Doctors without ridiculously long lead times to schedule an appointment

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for a primary care doctor who doesn't have ridiculously long times until the next available appointment.   Is this possible?    I don't need to see a doctor often, but if I have something that might be serious I don't want to have to cry or raise a stink to be seen in a reasonable amount of time.   My last experience was a doctor that only worked for that hospital on Thursdays.  It seems like this is typical, doctors that work at more than one hospital, teach, research etc.  

Any suggestions on how to go about this search?  If you use a doctor that you think fits, how long do you have to wait from when you call to make the appointment to when they are available?    

Comments

[curiositykt.livejournal.com]

I go to Harvard Vanguard where I have my primary care doctor, and when I need to see a doctor I call and say that I am willing to see a nurse practitioner and they can generally get something that week. And if it's serious, they set me up with one of the doctors that works with my doctor's team.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

I agree with the rec for Harvard Vanguard. I see Dr. Angel there, but really I'm told they're all good, and the whole org is primary-care focused so they put a lot of emphasis on that. Plus, right next to the T. (Other locations also available.)

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

I see Dr. Angel too and he's pretty great. Never had to wait more than a couple of days for a non-specialist appointment but I admittedly have easy hours to accommodate as I work from home.

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

I also go to Harvard Vanguard & when I've called because I'm sick & need scene right away they have always gotten me in that day. As long as you call before 10am they can always find a way to squeeze you in. There was one day that I didn't get sick till 3:30 and they had me in the office by 4pm - that's unheard of in modern medicine anymore, I was pretty darn happy. For my yearly visits they always get me scheduled within 2 weeks of when I call.

[aredridel.livejournal.com]

+ 1 from here too. So far so good.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I also recommend HV. I see Dr. Hobbs, and have been exceedingly satisfied with the service there.

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

Doctor Bershel at Davis Sq. Family practice has seen me or my daughter on less than an hour notice. She's usually the same day or the next day for urgent stuff and same week for "well, this is kinda weird" stuff. She's usually running late for appointments, though. Some people hate that. But I've never seen a doctor who ISN'T late, so it doesn't bug me that much.

Her Nurse Practitioner, Marie, is awesome.

She is in an office right next to Starbucks in Davis.

[rikchik.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I usually see Marie unless there's something specifically doctorish needed, and when I call and say "I have a problem" they are always able to call me back to discuss it within a day, and can usually see me in a day or so.

[littlecitynames.livejournal.com]

The doctors at the Marino Center on Mass Ave in North Cambridge (just off the bike path) tend to have openings within 1-2 weeks. I see other doctors in the practice. The primary care doctors aren't there early enough or late enough for me to go before/after work/class, or else I would go to them as well.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

All of you that use "Harvard Vanguard" which location are you referring to? Their website seems to show many locations. Does just saying "Harvard Vanguard" imply a certain location?

[belladonna.livejournal.com]

There's a Harvard Vanguard in Davis, so I assume they're referring to that one unless otherwise specified. My mom goes to the Davis location and really likes it.

My GP is at the Post Office Square location and anytime I've called, I've been able to either see my doctor same-day, another one, or, worst case, given an appointment at their urgent care at Kenmore (which is actually right next to the Fenway stop on the D-line.) I've also been able to get in last minute at other locations when I've been closer to one of those, such as the Wellesley practice.

So basically, one more A+ for Harvard Vanguard. :)

[visage.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell, there's only one Somerville office, and it's right on top of Davis Square. This being the Davis Square livejournal, I think it's a safe bet people are talking about that one.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I have had the same "call and say 'I'd like to see someone today'" experience with the Harvard Vanguard locations in Fenway, West Roxbury, and Cambridge as I have with the Somerville location.

I assume this would also work at the Medford location.

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

I was referring to the Davis Square branch. I have also gotten excellent care at Wellesley (where I work) and West Roxbury when I had to see a specialist (The Davis Sq. docs at HV felt this other doctor in W. Roxbury was the best for my particular injury & I was glad that they wanted to make sure I got the best care possible)

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Sorry -- I meant the one in Davis Sq.

