[sh0n]

This thread about Family Doctors in Vancouver. I would truly appreciate if anyone can recommend me a professional, friendly and reliable family doctor.

I had a family doctor for 25+ years but he has since retired, as a result I'm in search of and have been jumping from doctor to doctor in the last 2-3 years and here is what I notice:

1. Vancouver Doctor's are often on their high horse. They are rudest, unfriendly and ignorant people I've ever met in my life.
2. The doctors and their receptionist know nothing about customer service. I would arrive for an appointment at 1:00 and often have to wait a good 15-30 minutes only for a rushed 5 minute consultation - cause the doctor wants to move on to the next patient.
3. Most doctor's do not accept new patients - is this even LEGAL?

Sorry for my rant but I've had a string of bad events that happened to me with my last doctor. I'll leave her unnamed but some of the antics she pulls:

1. During our consultation, I would talk about what I'm suffering from. However the doctor would leave the room with an excuse pretending to get her prescription pad or patient record and return with a diagnostic. I'm certain that she is going back to her office to read up about it on the internet or in her medical books. I've had this happen EVERYTIME I had an appointment with her.
2. I had an appointment at 12:50pm and was late by 10 minutes due to traffic and she fucking left the office!!!! I know I may be wrong for being late - but I made plans to go see the doctor - took time off. The least the doctor or receptionist can do is give me a courtesy phone call letting me know. I had absolutely no waring hat the Doctor was going to leave the office at 1:00pm sharp!

Thanks for hearing this out.

I would love to hear if any other RS'ers are having the same problems with doctors in Vancouver because I really see these things as being a common problem.

[eurochevy]

heres a hint...not everyone has a family doctor..deal with it, everyone else does, leave early like you do for work so you arn't late for appointments and also its a family doctor they can only see so many people..thats why there are clinics, and last but not least if they are the rudest then go somewhere else and stop ur bitching

[6insomnia9]

My family doctor is Dr.Donna in the 41 and oak building. Everyone in my family that lives in the lower mainland goes to her.

[Roach]

Good thread. And I can relate to how you feel. I haven't had a family doctor in my many many years now. Only use walk-in clinics when necessary but it sucks because they don't know your medical history.

I gave up looking for a new family doctor because of the last two:

- First family doctor lost his practice because he was caught fondling a woman while she was sedated lol.

- The second doctor was strange. One time I went in because I had an eye infection. The doctor somehow asked me to unbutton my shirt. I'm thinking, wtf? He insisted. I thought he was going to check my heart rate or something. Instead, he tells me I have some skin infection. I'm thinking, wtf does this have to do with my eye? He prescribed me some skin cream and and told me to wait a day or two for my eye. WTF.

I went a second time for something else, and once again he tried to tell me something was wrong with my skin. I ended up walking out.

Turns out a few months later he lost his practice as he had some business affiliation to a skin care products company.

I know there are great family doctors out there. Just haven't found one yet and gave up trying lol.

Kev

[kazuki]

1. Some conditions are not easily diagnosed or there are many different drugs to use to treat. New studies come out all the time on whats the best way to treat a certain condition. Personally I would much rather have them double check their references and get treated properly than have them give me a quick diagnosis and not get it right. Its not always as simple as picking drug A for condition B.

2. Don't be late.

[Presto]

Most doctors will stop accepting new patients when they have enough patients to keep them busy. Others, like Dr. Henry Leung, will seemingly take on whoever can get through the door, and then you end up having to wait 3 hours, on a good day. My family doctor for the past 15 years has been excellent. He's located in Coquitlam. The receptionist is nice, and the doctor is really friendly and knowledgeable. The most I've had to wait is 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, it looks like it's only the n00bs that are still taking new patients. All the experienced veterans have all the patients they can handle. You should bring a laptop to your doctor, next time, so you can tell her she can WebMD that shit there, and also forward you the link.

[Jsunu]

Sucks that my family doctor is semi-retired.

Sigh.... gone are the days where you have a phyiscian that you see for years and knows your personal medical history.

I see more and more people switching over to clinics because of this. Pretty soon, we might not see that "family" doctor mentality.

[drunkrussian]

i completely agree with you...but forget the rudeness...most family doctors or GPs in vancouver just try to get you out the door as fast as possible...they don't give two shits. Canadians say their healthcare system is so great, but as someone who has lived in 2 other (much MUCH poorer) countries before Canada, I completely disagree.

anyway, i go to dr. mackenzie in richmond westminster med clinic. He is one of the few doctors left in this city that gives a shit about his patients. He can be your family doctor (anyone can, you just tell them you want to register them as your family doc) but he is strictly drop-in. His schedule is shit (he owns the clinic and works only a couple days a week in the morning) and u gotta miss work and wait in a long line to get to him. everyone arrives 30 mins before the clinic opens to put their name down specifically for him because they know he is one of the few good doctors left in this city. The other doctors in the clinic stand around with no patients.

So yeah...either get a good doc and wait in line, or go to one of the many tools in this city that will watch you die and tell you there's nothing wrong.

[sh0n]

heres a hint...not everyone has a family doctor..deal with it, everyone else does, leave early like you do for work so you arn't late for appointments and also its a family doctor they can only see so many people..thats why there are clinics, and last but not least if they are the rudest then go somewhere else and stop ur bitching

Lotta hate in the reply there.

I ain't bitching - merely stating the facts and what I've observed from Family doctors in the past 2-3 years.

