I consider a DO just as much a Dr as an MD. I’ve had several DO including my present primary doctor. I’ve not noticed any difference.
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I have never seen a doctor wearing scrubs outside of the hospital. My PCP doesn’t. I think the nurses in the office do, though.
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The cancer biopsy guy was a DO. It was on his name badge. I show up. They put me out. For all I know he could have been flipping burgers that afternoon. It was a factory like he just goes from one to the next and next and next. I was sent there. You’re not given a selection.
All I know is I wasn’t tired. Next thing I know I woke up 20 mins later and he talked to me about who knows what.
I don’t know any of these schools - this is his bio. I didn’t even know who I’d be seeing when I walked in. But he did what he needed. Then got a pet scan. Then did 5 consults and ended up at Vandy. But this DO was a part of the process. But it’s not like I had a choice or vetted him. It’s where they told me to go.
Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Dr. Johnson joined Urology Associates in 2020. He graduated magna cum laude from Bethel University in Minnesota for his undergraduate degree. From there he attended Midwestern University/CCOM where he graduated with honors, finishing within the top 2% of his class. He also received the Anatomy achievement award and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honors Society while at Midwestern University/CCOM. During his college and medical school career, Dr. Jonson was actively involved in community service, receiving multiple scholarships and awards. He also was active in research with several publications and presentations in areas of men’s health and renal oncology. Dr. Johnson became the Chief resident with the Franciscan Health Urology Program before joining Urology Associates.
Kaiser has its pros and cons. She gets Botox for her migraines for a low copay.
If she wants to see a specialist they make it not easy. She wanted a visit with a dermatologist to check a few concerns. First she had to message the primary photos of spots, primary appointment the dr looked at them and froze off one. My daughter asked for a regular full body check once a year with a dermatologist of dermatology PA and the Dr told her kaiser doesn’t do that. Myself and my other kids who have PPO insurance can see a dermatologist without a referral when we have concerns. History of all three types of skin cancer in the family.
When she first jstarted with Kaiser she had good luck with messaging the neurologist. Now they tell her that the primary doctor is the person she needs to work with. She would love to see a headache specialist but her Kaiser doesn’t have one.
For now it works for them. The cost savings of Kaiser outweighs the cons for them.
I guess I lucked out! The nurse made the comment about “doctor’s doctor “ after I had met the doctor for my initial consultation. 
He was neatly groomed and down to earth yet sounded very knowledgeable.
I think for most people, the filtering process goes something like this:
- Who accepts my insurance?
- Who among them do my friends, family, or acquaintances recommend?
- How conveniently located is their office? (And for many working people: do they offer evening or weekend hours?)
- How soon can they see me?
Only after that might someone look up where the provider went to medical school or did their fellowship. So while that can be a factor, it’s unlikely to be the first one for most of us.
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I feel very lucky to live in a major metropolitan area with several large teaching hospitals within an hour’s drive. And our suburban hospital is very good for most everyday stuff. There are, therefore, a lot of docs and nurses I know from school, community organizations and so forth and I don’t hesitate to ask for referrals.
I don’t know that education would be a deciding factor, but I do look at it. Depending on the specialty, bedside manner is important. I almost left my cardiologist because his was lacking but that issue has been mostly resolved so I don’t really need to see him more.
My mom had to have open heart surgery and we chose the “doctor’s doctor” at UPenn. For both pre-op appointments he was running 2-3 HOURS late. His manner was very brusque. But hey, this guy is going to crack open my mom’s chest and EVERYONE said he is the best of the best, so we used him.
And the surgery was flawless. In fact, when she later had an x ray or scan, her cardiologist at her new address asked, “was that surgery done by Dr. X? I can always tell his work.”
Would a primary care physician necessarily be deficient in seeing (possible) skin cancer?
I only heard about this being a thing recently. Upon further discussion, the person who mentioned it said that it must be a “White people thing”.
In any case, the USPSTF says that there is insufficient evidence to make any kind of recommendation on that as a preventive care service: Recommendation: Skin Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce
I’ve had my doctor (internal med) for years, now. She also sees one of my daughters. My H and other D see someone else in the same practice. I think we came to them when prior doctors retired or moved away and we were transferred to the practice.
I look at education, etc. because I’m interested in how they got to where they are. My doctor was educated overseas and did residency & fellowships here in the US.
When my first oncologist retired, I didn’t see one for a bit, even though she had just given me a new dx, because of reasons. What I did hear from the breast surgeon was to wait until a certain new one came on board because she knew that the existing doctors wouldn’t be a good fit. She was right.
I dare say now it’s all insurance-related, especially with getting into the Medicare years. One daughter, who works in a non-medical role in a large clinic, is full of stories about the clinic’s owners (huge company) suddenly deciding to not accept certain insurers or plans, changing appointment particulars for the doctors, etc.
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Presumably means that talks with insurance companies for inclusion in their networks failed because they could not come to an agreement on in-network payments?
Qualified yes. It’s an odd setup as their owners also provide insurance. Funnily enough, theirs is the only Advantage Plan they accept, with the exception of that for a certain large area employer with a lot of retirees.