How often do you see your doctor?

[martini]

Might be a weird question... but how often do you go to your doctor? I'm specifically asking primary care physician/ general checkups? I see my obgyn regularly and my dentist, but I really only see a doctor when I'm very sick and need antibiotics, the last time being 2 years ago when I went to urgent care. I went to a family doctor about 7 years ago when I felt like I needed antidepressants and he did some blood work to check for underlying issues. I have since moved and don't see that doctor anymore (I'm also not on the meds anymore), but I'm wondering if I should schedule something for a general checkup?

[AAM2012]

My PCP usually once a year unless I get sick or something else is needed. My gastro I see about once every 2 years.

[rubytue]

I would. If only so you have someone to see if you need it.

I moved and hadn't bothered to set up a new doctor, which bit me in the butt a year ago. I thought I would be ok since I was just moving to another branch of my same umbrella organization, but when I had a real issue I could get a same day appointment (those were only for establish patient). Instead I ended up in urgent care for something that ended up needing 6 months of follow up.

[Susie]

Nov 4, 2013 13:06:10 GMT -5 kooshball said:

I go to my PCP for general checkups yearly. She also does the gyno stuff.

Same, plus on average 2x/year or so for sinus infections, etc.  If I had an HMO and had to see my PCP for a referral for a sports med doc, add another time or two per year for running injuries   Luckily I have PPO insurance and can go straight to the sports med doc when necessary.

I think it's a good idea to have a PCP that you have a relationship with.  It really expedites being seen when you feel lousy.  Same-day appt's are clutch when you're sick, and are generally only for established patients.  Plus there's better continuity of care than a walk-in place if you have a chronic issue of any kind.

[Deleted]

once a year for my physical which my insurance covers in full. If I don't go, my dr. will not keep me as a patient.

[mbcdefg]

I actually don't have a PCP ... I just go to those walk-in places when I have an issue. I've been to a few this year because of some skin issues, and at my last visit then did a full physical with an EKG, bloodwork, and some other tests.

I see my gyno once a year for my annual checkup and a one-year BCP prescription.

I saw a new optometrist recently for new glasses, and a pulmonologist for some breathing/asthma issues, but I don't have any more appointments scheduled for them.

I'm embarrassingly overdue for a dentist visit.

[thebreakfastclub]

I have no PCP. I practice vagina-centered medicine with a yearly OB visit.

I figure I can go to a walk-in clinic if I get really sick, but I never have been sick enough to go beyond OTC cold medicine. I had a bunch of bloodwork done at my workplace for a health fair that came back great. I would consider getting a doctor if that hadn't been the case though.

[winnied]

PCP: Once - annual physical
Ob-Gyn: Once - annual physical
Dentist: Twice - 6 month check ups and cleaning

I'm very fortunate to have good health.

[mrssandro]

Just when I am sick. Or my yearly pap which I hear isn't required anymore.

I hate going to the doctor.

[Deleted]

I only see mine when I need antibiotics. The last time was about 18 months ago when I had mastitis when DD2 was a newborn. I am pregnant so I tend to just ask my OB if I have any health related questions or concerns.

[Velvetshady]

I average seeing my PCP 3-5 times a year. But I'm not the healthiest person out there.

And to OP's real question, finding a PCP where you live now is a good idea, even if you don't bother with annual visits every year. As I've gotten older and had new issues, it has been helpful to me that I have a doctor that knows me and knows what is "normal" for me vs others. For example, If I went to a walk-in clinic knowing my blood pressure is soaring, they'd look at me like I'm crazy since my very high blood pressure is "normal" for most people.

[definitelyO]

I see my GYN annually - but before I changed about 6 years ago my GYN was my PCP.

I now have a new PCP and have seen her 2x in 2 years when I was having shoulder pain and then when I broke my toe.

I don't usually get sick (knock on wood)

[mrst2]

I go to my PCP a couple times a year- yearly checkup plus bloodwork. I also just started having him do my gyno stuff since his office is much easier to get to.
I go to the dentist every 6 months.

[ddi741]

I go once a year for my physical and other times if needed because I'm sick.

[Deleted]

I haven't seen a general doc/had a sick visit since I went to the student health clinic over 10 years ago for pneumonia. I go to the GYN for paps every few years and then as scheduled for OB appointments.

[whitemerlot]

I get an annual exam at my obgyn. My primary care doctor, every few years? I think it's been a long time. They are all through the same system. My h saw him in 2009 and was told to come back in 5 years.

[badtzmaru22]

Four years ago? My H's company at the time required a physical. Even then, I just saw the NP. I wouldn't recognize the Dr if I saw him on the street.The office person called me once to make sure I still wanted to be listed as a patient.

I do see my OBGYN annually, and I spent a few years TTC and having trouble, so I saw her and an RE a lot.