[sh0n]

Good thread. And I can relate to how you feel. I haven't had a family doctor in my many many years now. Only use walk-in clinics when necessary but it sucks because they don't know your medical history.

I gave up looking for a new family doctor because of the last two:

- First family doctor lost his practice because he was caught fondling a woman while she was sedated lol.

- The second doctor was strange. One time I went in because I had an eye infection. The doctor somehow asked me to unbutton my shirt. I'm thinking, wtf? He insisted. I thought he was going to check my heart rate or something. Instead, he tells me I have some skin infection. I'm thinking, wtf does this have to do with my eye? He prescribed me some skin cream and and told me to wait a day or two for my eye. WTF.

I went a second time for something else, and once again he tried to tell me something was wrong with my skin. I ended up walking out.

Turns out a few months later he lost his practice as he had some business affiliation to a skin care products company.

I know there are great family doctors out there. Just haven't found one yet and gave up trying lol.

Kev

Thank you Kev for sharing your experiences.

I just wanted to know what other people are experience and it seems like we are in the same boat - have yet to find a good family doctor.

At this point I might just resort to walk in clinics.

[bcrdukes]

Can't relate to your experience but my family has been going to our doctor for 27 years. I was afraid he was going to retire but turns out he doesn't plan on doing so for a while. He claims a lot of veteran doctors won't accept new patients because many of them are getting old and can no longer keep up so they refuse new patients.

Should your doctor plan on retiring soon, my family doctor recommended one should ask for a referral if possible rather than go on a wild goose chase.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I had my family doctor for more than 20years. He seems pretty good. But he only really say take some rest and come back 2 weeks later.

My mom have been having back pain due to work for sometime already yet he still refuse to issue any medicine or sick pay. My mom went to my grandmother's family doctor and she just send my mom to do some X-rays and find out she had some issue and should no longer work.

Overall, I haven't seen my family doctor for years and years. No need to see a doctor when I am fine. However, I do hope he learns his lesson and actually listen to the patient instead of just sending them home to rest O_o

[Lomac]

I haven't had a family doctor since my former one went to Kosovo after the war in order to help all of the injured Albanians (so.... since '99, I guess?). I've gone through many attempts in the GVRD to find a new doctor, though I've had no luck finding a good replacement one. Since '99, I've been hoping walk-in clinics in hopes of finding a decent replacement. Unfortunately most of those have been pretty bad (one diagnosed me with a form as asthma, which almost cost me my life... I had sever bronchitis that bordered on pneumonia... and another told me I needed a hernia surgery and tried to book me an appointment with the hospital even though I had absolutely no symptoms of one, a fact that was pointed out by my old specialist).

Finding a good family doctor is super hard...

[Great68]

I lost my family doctor when I moved to the island, and have been doing the clinic thing since. It sucks because he was pretty much my family doctor since birth, he is my mom, dad and sister's doctor so he pretty much knows all the hereditary diseases going on in my family. You don't get much better medical history than that.

At least I found a good dentist quickly.

[CorneringArtist]

My family doctor barely comes in, so I've been gambling on walk-ins for some time now. They're DECENT, but it takes an insanely long time to wait. I waited an hour and a half in a room with a viral infection that had me feeling like shit, only to be told that and issued a prescription in 5 minutes.

[Alphamale]

My family doctor barely comes in, so I've been gambling on walk-ins for some time now. They're DECENT, but it takes an insanely long time to wait. I waited an hour and a half in a room with a viral infection that had me feeling like shit, only to be told that and issued a prescription in 5 minutes.

....what were you expecting?

A half-hour consultation or something? Perhaps you would have done a better job yourself?

:whistle:

The question is, did the medication work?

[jaguar604]

Most GPs come out of med school at the bottom of the barrel. Any decent doctors will go on and specialize in a field.

[k3mps]

my family doc is Dr.Gu at the clinic by bubble world on kingsway.
reception may not be great, and you will have to endure lines, but he is an amazing doctor.
i believe he is on that tv show on the chinese network sometimes? clarify if i'm wrong.
he's great, focuses on you, doesn't leave for dumb reasons and knows his stuff.

[LW]

Sounds like a tough situation, though I'd rather someone check fact to ensure accuracy than feign authority on the topic and misdiagnose me.

[SoNaRWaVe]

IIRC, most doctors have a limited amount of patients they can take in. It is up to them if they want to take in anymore patients. My family doctor takes in no new patients unless it is recommended or part of the family.

If doctors keep taking in patients, it is impossible to give their best care for each one of their patients. That is why they don't hear you out and just want to keep moving on to the next patient. In my opinion, that is just them wanting to make more money and not really caring for their patients.

[rsx]

haven't had a family doctor for at least 15 years. I just go to walk-in clinics.

[CorneringArtist]

....what were you expecting?

A half-hour consultation or something? Perhaps you would have done a better job yourself?

:whistle:

The question is, did the medication work?

I'm not complaining about the consultation because the meds worked (because he fucking suggested ADVIL...), but to keep me in a room for an hour and a half when I easily could have waited in the lobby and played "What does THAT guy have?", only to get told to take an OTC was a complete waste of time.

Keep in mind I don't like using WebMD too much because being a Google warrior might lead to misdiagnosis.

[tgill]

You complain about doctors not taking new patients, while also complaining that your own family doctor is rushing their patients.

Our population is aging, so naturally the health care system is going to be stressed. The baby boomer generation is getting older and there are a lot less doctors to go around.

My own family doctor who I have been seeing since a child is semi-retired and I'm lucky if I get an appointment.