[808.livejournal.com]

I've used the Davis (OBGYN[wife], physical therapy), Cambridge/Harvard Square (IM) and Watertown (OBGYN, Pediatrician) Vanguard offices and all were good experiences. Note they also have one in Medford square too.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

I can also add a rec for the Harvard Vanguard branch near Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Same thing as what other folks are reporting with what I assume is the Davis Square branch: when I've had medical issues that shouldn't wait until I can get an appointment with my PCP, I've called them and asked for an appointment with a NP, and they've always managed to get me in to see someone within 24 hours.

(Their NPs all seem to be awesome, too. I've seen, I think, three different NPs in two or three years, and they were great.)

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

Most doctor practices have a fairly ridiculously long time for non-emergency exams (like annual checkups, routine bloodwork, etc). However, if you find a specific highly recommended doctor, or group practice, and you go through the first long-wait exam, you are then a "patient" of theirs. So if you have something that requires instant care (i.e. the flu, or an earache, etc) they will see you That Day (if you call in the morning). If you have a suspicious lump or other non-instant care item, and let them know you NEED to see the doctor ASAP, you will likely get in within the week.

But if you don't have a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and you out of the blue want to see a doctor Right Away, you will likely have issues. Your best bet then would be to go to a group practice, like Vanguard, and just get Whoever Is Available.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I first signed up with Harvard Vanguard Davis, it was 1-2 months before my general checkup, but I got seen same day or next day for an urgent issue before that.

They don't take Neighorhod Health Plan Commonwealth Care from new patients, by the way. There's some list of insurance they do and don't take, but I know that one.

[belladonna.livejournal.com]

I had the same experience with regards to getting a general check up after a first-time sick visit. I thought I had mono, was new to the area, and was desperate to see someone. I called PO Square and they set me up with a same-day visit and a physical a couple of months after all within the same phonecall.

I really can't say enough about HVMA, any of the locations. I don't think I've ever had a bad experience, and I've been to a lot of specialists and had some odd issues.

It's awesome to, say, be able to get in to the Kenmore urgent care because you think you have a sprain and be able to just go down a floor and get x-rays while you wait.

[turil.livejournal.com]

I've always use the Joseph M Smith Health Center over in Lower Alston on Western Ave. I don't believe you have to be an Alston resident to be seen there (I never was, but I was dating someone who was, and that might have been how I got in). I had an official primary care doctor, who was indeed only there once a week. But I could always just go in any day and be seen by someone, as long as I got there in the morning.

[whowehavetofear.livejournal.com]

I go to Union Square Family Health and can always easily get an appointment.
http://www.challiance.org/locations/union_square.shtml

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I have traditionally had very good luck using Nurse Practitioners as my PCPs instead of doctors. I find that their availability is much greater, they can spend more time with you on each visit, and can do just about anything that a GP doctor can do.

As to who to pick, I can't really help. All of mine have been at MIT Medical, and you have to work there or be a student as far as I know. But certainly there are plenty of them in the area.

[in-water-writ.livejournal.com]

I see Dr. Parra Tomkins in Ball Square: http://www.hallmarkhealth.org/ballsquare.html

New patients have a couple of weeks wait time for their initial checkup, I think, but after your first visit, if you need a sick visit, you can likely get one same day or next day. I once needed a last minute appointment before going on a trip, and she was able to get me in the next day, a few hours before I was leaving. She's been really great, and she's the PCP for several people in my social circle.

[in-water-writ.livejournal.com]

Also their Medford clinic has weekend hours. The buses are not awesome, but you can call in the morning and get a same day appointment with no trouble at all.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I take my daughter there too. Her associate Leanne Lee has been great too, and (in my experience) there's less wait time for an appt with her.

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

I go to Somerville Family Practice. My experience is that, as long as I'm willing to see whichever doctor or--more likely--nurse practitioner is available that day, they can usually get me in within 48 hours.

[geekchik.livejournal.com]

I can't say enough good things about this practice--they're so friendly and accommodating.