I can't even tell you the last time I took an antibiotic or was sick enough to even think about seeing a PCP. Dont worry though, sicky DH more than makes up for it.

[RoxMonster]

I see my gyno once yearly for my exam. Dentist twice yearly.

I only go to my PCP when I am sick. I know I should probably go yearly, but I don't like her. And yes, I should probably find a doctor I like better, but I haven't yet. I actually don't mind the nurse practitioner there and that's who I usually see if I'm ill.

[Deleted]

I *love* my primary care physician, so please realize that my response is biased

However, I love the idea of having a go-to person for quick advice / fast issues! I can just pick up the phone, leave a message, and get quick advice right away on smaller health issues. Plus, my doc has been tracking my health over time, and has helped me ensure I was staying healthy in my superbusy 20s, and now as I enter my 30s, am staying on top of all the things I need to be thinking about given my health, family history, and career (which is stressful and requires LOTS of travel)!

I think of it like any service...someone else can help me keep on top of my health if they have a level of objectivity (and, clearly, skill) that I do not.

So...a strong recommendation!

[RandZB]

I have to at least go in for an office visit once a year to get a prescription re-upped. I'm overdue for a full physical by a few years though. I see my gyn every year and dentist twice a year.

[hski2349]

I go to a PCP yearly. She does all the gyno stuff. The one year I did not see her was the year I was pregnant and going to the gyno all the time.

[Deleted]

I see my family doctor for everything; when not pregnant or sick, that's a once yearly checkup. Dentist twice a year. That's about it for me.

[Deleted]

Probably 2-3 times a year. Once to discuss prescription refills and/or to get a physical, and once or twice because I'm sick or have had some sort of klutzy kitchen or walking/chewing gum incident that landed me in the ER and requires PCP follow-up.

She's super available via MyChart (I can send her a message there), so I'm in contact with her more frequently than 2-3 times a year.  Sometimes she sends messages just to check in after I've been sick/have maimed myself.  She's awesome (and/or I'm high-maintenance).

On top of that:
Lady doctor once a year
Derm once a year

[Norticprincess]

PCP once a year for a physical and blood work that my oncologist doesn't focus on. She gets to try to correct all the things that are wrong that don't worry the oncologist, or before travel for meds.
My BMT oncologist 2x a week to every two weeks currently. I'm not normal. During treat earlier this year it was either the doc or the NP daily.

Dentist, I saw last year. Waiting to be cleared to go back.
On/gyn last nov. normally see her once a year. Do need to ask when I can go back and see her.

[awkwardpenguin]

I think establishing care with a PCP is a great idea, but annual physicals are not necessary if you are getting annual gyn exams.

That said, I view my PCP like @shoegal does - basically my "health person" who helps me keep on top of all the stuff. I have several chronic conditions that need managing, and a few doctors that need coordinating, and her office handles all that stuff for me. I purposely picked a practice that has online scheduling and email access to the doctor - that helps a ton. They also have a 24/7 advice line, which has been awesome when I'm sure if I should be seen after hours or wait. I see her every 2-3 months because of my health issues.

[biscoffcookies]

I don't even have a PCP. I have always felt weird calling just to ask to get a physical or something (especially since I get my yearly GYN checkup) so I can become an established patient...but once you are sick, it takes too long to get an appointment, so you are better long before they can get you in.

Luckily I don't get sick often. If I did get sick and need to see a doctor (e.g. strep throat, UTI), I think I'd just go to the TakeCare clinic at the Walgreens. They can diagnose and prescribe basic stuff like that.

I see the dentist twice a year and go to the dermatologist once a year for a skin check because I am super paranoid about skin cancer. 

[Deleted]

You guys without a PCP are stressing me out I'm definitely not for consuming healthcare needlessly, but a great doctor is worth their weight in gold as an advocate for your longer-term health, and a good PCP (well at least in my experience) has helped me spot things that I wouldn't have found on my own, etc.

Clearly a huge advocate, and I am scared that fewer PCPs are going to be serving the US Healthcare market. My doctor is rejecting most insurance, and she can do so because she's so good...but that also creates a hurdle for me and others.

[mccallister84]

I see the gyno yearly. I haven't had a "check up" at my PCP in years but over the past year I was there a ton - I had a "medical mystery" which still really hasn't resolved itself but everything scary has been ruled out.

I have asthma so see my PCP when I need refills on my inhaler, which is not very often.

[peachdragon]

Like never. I only go to the gyn when I have to. I have never seen a doctor regularly since after I got my shots in childhood.

[mskitkat]

Right now? Only if absolutely necessary, such as an infection I need antibiotics for or first line treatment of a random injury. I seriously dislike my current PCP, but since I'm moving in a few months, no point in finding a new one. I used to have an amazing PCP worth her weight in gold, but alas, she retired.