Its simply logic that the days of the family doctor in Canada are numbered.

If you don't like your family doctor, start using a clinic.

[Bouncing Bettys]

My family doctor, who I have gone to since I was 1, retired recently and a doctor from South Africa took over his practice. It has taken some getting used to, especially since he sounds like the guy from District 9.

Doctors do like to rush you along so instead of coming to him with a bunch of problems, I get him on the most pressing ones and book another appointment to get the others. I can't expect him to cancel all his appointments for just me. He's doing what he can with the time he has.

[drunkrussian]

i gotta say its refreshing and eye opening to hear all these horror stories about docs in gvrd being total shit. i always thought i was alone in this. i was expectig to get flamed for my comments by some defensive asshole rs member who's a nurse or in med school or sth.

another good walk in clinic ive had a good experience with is stein medical clinic but only with doctor stein. the other docs there are morons especially this retarded south african dude with a hawaiian shirt.

also this site is pretty good:
ratemymd.ca

had a look at the reviews for the dude i use for my family doc and a few others and theyre pretty accurate i think?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[TRDood]

You need the doctor more than he needs you. Simple.

My family doctor makes me wait for at least 1 hour. I find that it's the chinese ones that overbook. My physio who is white is 80% on time.

I prefer going to the drop in clinic on Broadway and Heather. UBC student doctors run the place and they seem to know their shit. Older doctors just seem to tell you whatever they feel like.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Gh0stRider]

ya, my family doctor retired too.

all i got is the drop in clinic. :(

[iEatClams]

I can relate from my dealings with shietty doctors. I barely go to the doctors except usually to take my mom or dad when they need to see the doc.

I can sorta understand from the doctors point of view as they get a lot of dumbass patients that come in thinking they are going to die when all they have is a small cold or bruise.

Here are some of my examples:

+ 1 for going to see the doctor and he only sees you for like 25 seconds and then bam heres your prescription, next patient. I'm like wtf, how did you prescribe me medicine when you barely asked any questions?

# 2. Another doctor one time when I was younger with my mom opens up this BIG Dictionary looking thing which I assume now must be some sort of medical encyclopedia and looked up info on it right in front of me. WTF??? What I had wasn't even rare or anything either.

# 3. This same doctor as # 2 had blood stains on his waiting room wall for longest time (at least 10 months). I switched doctors so I don't even know if he still has it.

4. Doctor poorly and incorrectly diagnosed my mom and we had to go back the next week. If he had taken more than the 2 mins to ask the right questions then maybe he would have gotten the diagnosis right the first time, saving my him, my mom and I time.

[iEatClams]

Another note,

I find that in Vancouver. In my opinion only, that the caucasian doctors provide better service, diagnosis, and show more sincerity than asian doctors.

It may be that most Asian doctors, from my perspective, only become doctors because :

1. there parents force or encourage them to become one
2. they are only doing it for money

and therefore they dont seem to care when they see you.

I use to have an asian doctor who was really good (he at least appeared like he wants to help you), but sadly he retired.

[dignatas]

my family doctor is semi retired and is his brain is not functioning the same as it use too...

Andrew Louie in hastings near china town. He is a VERY nice guy but recently he keeps on blabbing about when you get old, you will never experience *this* stuff... basically talking about how being old SUCKS...

very nice doctor but his office is very dirty too. Had an ant farm living inside the clinic rofl... But hey, it is east hastings.

[k3mps]

Another note,

I find that in Vancouver. In my opinion only, that the caucasian doctors provide better service, diagnosis, and show more sincerity than asian doctors.

It may be that most Asian doctors, from my perspective, only become doctors because :

1. there parents force or encourage them to become one
2. they are only doing it for money

and therefore they dont seem to care when they see you.

I use to have an asian doctor who was really good (he at least appeared like he wants to help you), but sadly he retired.

most asian people trust asian doctors, so im guessing that's why they are so rushed all the time. when i went to the clinic by my house, most of the people in there were asian and the asian doctors were fully booked while the white guys were just taking walk ins.

[dim_sum]

i think that's pretty good wait times... my doctor made me wait 2 hours once...

This thread about Family Doctors in Vancouver. I would truly appreciate if anyone can recommend me a professional, friendly and reliable family doctor.

I had a family doctor for 25+ years but he has since retired, as a result I'm in search of and have been jumping from doctor to doctor in the last 2-3 years and here is what I notice:

1. Vancouver Doctor's are often on their high horse. They are rudest, unfriendly and ignorant people I've ever met in my life.
2. The doctors and their receptionist know nothing about customer service. I would arrive for an appointment at 1:00 and often have to wait a good 15-30 minutes only for a rushed 5 minute consultation - cause the doctor wants to move on to the next patient.
3. Most doctor's do not accept new patients - is this even LEGAL?

Sorry for my rant but I've had a string of bad events that happened to me with my last doctor. I'll leave her unnamed but some of the antics she pulls:

1. During our consultation, I would talk about what I'm suffering from. However the doctor would leave the room with an excuse pretending to get her prescription pad or patient record and return with a diagnostic. I'm certain that she is going back to her office to read up about it on the internet or in her medical books. I've had this happen EVERYTIME I had an appointment with her.
2. I had an appointment at 12:50pm and was late by 10 minutes due to traffic and she fucking left the office!!!! I know I may be wrong for being late - but I made plans to go see the doctor - took time off. The least the doctor or receptionist can do is give me a courtesy phone call letting me know. I had absolutely no waring hat the Doctor was going to leave the office at 1:00pm sharp!

