Physician Recommendations

[enveri.livejournal.com]

Hi! My husband and I just moved to the area, and my chronic breathing problems seem to be getting worse, so I... kind of have to stop putting off finding a couple of doctors.

I have surfed through the health care tags, and looking at my insurance website (Cigna) and yelp has proved to be a bit hit or miss.

SO! My questions!

Does anyone still use the Davis Square Family Practice and recommend it? I have seen lots of good things about Dr. Bershel, but I understand she's no longer at the practice..? I am looking for a GP that can perform my annual physicals (pap, breast exam, etc.) that will take the time to listen to my concerns and won't see a fat lady making excuses. I welcome any and all suggestions for other options; walking distance from Davis or Porter would be fantastic, as would evening/weekend hours.


Secondly, I need an allergist or an asthma specialist. I seem to contract bronchitis and pneumonia any time the weather changes, and I suspect allergies are at the root of my problem. The allergist I saw back in Illinois before we moved here really... did not inspire confidence, so I'm hoping that someone out there knows of a good one.

Thank you!

Comments

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

IDK if they take your insurance, but I've been very happy with the care I've received from Dr. Hobbs at Harvard Vanguard in Davis. She's very friendly and personable, and I've never felt rushed or uncomfortable with her. Also, she is very open-minded: for example, when I first went to her, she asked what gender I considered myself, and if I was sexually active, the gender or genders of my partners. She also asked if I regularly wore a seatbelt :). As for the weight issue, I've had good experiences with her as well: at my last check-up, rather than bother with the BMI chart, she talked to me about diet and exercise (as in a conversation, not a lecture), and was happy to see my weight not fluctuating (I come at this as someone who also has the "fat girl making excuses" accusations).

The only issue in that office is one of her nurses, Jean. She is ... not easy to deal with. In person, she's very friendly, but over the phone, she is very not friendly. However, in my 5 years of going there, my time with her has been VERY limited (I usually see Dr. Hobbs or her NP, whom I also love), so I've tried not to let Nurse Jean deter me from going in!

[belladonna.livejournal.com]

I don't have any experience with this particular doctor, but I do love the Harvard Vanguard system as a whole. Can't say enough about them.

I have also had the same problem with nurses and phone manners across a few different HVMA specialties and offices. Weird. It's annoying, but I don't mind putting up with it because my doctors and their assistants are so incredible.

[enveri.livejournal.com]

I've heard very good things about Harvard Vanguard, I'll keep this in mind, thank you! :)

[enveri.livejournal.com]

My old GP in Illinois had a nurse like that. She was very.. brusque, but it was a shell. Beneath she was very sweet. I guess people in the medical profession have to develop a professional thick skin? I'm not sure.

But thank you! :D

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I'm late replying on this thread, but wanted to second the recommendation for Dr. Hobbs. I find her very warm, and she always remembers the details of my life (or takes the time to review my file before my appts, which is basically the same thing). I don't really have weight issues, but I do have this "still breast-feeding a 5-year-old" thing which can get you lectured or judged by some medical professionals. I really appreciate that Dr. Hobbs just asks "so are you still nursing?" in a non-judgmental way, and when I say yes, she takes it into consideration when prescribing meds or what have you.

I'm not familiar with the nurse you mentioned, for which perhaps I should be grateful. :)