Most all of us have a Primary Care Doctor who is a Internist. The PC doctor may refer us on to a particular specialist based on a Blood Work Analysis taken from the patient or his evaluation of our particular medical concern. Getting a referral to a Specialist generally requires a referral from your PC. Specialists typically have higher fees for their services. Most people have never seen certain specialists like a Proctologist, Rheumatologist.Podiatrist, Dermatologist,Neurologist.
@Lon Tanner I have been referred to only one specialist, an Allergy Specialist (Allergist?), while living in Missouri. The standard scratch test was done on both my forearms; all negative. She then diagnosed my breathing difficulty as "Exacerbation of Childhood Asthma".......I never had any kind of breathing problem at all until I reached my mid-60s! Crossed her off my list along with the 4 other doctors I went to, variety of diagnoses, evidently none correct, I struggled with difficulty exhaling for well over a year as symptoms gradually improved, then finally went away, just as they had appeared: naturally. Frank
I have seen gynecologists, and a gastroenterologist when I had my gall bladder taken out. My husband has to see a dermatologist twice a year since he has had skin cancer (basal cell).
@Beth Gallagher So refreshing, it is, to read properly-written English! Nearly everyone I know would say "had my gall bladder out".........out where ? Outdoors? Frank
Orthopedic (for hip, both shoulders and feet) Retina Specialist, Eye Surgeon (laser cataract surgery)
I forgot these: Orthopedic (pinched nerve) Retina Specialist (monocular double vision), Eye Surgeon (laser cataract surgery. I'm a mess
I've never been to a specialist. I didn't even go to a regular doctor for over a decade, until my bed starting spinning with the vertigo. Turns out, I had high blood sugar. I changed my diet over night. Have all but quit smoking and now drink that retched Half Caff coffee from Folgers. I can tell immediately if I eat the wrong thing & then avoid it in the future. For now, unless my life becomes another tilt-a-world episode or worse, I will avoid going back to the doctor. I've had too many friends and loved ones die while under their care. I can do that on my own without additional expense and annoyance.
Well Bess---You are certainly entitled to your opinion despite it's prejudice. It's nice that you have made it to age 63 by basically serving as your own doctor. People do die while under the care of a doctor, but not necessarily their treatment.
@Bess Barber @Lon Tanner I myself can relate to her position regarding doctors. In my entire lifetime I have gone to no more individual doctors than I can count on two hands. The very first, as a kid and young adult, an old Welshman whose father was a coal miner in UK, was the best and kindest. My present PCP I rank second. In between nearly every one I consider deficient in one or another way, especially the oral surgeon who set me up for a Caldwell-Luc Radical Maxillary Operation, which was stopped in time thanks to the wisdom of my Dad. Don't look at the following post if you do not want to view what this charlatan nearly did to me at age 19. Frank
The only ones I can think of are a dental surgeon (implants) and an eye surgeon (cataracts). Broke my wrist a few years ago, and saw the specialist pass by in the hallway once or twice. He supposedly looked at the X-rays, but PA's did all the work and follow up therapy.