Thanks for hearing this out.

I would love to hear if any other RS'ers are having the same problems with doctors in Vancouver because I really see these things as being a common problem.

[b0unce. [?]]

I've been seeing my family doctor (dr. angela lee) all my life, her office used to be near fraser and 23rd iirc... her father used to run the joint until he retired and passed on the place to his daughter. anyways she moved to a bigger building and merged with some walk-in clinics near broadway and cambie. it's now called crossroads or something like that, it's just above the london drugs there. i can't stand going to walk in clinics, i hate waiting over an hour to see the doctor. i still phone in and book appointments to see her instead of doing drop ins.

but yeah she's extremely nice and honest about everything. tells me exactly whats wrong and breaks it down for me. she'll be straightforward and tell you whether or not you'll be wasting money on expensive overrated products etc. i've told my doctor the symptoms i had and told her that i went online to seek advice and explained my end result after trying it, before i finished my sentence she told me what i saw online was wrong. She explained everything to me and told me the correct way and stuff. her receptionist has been with her since she opened. she as well is incredibly nice and polite. i've referred some friends to my doctor and they have said nothing but good things about her.

but yeah i can see how it's frustrating finding a good family doctor.

[Slifer]

Good thread. And I can relate to how you feel. I haven't had a family doctor in my many many years now. Only use walk-in clinics when necessary but it sucks because they don't know your medical history.

I gave up looking for a new family doctor because of the last two:

- First family doctor lost his practice because he was caught fondling a woman while she was sedated lol.

- The second doctor was strange. One time I went in because I had an eye infection. The doctor somehow asked me to unbutton my shirt. I'm thinking, wtf? He insisted. I thought he was going to check my heart rate or something. Instead, he tells me I have some skin infection. I'm thinking, wtf does this have to do with my eye? He prescribed me some skin cream and and told me to wait a day or two for my eye. WTF.

I went a second time for something else, and once again he tried to tell me something was wrong with my skin. I ended up walking out.

Turns out a few months later he lost his practice as he had some business affiliation to a skin care products company.

I know there are great family doctors out there. Just haven't found one yet and gave up trying lol.

Kev

Man, that woman must have been smoking hot for the doctor to risk his career. :lol

[godwin]

If you guys are worried that your family doctor is going to move / retire. Request a copy of your medical records before he/she folds. Or else you have to pay for the retrieval of the records from storage. When you get tests done, also remember you can request to have a copy of the test results mailed to your home, it is your right (should be a responsibility IMO) to keep records yourself too.

Doctors have the right to refuse taking on any patients, just like any business. However most places the decision is up to his/her staff. Be nice and put up with the receptionists etc. unless you want to wait forever. I notice some older Asian people shower front line staff them with gifts.

If doctors want in for the money, they will also also be selling procedures like Botox etc. things that are not covered by the MSP. They make it really obvious when you walk into the clinic. It is just like people wanting to go to dealerships on Kingsway to buy a car. Just because the dealerships are there, but it doesn't mean you have to go there!

There should be more family doctors coming down the line, because the Gov increased med school positions, they didn't increase post doc positions (ie specialties like surgery etc). More new doctors are forced into family medicine, because you need a minimum of a family med residency to enable you to use the title MD. (You can argue about the quality of whether some doctors want to be a family doctors in the first place). It is actually very hard for new med graduates to come to Vancouver because competition is very fierce.

I always think Health Education at schools didn't keep up with the times and teach students how to get health service / how to describe symptoms etc. If people take personal responsibilities on things like health, we won't be stuck with a huge bill as a society.

[godwin]

They usually don't think they would get caught.. case in point.. Senator Weiner?

Man, that woman must have been smoking hot for the doctor to risk his career. :lol

[Eff-1]

This site will tell you which doctors in BC are accepting new patients:

https://www.cpsbc.ca/node/263

[ilvtofu]

I just went to Sammy Lee @ continental 2 weeks ago and I know what you mean. Receptionist really have no customer service experience and he is a pretty rude/blunt guy. Told me that if I had unprotected sex with GF she could get pregnant... thank you captain obvious. Overall he has a serious attitude problem and seems arrogant, I only went to him because he's the only one I know/been to before.

I've always gone to a pediatric since I was a toddler but mom says I've outgrown him. He's awesome Dr. Cheng @ broadway medical building, very professional old school doc with a professional looking office.

I rarely see the doctor anymore though but I thought I had a serious bladder infection, turns out it was nothing lol

[Ikkaku]

It's the simple fact that the better/caring doctors get a lot of clients through word of mouth. If a family member or a friend asked for recommendation, I am not going to tell them to go to a random half-assed doctor, or a walk-in clinic if my own GP is good. After a certain amount of recommendations, a doctor can only take so many clients, thus they stop taking in new patients.

IIRC doctors have a limit on the amount of patients they can see in a day, or at least get paid to do so. A lot of people studied to be a doctor because it is generally known as a high paying occupation. In a perfect world, we would all have GP's who care about us, but reality is, there are only so many of them that actually care about our well-being.

As well, many of the medical graduates go elsewhere to work because they get paid better. I remember there was a article a while back talking about all the grads leaving for USA after completing their program. There are only so many doctors to choose from, and again, most have a full list of patients due to word of mouth.

[Meowjin]

Anyone have dr.yue on kingsway and joyce?

Great family doctor.

