Seeing a Doctor, Finding a New Doctor, Parents in Way...uhhh please respond?
Hi. I just turned 18 last week and had a question. Actually I realized that I have not had a "real" physical or check up or anything like that since I was last 5 years old. I have had physicals for like school sports and stuff that need papers signed for, but those I believe are not complete physicals cause it's just basically checking to see if ur heart and lungs, and ears and stomach are fine. I don't think I've had a urine/blood test since I was last five...or anything like that for awhile. The thing is I still have a pediatrition because just recently I turned 18. My pediatrition is always super busy so it's not like I've really gotten to talk to her or anything at all. So I was talking to my mother telling her I need to find a new doc because I am no longer a pediatrics case anymore. And she just basically said not many people have regular general/family practioners and that I really don't need one cause I don't get sick. But for me, I'd really like to find a nice doctor that I can get to know, and that can get to know me, so I can see them regularly when I need to. Because I'm still 18 and am still a college student, I don't have my own insurance or anything so all of my doctors visits and stuff are billed to my father, and my insurance is the one that my father's company provides, so I can't just go all out on my own and hunt, cause then they'd end up with a bill and ask why I went and stuff. I'm not sick or anything at all, I don't drink, have sex, smoke none of that bad stuff. I just like to know what's going on with my body and myself. So what approach should I take to this? Thanks so much in advance.
Sounds as though you have two objectives: a) getting a baseline of your health; and, b) getting your own doctor. Here are some ideas/arguments:
Baseline -
Despite the expense, having baseline readings [while healthy] can be very valuable information should you become ill. This is especially true if there is a family history of a specific illness or condition. The medical community is on record as saying that it encourages early detection for the purpose of obtaining optimal results as well as for the reduction of the TOTAL cost of therapy. To achieve this, ideally you should have a baseline as well as regular follow-ups. ['Baseline' ties in very neatly with the concept of 'continuity of care', a health policy buzz word that has emerged within the past five years.]
Getting your own doctor -
In the U.S. and Canada, adults [families] are encouraged to have a family doctor for two key reasons: 1) to provide continuity of care and 2) to reduce the burden on hospitals, esp. ERs.
Baseline, again -
If you're into policy debates, you might posit that your need for a personal medical baseline is analogous to the Bush administration's argument to the U.N. re:Iraq's inspection compliance, i.e. one cannot know what the situation truly is if one does not inspect it.
[This message has been edited by Jay Tor (edited 09-17-2002).]
I totally agree with Jay Tor. You don't know if there is anything wrong until you get checked out! To give you an example, a very good friend of mine is 21 and just stopped seeing a pediatrician (a little late in life, but OK). It wasn't until he got to see a General Practicioner that he found out that he has hypothyroidism. He didn't know anything was wrong with him, but the doctor did some basic blood tests that were all part of his physical, and he found out that he has this disease and needs to take medication for it.
Plus, now that you are 18 you need to start taking charge of your own health. It is no longer up to your mom to see to it that you go to the dr, etc... You said that you don't think you have seen a dr since you were about 5 years old except for school physicals, right? Have you had all of your vaccinations and booster shots? I think it is very important that you find a good General Practicioner now, when you are healthy so that you are already familiar with each other, and if you ever do get sick you have somebody to rely on that you can trust. Plus, you want to establish yourself as a patient in that office so that if you ever do need to see the doctor, you can get an appointment right away. Ask around to your friends to see what doctors they all go to, and get some recommendations. Even though you have health insurance through your parents, they still do not have the right to tell you when you are allowed to see a doctor. And if you have insurance, your parents don't have to pay anything except their monthly premiums, regardless of whether or not you see a doctor. You might just have to pay a co-payment when you go to the office. But $10 or $15 is not too much to pay for good health and peace of mind.
Your mom said that not many people have a General Practicioner? Mostly EVERYBODY has a GP. Does your mom also skip on her dental cleanings and gynecological exams? If she follows the same reasoning for that aspect of her health, then if she doesn't feel there is anything wrong, she probably doesn't go for any of that either.
Hi, thanks for the replies...ummm JayTor kind of confused me...haha but it's all good. Ummm I do know for a fact that we have Co-Pay, cause when I was chosing an allergist I got to do it off of a list...haha, and luckily I ended up with a very nice allergist. I had to do the same with my optometrist, and once again I luckily ended up with a very nice optometrist...maybe I just have a knack for chosing off lists? Lol... I have been doing my own research on Family Doctors though actually, because I'm quite picky and prefer female doctors (sorry male docs, but I'm a female so I feel more comfortable with female docs).
My only issue is that I would like to find a good family practioner in my area. But I am moving to college this weekend...sooo I'm going to be a bit of a ways away if I chose a doctor in my area (by a bit meaning like an hour plus). Sooo I haven't a clue how I would end up finding a new doc, and making sure they take new patients...and I probably have to call my pediatrition and get all my medical records? See lol, I have not an idea how to do this...
Oh and my mom does go to the dentist every 6 months like she is suppose to...but I am SURE she hasn't seen an OB/GYN since she last had my brother...12 years ago? My dad has actually been telling her that she should go and stuff...but also again I am 18...so I feel that I should go as well, but I'm not going to go tell my FATHER that I should see an GYN...anyway I'm babbling, and I'm lost...haha...so thanks for any help/advice you are giving me!!!
A general practice doc can handle all of your health needs including your GYN needs. While you are in college if you live on campus you will be using their medical services so you won't have much choice in the matter. You do still need to find a good doc at home though so ask around and see what doc your friends recommend or if you feel comfortable asking an older family friend ask them. Do you know anyone who works in the hospital or clinic near you? They can always tell you what is good about certain doctors. As for getting your medical records transferred you have to do that in person and sign a release form. As for getting an exam yes you would be wise to do this while you are still home and while you are at it why not mention to your mother that you are scheduling an exam and wondered if it was almost time for HER to schedule her yearly exam.
Seeing a Doctor, Finding a New Doctor, Parents in Way...uhhh please respond? 
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