How to find a good GP

BBSA

BBSA

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A few years ago I had high cholesterol. So my GP prescribed me a statin for the rest of my life. At the time I was overweight, but he did not even suggested any lifestyle changes.

So my delema now is how do I find good GP?
I don't just want a pill pusher, I want someone who will take the time to find the root cause of an issue.
 
All the GPs I have met are too rushed to allow any semblence of proper diagnosis. Close to me is a clinic where you could book 30 minute appointments

In 2019 they reduced this to 15 mins, and this year, to 10 mins. I asked whether I could schedule 3 or 3 appointments in a row. The quick answer was "no, definitely not possible"

So I went to see this doctor. I was sitting on his couch when the intercom in his office announced "your 2.50 patient is here, doctor". It was 2.49 and they were harassing him

An appointment is still R570,00

14 doctors working from 7.30 to 5.30 and not including nursing services gives about R480 000 a day gross income at least
 
chrisc said:
All the GPs I have met are too rushed to allow any semblence of proper diagnosis. Close to me is a clinic where you could book 30 minute appointments
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So I've found that if you're an exotic case, most GPs will take their time with you because you pique their interest. They'll examine you fully even though it has nothing to do with your current ailment.

Coming in with something common like a cold or flu? Well then, ... next....
 
BBSA said:
A few years ago I had high cholesterol. So my GP prescribed me a statin for the rest of my life. At the time I was overweight, but he did not even suggested any lifestyle changes.

So my delema now is how do I find good GP?
I don't just want a pill pusher, I want someone who will take the time to find the root cause of an issue.
Click to expand...
It's a pity you are not in the Krugersdorp area.
The GP I see is in no rush with your consultation and will try and answer all your questions.
 
There is GP's that have their practice at their own house, they spent generally more time with their patients and its more of a personal and build a relation with your patient thing.
 
chrisc said:
All the GPs I have met are too rushed to allow any semblence of proper diagnosis. Close to me is a clinic where you could book 30 minute appointments

In 2019 they reduced this to 15 mins, and this year, to 10 mins. I asked whether I could schedule 3 or 3 appointments in a row. The quick answer was "no, definitely not possible"

So I went to see this doctor. I was sitting on his couch when the intercom in his office announced "your 2.50 patient is here, doctor". It was 2.49 and they were harassing him

An appointment is still R570,00

14 doctors working from 7.30 to 5.30 and not including nursing services gives about R480 000 a day gross income at least
Click to expand...
Too true. I've been to 4 different GP's over the past 2 years either because of unavailability, extended leave or for convenience/affordability. They are mostly all like salesmen these days, you can feel the pressure on them to get you out the door after 10 minutes, "OK let's just do this then, alright?" *nudge nudge let's finish this up*... Had to make a double booking once to get a thorough consultation.
One of them is really cheap, which is nice for prescription repeats but this pressure is ten-fold with him for normal consults, impression of him doing me a huge favour just for seeing me, every time employing an exasperated "Hiiiiiiii, yeeees, what can I do for you today?". Found one that actually goes the extra mile and will take phone calls at end of day, so they are still out there.
Hippocratic Oath

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
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How can these principles be applied if you don't take the time to comprehensively understand the problem, solicit adequate amount of feedback and flesh out multiple possible solutions?
 
BBSA said:
Pretoria East
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You can try Dr. A.W.L Van Zyl next to the Arrie Nell pharmacy in 474 Winifred Yell St, Garsfontein. Our Dr. closed his practice after he got Covid, and we changed to Van Zyl and are happy so far. He takes his time to listen to one's problems. Your mileage may vary, though.

Phone: 012 365 1866
 
Last edited:
Stokstert said:
You can try Dr. A.W.L Van Zyl next to the Arrie Nell pharmacy in 474 Winifred Yell St, Garsfontein. Our Dr. closed his practice after he got Covid, and we changed to Van Zyl and are happy so far. He takes his time to listen to one's problems. Your mileage may vary, though.
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Thanks, I will check him out.
 
Also try Dr V Lowe at Menlyn Med. He is our family GP and operates out of the medical centre with other health professionals (Dieticians, Physio, Dentist etc)
 
Also try Dr V Lowe at Menlyn Med. He is our family GP and operates out of the medical centre with other health professionals (Dieticians, Physio, Dentist etc)
 
BBSA said:
A few years ago I had high cholesterol. So my GP prescribed me a statin for the rest of my life. At the time I was overweight, but he did not even suggested any lifestyle changes.

So my delema now is how do I find good GP?
I don't just want a pill pusher, I want someone who will take the time to find the root cause of an issue.
Click to expand...
Go to a dietician.
They can order and interpret blood work, then work out a diet plan that is user friendly - and enjoyable.
Some exersize you actually enjoy, should get you off the likes of simvastatin.

But get a proper cardiac examination to ensure there are no underlying conditions, or issues caused by high cholesterol.

Don't be like me, and ignore until you are on chronic medication, then the stent, followed by bypass surgery down the line.

If you really want to find a good GP, ask your doctor who he sends his mother or children to.
 
Grant said:
Go to a dietician.
They can order and interpret blood work, then work out a diet plan that is user friendly - and enjoyable.
Some exersize you actually enjoy, should get you off the likes of simvastatin.

But get a proper cardiac examination to ensure there are no underlying conditions, or issues caused by high cholesterol.

Don't be like me, and ignore until you are on chronic medication, then the stent, followed by bypass surgery down the line.

If you really want to find a good GP, ask your doctor who he sends his mother or children to.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.

I already changed my diet a few years ago and lost about 20kg. I fix my cholesterol without a statin and had no issues when I last did a cardiac examination.
 
Finally found a doctor who is up to date with the latest research on cholesterol. She has send me for an advance LDL test so we can see my count for the large buoyant and small dense LDLs. Apparently it is the small low-density particles which cases most of the artery damage.

If most of my LDL is the large buoyant ones I have nothing to worry about.

She is also not a fan of statins.
 
@BBSA

I am with Dr Benninghof in Monument park..... Works from home..... Our whole family is with him

Edit: i see you are sorted
 
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