I hope he doesn't retire. He got his med degree in the early 1970's. I'd be devistated :(

[twitchyzero]

Most GPs come out of med school at the bottom of the barrel. Any decent doctors will go on and specialize in a field.

lol...nice assumption.
There are many 'decent' doctors that choose family practice before they even got accepted into medical school.

hate the game, not the players

I know so many folks thinks doctors are not caring etc..but one should try working/volunteering at a doctor's office and see how much they get worked and the shit they have to put up with (it's amazing how much patience they can still have at the end of the day)

I do have to agree that asian-predominate offices do have longer waittimes, probably because these C-lais are such worrywarts over nothing and each eat up so much schedule times.

[quasi]

I got a new Doctor about 3 years ago and he's totally awesome, he'd my age to so he'll be around for a while. If I drop in I might have a 30 min wait if I make an appointment might be 10. Even the Doctor I had before this (Just switched cause I moved 40 mins away) was pretty awesome as well.


I have had some bad experiences with Drop in doctors where they rush you out but I've had some good experiences to. I even had one who I only seen once call me at home a few days later to see how the medication was working because he was concerned about me.

[Valour]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHKTE75dgE4

I had a hot female asian doctor perform mine. Sooooo lucky!

[Mercy]

My mom was having shoulder pains and for the longest time he wouldn't send my mom to get xrayd or what ever at the hospital. Finally he sends her after a couple months of my mom complaining. Turns out she had lung cancer. Who knows. Maybe 2 months in advance they would have been able to try anything instead of nothing.
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[Meowjin]

My mom was having shoulder pains and for the longest time he wouldn't send my mom to get xrayd or what ever at the hospital. Finally he sends her after a couple months of my mom complaining. Turns out she had lung cancer. Who knows. Maybe 2 months in advance they would have been able to try anything instead of nothing.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

My mom died due to misdiagnosis imo, but I'm not holding my doctor accountable.

[parm104]

You're going to a Doctor's Office, not a Future Shop, you're looking for customer service? They're educated, they've dedicated their lives to helping others and they save lives...Customer service?? Agreed, a receptionist should be polite and courteous but a doctor's job is to focus on your health, not on whether or not they have manners.

Do you think that a doctor purposely keeps you waiting? No...Do you know how short we are of doctors as it is right now? Of course the doctor's office is going to be busy. You live in a BUSY metropolitan, NOT some rural town with a population of 30.

Also, doctors have EVERY right not to take on more patients. You already have SUCH long waiting times in the doctor's offices, what do you think will happen if the doctor's kept taking on more patients? LONGER WAITING PERIODS...

And you do know that a family (GP) doctor ONLY gets paid for 60 patients a day right? A physician used to be able to see any amount of patients a day, sometimes up to 80-90 were plausible. Now they can see a max of 60, if they want to get paid; any patient seen after that, is done out of their own expense.

[Meowjin]

You're going to a Doctor's Office, not a Future Shop, you're looking for customer service? They're educated, they've dedicated their lives to helping others and they save lives...Customer service?? Agreed, a receptionist should be polite and courteous but a doctor's job is to focus on your health, not on whether or not they have manners.

Do you think that a doctor purposely keeps you waiting? No...Do you how short we are of doctors as it is right now? Of course the doctor's office is going to be busy. You live in a BUSY metropolitan, NOT some rural town with a population of 30.

Also, doctors have EVERY right not to take on more patients. You already have SUCH long waiting times in the doctor's offices, what do you think will happen if the doctor's kept taking on more patients? LONGER WAITER PERIODS...

And you do know that a family (GP) doctor ONLY gets paid for 60 patients a day right? A physician used to be able to see any amount of patients a day, sometimes up to 80-90 were plausible. Now they can see a max of 60, if they want to get paid; any patient seen after that, is done out of their own expense.

I totally disagree. You don't want to go into a doctor's office feeling shittier than you do. Why do you think that doctors/nurses etc... have to do bioethics courses when they go to school? It's important to treat the patients courteously because ywhen someone is suffering they don't want to be treated like shit.

[static]

I understand your frustration with the medical system here in BC but perhaps you should realize there are some tradeoffs that are expected with socialized healthcare.

I can relate to your frustration of general practitioners being a)rushed for time b) being unfriendly. However, please realize that your doctor is there to (potentially) save your life. He/she is a professional that went to school to do just that and that should be priority one.

If their bed-side manner is not up to snuff, perhaps say something to them or write them a letter later. I promise if you do either, they will listen. However, realize that they need to see a lot of patients and if you are late, don't expect them to stay. Would you expect your hair dresser to stay late just because you can't keep an appointment? Secondly, just like a business your GP has to see a set amount of patients per day to remain financially viable. Perhaps you could try to write out all your questions/concerns prior to visiting the doctor to expedite the process for both parties.

If the doctors in Canada really cannot satisfy your needs, take a drive to Seattle and see a doctor there. I have found physiotherapists and doctors abroad to be less time pressured due to their higher billing rates, however, you should ensure that you are insured =).

[Windstar]

worst doctor ive been to, and is rude is the drop-in clinic close to broadway and commercial dr. diagnosed me wrong and i spent $60 in medicine.

one i went to that really listened to me and gave me a free sample of a sinus rinse is the Hycroft Medical Building, room 103. Nicest doctor ever! There are 3 family doctors in that room

[cho]

I've been going to dr Ma on main and 16th for the longest time, I think he's pretty close to retiring :(
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[TheKingdom2000]

I have never once have seen my doctor on time. If my appointment is at 1pm, I arrive at 12:55pm, and wait until 1:30pm...
this is just how it is for my doctor. It seems like he always over books. I am always waiting

[taylor192]

Good thread. And I can relate to how you feel. I haven't had a family doctor in my many many years now. Only use walk-in clinics when necessary but it sucks because they don't know your medical history.

