What do you look for in a doctor?

[shanetastic]

I recently found myself a new doctor, so I'm going in to talk with them sometime soon to get to understand them better.  I had a couple of choices to make, and I'm still worried I might have made the wrong choice in the doctor I chose.  Either way, I was just curious as to what YOU look for and prefer in your doctor.

My critera was the following:

Experienced with trans issues as a doctor
Dealt with many different patients
Small staff and personal care
Will go through insurance (does for the most part)
Well educated and a decent amount of years working with trans

I think that covers it for the most part, I of course could have forgotten something, but I was just curious what you all were mainly looking for.  I'll have a lot of questions for them when I meet them for the first time in a couple weeks here, but I just wanted some opinions to see when I do, if I found a good doctor this time or not.

[gothique11]

I think what you are looking for in a doctor is excellent.

A doctor who has worked with Trans patients is always a plus. I have a wonderful doctor who has worked with many trans paitents and he's wonderful. He's understanding and willing to work with me.

If your doctor hasn't worked with trans patients before, it would be a good idea to know if he's comfortable with the idea and willing to educate himself on trans issues, hormones and etc.  I know of a couple of people who couldn't find a doctor who worked with trans patients before, but the doctor was willing to take them on and learn during the process.

Good luck with your doctor,


--natalie

[Wing Walker]

Hi, Shanetastic,

Your criteria for finding a physician to help you with HRT are excellent and well thought-out.  I wish you quick success in your search.

I found my HRT doc after talking with some women who were on HRT, mainly post-op who knew this doctor personally.  He is an internist, specialist in gastroenterology, accepts insurance for most things, close to my work, and experienced with transsexual HRT and its many facets. 

IMHO, nothing beats a referral from a doctor's other patients.

Good hunting!

Wing Walker

[TreeFlower]

I look for a staff that doesn't point and laugh when you leave.   Interesting to note, the only one I told was the doctor.  She didn't waste any time telling the staff.  I never went back to that doctor and I heard she quit.   ...or was forced to quit.

I value professionalism the most in a doctor.

[Lori]

I assume you are talking about a Dr. for HRT correct?

I looked for the same and ended up with an OBG/YN of all people. Very experienced and a wonderful staff. Sometimes I feel like they roll out the red carpet for me and any shame or embarassment I have felt has come from within myself. This Dr. has been helping TS transition since the 70's and has learned a great deal about them and is so confident we are not crazy he has lobbied for the cause on several occasions and has trained his staff to treat TS with respect. I couldnt ask for anything more in a Dr. He's kind, caring, understanding, and just a really nice guy.

[seldom]

Honestly, if you live in a big city just go to a LGBT center.  It may not have a small staff, but you are garunteed to have a doctor with significant experience with trans people.  Also, even if your policy has a trans exclusion, it will probably be in network for your insurance company.
Its the cheapest way to do HRT, and probably the best.  The doctors outside of these centers are usually overpriced and not covered by insurance.
This is just my experience. 

[lisagurl]

Pretty eyes.

[Berliegh]

What do you look for in a doctor?

Experience, intelligence, technical knowledge and understanding.......one day I might find one..

[shanetastic]

Hehe I'm hoping I might find one as well.  We'll see how this new one turns out.

[Kat]

I was actually told about my doctor through my therapist.  Many of my therapists patients had good experiences with her.  I was worried at first because when I initially called, there was a waiting list until September to even see her (we called in May), but luckily my therapist called her a couple times and pulled some strings and I got in much sooner.  My doctor is awesome and has definitely had tons of experience.  Although if my doctor was Dr. McDreamy instead I probably wouldn't complain 

[shanetastic]

I was actually told about my doctor through my therapist.  Many of my therapists patients had good experiences with her.  I was worried at first because when I initially called, there was a waiting list until September to even see her (we called in May), but luckily my therapist called her a couple times and pulled some strings and I got in much sooner.  My doctor is awesome and has definitely had tons of experience.  Although if my doctor was Dr. McDreamy instead I probably wouldn't complain 

Haha yeah my was reccomended by people that have dealt with her, and she works alone which I think might be nice, I'm not sure yet though.  I made an app in November, so hopefully it will be a pleasant experience *hopes*  My therapist didn't know any in our area so I had to do my own looking.  And I guess it was true, I have to drive like two and a half hours away to see this one *sigh*

[tinkerbell]

My critera was the following:

Experienced with trans issues as a doctor
Dealt with many different patients
Small staff and personal care
Will go through insurance (does for the most part)
Well educated and a decent amount of years working with trans

I like your criteria .  Everyone should be looking for the same thing.  In the long run, it does make all the difference in the world...

tink

[shanetastic]

Thanks everyone.

I'm glad my critera was somewhat useful hehe.  Hopefully this doctor will be worth keeping, driving 3 hours it better be!

[Berliegh]

I was actually told about my doctor through my therapist. 

It would be nice to find one of those as well...