack because I've already tried asking friends and colleagues for primary care doctors they'd recommend - the startling thing is that nobody seems to much like their GP here. And that's the people who get to see an actual doctor - there's the whole other issue of being palmed off onto an underqualified Physician's Assistant, too...

NC Penguin

Perhaps it's a CA thing. First PCP (GP) I registered with is fine with me. She and I get on v. well. She has the style that works with me though I suspect it has nothing to do with her training, just her personality.

On the other hand, I may be fortunate 'cos I live in Durham, NC, "City of Medicine".



NC Penguin

effi

I love the doc I have here in AZ. He is the best doctor I have ever had, either here or in the UK. The one I had in Philly was great as well. If you don't like your doctor you can always find another.

AdobePinon

Actually, when I think back, I realise that I've never seen a GP here - I've always been able to go straight to the specialists. So maybe my opinion has no value.

snowbunny

SF Brit.... you may be suffering from the fact that doctors avoid California, especially GPs cos they can't make the same kind of money vs cost of living elsewhere. You live in one of the highest COLA areas in the country and I hear complaints from my Yank friends there that finding a GP is frightful. California pioneered the HMO concept (California seems to pioneer everything ) and frankly GPs are sick of acting as low paid gatekeepers who get paid on NOT referring their patients to specialists; yet the patients want or need to go! MediCal is a nightmare.... in short, unless you find someone at Stanford, it's very hard.