I find the clinics easier cause I can just walk in and see a doctor in usually 30 mins or less. I particularly like the Cross Roads Clinic at Cambie/Broadway - new, clean, low wait times, and lots of eager young doctors.

[drunkrussian]

Another note,

I find that in Vancouver. In my opinion only, that the caucasian doctors provide better service, diagnosis, and show more sincerity than asian doctors.


Speaking about GPs only (NOT specialized doctors): I've seen over 10 and 9 were white. All but 1 of the 10 provided equally shitty help and were equally shitty doctors. I think I would conclude that GPs are shit because people who give a shit become either specialized in something, or work in a hospital.

I would say though that asian doctors get rid of you by perscribing you with tons of pills that don't do anything, whereas a white doctor won't perscribe shit - tehy will tell you you're fine and to walk it off. Both retarded, no use comparing shit to shit.

[Jermyzy]

If you're looking for a family doctor, there's a link in the College of Physicians of BC of doctors who are accepting new patients.

https://www.cpsbc.ca/node/263

edit: Oops, didn't see it was posted already on previous page

[AzNightmare]

Wait only 15-30 mins?
I arrive on time, and I end up waiting an hour sometimes just to talk for 5 mins.
Sometimes I wonder what's going on with the patient that's ahead of me.
They can take 45 mins. And my doctor is always backed up. Since I live close to my
doctor's office, I just call the receptionist and ask her when's a better time to come in despite my appointment.
And she'll then tell me how backed up my doctor is, and when's a better time to come.
The appointment is useless. It's just to get my name in the book, but I never expect the timing to be accurate anymore.

[Fcukedd]

Anyone have dr.yue on kingsway and joyce?

Great family doctor.

I hope he doesn't retire. He got his med degree in the early 1970's. I'd be devistated :(

I had him since I was born, and I agree he's a great doctor.

My entire family (cousins, aunties, uncles) goes to him. There's another (female) doctor who works with him too. I forgot her name. :(

[AlphaKappa]

I"ll be a better doctor than that, ... in 7 years frick

[bakasam]

I would say though that asian doctors get rid of you by perscribing you with tons of pills that don't do anything, whereas a white doctor won't perscribe shit - tehy will tell you you're fine and to walk it off. Both retarded, no use comparing shit to shit.

My family doctor is Asian and my family been seeing him for as long as I remembered. He never seems to want to provide us with prescription medicine and wants us to rest it off rather than taking pills.

Hes also not the best as my family always bitches about how he seems lazy or unwilling to help. But for me its been not a bad experience, I only see the family doctor when I know I know it is absolutely necessary like needing something prescribed or recommendation letter to a specialist (e.g Physio, Prescribed allergy medicines because the over the counter ones don't work).

If you know its something serious just hit up the ER or just ask the family doctor that you really think you should get it checked up by a specialist. Most times they won't say no.

The problem is there are too many people that see a family doctor for regular checkups or small things like a common cold or muscle aches etc. These people are the ones who clogs up the time for those who actually -need- to see one because the doctor can't simply refuse to see a patient. In reality those things just needs a couple days rest or can be dealt with by yourself (e.g Google the symptoms/treatment, Buy over the counter drugs, or use home made remedies)

[melloman]

Sounds all too familiar..

My doctors receptionists is really nice, and my doctor is okay. (Old-female)
She knows her shit though, but if your one to say "well I saw on the internet that...." she will yell at you.

It's normal to wait for her too, arrive at 12:50 for a 1pm appointment. And she won't see you until 1:15/1:20pm. And hey, if your late then you get bumped donw the line.

Unfortunate thing is my doctor barely takes in new patients. (She says strictly family members of existing patients) and if you ever want to go get a new doctor, doesn't seme too many out there are accepting patients. Lately my girlfriend onyl goes to clinics and it sums up to 3 things:

1) Hours of waiting
2) They don't know shit
3) They rush you out so fast that you can barely say 1 sentence

Doctors these days who practice by themselves are all about the money, not the people. Oh well.

[dasnowman]

I agree the medical system, Doctors, staff has really gone down the tubes. I find all that doctors want to is prescribe this and that. Had a neck injury, was given pain killers, then started getting neck spasms so was given anti-inflammatory, then I couldn't get to sleep because of all the drugs so of course was given sleeping pills.

Rather then trying to figure out what the problem is they like to just drug the hell out of you till you think it's gone away, but instead it gets worst and you liver starts dyeing.

Anyway I have switched to a ND (Natural Path-doctor) feeling way better and healthier. ND look and fine the issue or problem and help fix it vs MD just gives you drugs..... But for a bad cut or car accident of course I'll still go to a regular doctor.

[wouwou]

My family doctor of 8 years just moved to Ont.

I am out of Canada right now, and starting to panic because of this thread.

[twitchyzero]

Lately my girlfriend onyl goes to clinics and it sums up to 3 things:

1) Hours of waiting
2) They don't know shit
3) They rush you out so fast that you can barely say 1 sentence

Doctors these days who practice by themselves are all about the money, not the people. Oh well.

I can agree with you on the first point, but saying they don't know shit is a ridiculous claim. I can't stand people that think they are so well-informed because they know how to use webMD and treat their doctors like complete idiots. If they try to rush you out tell them you are still concerned/have questions regarding your visit.

Trust me, if the majority of the 'doctors these days' were all about the money, they wouldn't bother with 7+ years of intense training.

[Anjew]

I would say though that asian doctors get rid of you by perscribing you with tons of pills that don't do anything, whereas a white doctor won't perscribe shit - tehy will tell you you're fine and to walk it off. Both retarded, no use comparing shit to shit.

this is sooooooooo true... but not all are bad. just the really old ones that need to just fucking retire

[melloman]

I can agree with you on the first point, but saying they don't know shit is a ridiculous claim. I can't stand people that think they are so well-informed because they know how to use webMD and treat their doctors like complete idiots. If they try to rush you out tell them you are still concerned/have questions regarding your visit.

Trust me, if the majority of the 'doctors these days' were all about the money, they wouldn't bother with 7+ years of intense training.


"They wouldn't bother" huh? Your soooooooo well-informed that all doctors don't care about money? That's just as fucking ignorant as my comment. Do you have evidence to back that up?

I've personally gone to clinics in the Burnaby area for the past 4+ years with my gf. I personally have a great doctor I can rely on. The clinic doctors we go see don't really know too much at all when it comes to a lot of specific things. I NEVER SAID that I know a lot, I just like to have an idea of what could be wrong and I don't treat these doctors like shit. I don't go in there saying "your wrong I'm right." Just the fact that "Advil or Tylenol" doesn't always solve all the fucking body pains in the world.

Before you make fucking ignorant comments maybe you should think. Why would I say this, it's not a random post. Some people do think before they speak moron.

/you.

[drunkrussian]

I have another theory lol:

-if the receptionist is a nice young person who's really friendly, the doctor sucks shit
-if the receptionist is an old grumpy bitch that treats you like shit and needs to remove the cucumber out her ass already and just retired...then the doctor is a prolly a great one

lol

[twitchyzero]

"They wouldn't bother" huh? Your soooooooo well-informed that all doctors don't care about money? That's just as fucking ignorant as my comment. Do you have evidence to back that up?


Before you make fucking ignorant comments maybe you should think. Why would I say this, it's not a random post. Some people do think before they speak moron.

/you.

You do realized that you started the claim that 'doctors these days' only care about making money, right?

So why don't you back your initial claim. I am only speaking from personal experience as a health care professional and interacting with various doctors to the degree where I can grasp their general mentality (hell even those working in the rural areas). If they only wanted to make money they would've easily chosen another career rather than going through all that rigorous training.

Your rebuttal post is as fucking stupid as saying PROVE THAT I AM WRONG and/or IT DOESN'T EXIST. Anyone with post-secondary education will probably agree that's the most ambiguous way to counteract an argument.

[wouwou]

I have another theory lol:

-if the receptionist is a nice young person who's really friendly, the doctor sucks shit
-if the receptionist is an old grumpy bitch that treats you like shit and needs to remove the cucumber out her ass already and just retired...then the doctor is a prolly a great one

lol

that, is so true

[Nightwalker]

Same problems as the OP on the island :\

Loved my doctor when I was younger but he had health problems and retired. Current guy totally sucks.

[parm104]

I have another theory lol:

-if the receptionist is a nice young person who's really friendly, the doctor sucks shit
-if the receptionist is an old grumpy bitch that treats you like shit and needs to remove the cucumber out her ass already and just retired...then the doctor is a prolly a great one

lol

I hate when people don't just retired!

[PJ]

I have another theory lol:

-if the receptionist is a nice young person who's really friendly, the doctor sucks shit
-if the receptionist is an old grumpy bitch that treats you like shit and needs to remove the cucumber out her ass already and just retired...then the doctor is a prolly a great one

lol

+1.

My whole family in the Lower Mainland goes to Michael Leung on 41st and Victoria. Some of my cousins in Burnaby, Surrey, etc. go out of their way into Vancouver just to see him.

South west corner of 41st and Victoria, next to the asian grocery store.

He is a great doctor. Doesn't rush, always asks you if there's anything else you need, etc.

His receptionists can be kind of bitchy, but I guess that abides by the theory above, lol.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I think a lot of the times doctors don't have out mecidine other than telling you to take some pain killers or Tyneol is because is something goes wrong you can sue his/her Ass off.

Rather than taking the risk they usually send people to rest and take some Tyneols unless the issue contiunes.

[Gh0stRider]

OP, whos was your doc?

[kj604]

I am also on a hunt for a good family doctor. I got cut from my old one because he is about to retire and I have not had to see him for more than 5 years.

I've been resorting to drop-in clinics for the last 3 years or so, and i have to say they all suck. You wait at least 30min, if your lucky, and the doctor will barely give you 5 minutes of his time, then on to the next.

I'm curious, do they make their money for every patient they see?? Cause it sure seems that way. And has anyone noticed that they prescribe antibiotics for just about everything?

[kj604]

Anyway I have switched to a ND (Natural Path-doctor) feeling way better and healthier. ND look and fine the issue or problem and help fix it vs MD just gives you drugs..... But for a bad cut or car accident of course I'll still go to a regular doctor.

:woot2: I second that, I'm not a big fan of prescription drugs and not a believer in the whole chinese herbal soup thing (Shits Nasty). The only downside to a Natural Path is that you have to pay and their hella expensive, about $100 for half an hour where I went.

[quasi]

I'm curious, do they make their money for every patient they see?? Cause it sure seems that way.

Yes, they also have a maximum per day their allowed to see. Thats why you'll see clinics not taking any more patients late in the day. Many Doctors rifle through patients maxing out everyday.

[goo3]

I think a lot of the times doctors don't have out mecidine other than telling you to take some pain killers or Tyneol is because is something goes wrong you can sue his/her Ass off.

Rather than taking the risk they usually send people to rest and take some Tyneols unless the issue contiunes.

Maybe it's cuz there's no magic pill. You just need to let your body heal it.

[DinhNg]

if your looking for a family doctor, please avoid doctor bac si cat
he gives horrible diagnosis, he gave my moms friend the wrong diagnosis now she has intestinal cancer when it could've been treated 2 years ago but now she has only a month to live.
she turned so weak she can barely see all her friends that are mourning for her.

[Death2Theft]

Try this
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/30/time.worth.money.cohen/index.html?&hpt=hp_c2
(CNN) -- Elaine Farstad got antsy as she waited for her doctor, who was late for her scheduled appointment. Then she got downright impatient. Then, as nearly two hours passed, she got mad. Then she came up with an idea.

"I decided to bill the doctor," she says. "If you waste my time, you've bought my time."

When Farstad returned home, she figured out her hourly wage working as an IT specialist at Boeing in Everett, Washington. She doubled it for the two hours she'd spent in the waiting room, and mailed the invoice to her doctor.

"It's ludicrous -- why would I wait for free?" says Farstad, who is now an engineering graduate student at North Carolina State University. "Like we all learned in kindergarten, it's about respecting each other."

In years gone by, doctors would likely have scoffed at the suggestion they reimburse patients for time spent waiting. But Farstad's doctor sent her a check for $100, the full amount she requested, and some tardy doctors tell CNN they give patients money (or a gift) before the patient even asks.

"I love this!" says Dave deBronkart, co-chair of the Society for Participatory Medicine. "It's magnificent that some physicians are valuing patients' time. It's a commitment to designing a practice that truly serves patients."

Gifts from late doctors

The average wait time at doctors' offices in the United States is 24 minutes, according to a report released in 2010 by Press Ganey, a group that researches health care performance.

When he keeps patients waiting more than 15 minutes, Dr. Timothy Malia, a primary care physician in Fairport, New York, hands them a $5 bill. If patients in Eugene, Oregon, wait more than 10 minutes to see Dr. Pamela Wible, they receive a handmade soap or a bottle of lotion. When Dr. Cyrus Peikari, an internist in Dallas, recently had to miss a day of work because of a family emergency, he gave the patients whose appointments he canceled $50 at their next appointment.

One patient didn't want to take the check, but Peikari insisted. "I suggested to him, 'Your time is just as valuable, if not more so, than mine.' "

Not all doctors are so sympathetic. Farstad tells about another appointment. It was for 8 a.m. with her gynecologist, and she had to leave at 8:40 a.m. when the doctor still wasn't there. In the parking lot, she ran into the doctor, who was just getting out of her car.

"The doctor told me she had a little one and she was never in the office until ten to nine," she remembers. "I asked her why she scheduled appointments at 8 a.m., and she said to give the patients time to do paperwork. I was so mad I was shaking. I never went back to her."

What to do when your doctor keeps you waiting

Keep in mind that sometimes a situation is out of a doctor's control. For example, some doctors are instructed by their bosses to book patients at 15 minute increments to make more money, which means if one patient needs more time, the patients later in the day will get delayed.

If that's the case, and the doctor is perpetually late and you don't like waiting, you can try one of these approaches.


Of the six doctors Elaine Farstad sent an invoice to, three have paid.1. Send your doctor a bill

Here's an example of an invoice Farstad sent to a tardy physician. She says over the years she has billed six doctors who were more than 30 minutes late, and half have paid.

2. Find an on-time doctor

This map shows physicians who adhere to the tenets of the Ideal Medical Practices Organization, which encourages its doctors to be on time.

3. Schedule smartly

For example, try booking the first appointment after lunch. For more scheduling tips, read the previous Empowered Patient column: Waiting for the doctor... and waiting and waiting.

4. Mention the doctors in this article to your own doctor

Doctors might pay up pre-emptively if they hear their colleagues are doing the same, deBronkart says.

5. Blog about your doctor's lateness

DeBronkart, who blogs as "E-Patient Dave," wrote about his experience waiting 45 minutes to get an X-ray. He says the head of the radiology practice then called him and acknowledged they needed to change the way they scheduled patients.

[shenmecar]

Wow. I bet if we had that here, chinese elderly would all go c the doctor for the heck of it. So they all have to wait and get free money.
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[EndLeSS8]

My doctor used to be Dr. Peter Mah.

He is in Chinatown, and he is a TERRIBLE doctor, ughhhh. Unfortunately he is my grandma's doctor, and it's not possible for her to change doctors because he has had her file for so long already.

My doctor now is Dr. Fung, who is quite good.

[bbbj]

Gonna bring this thread back up.. Can anyone recommend me a non chinese doctor in richmond? Reason being is I've been going to the same clinic all my life, and the doc used to be good but ever since he started his plastic surgery side business he brought in a whole bunch of other doctors, so I've probably seen about 6 different doctors in the last few years and they all suck balls and now I have no more faith in asian doctors.

[Meowjin]

haha is this ironwood

the brown lady is awesome. I recommend her.