Generally Unpracticed

It’s no surprise to the blog’s readers if I freely confess to being cynical about doctors. A look over the posts under the "Medical Malpractice" tag gives account of experiences and observations about the why’s. Unable to afford doctors for most of my adult life, I had to manage my own sugar with attention and common sense. Not seeing a doctor does not automatically equate with making no attempt to control blood sugars.
I approach every new doctor with hope and childish optimism that this one will be a good one. I want to have a cooperative relationship with my doctors. Theoretically, it’s in my own best interest.
I’ve tried this with my general practitioner. He is not a bad guy at all, and I don’t think he’s a bad doctor, although several in-the-know people in my life have a poor opinion of him and frequently urge me to find a good one.
I know myself. I could fire this one, but I would not run out to find another, not until I needed one again, and that is not the time to be looking for someone to guide you long term.
Despite seeing him for seven years now, the relationship remains contentious. I take my share of responsibility for that, but do know it’s not just me.
Many shades of gray cloud the situation. For that reason, I have from the beginning chosen not to name him or his practice. There are elements that I think he is wrong on and other that I know he is right on but I can’t or won’t do anyway. Many of our differences are more philosophical than black and white wrong or right. He is an internist rather than a diabetes specialist. That fact may also widen the gap between us.
I didn’t help matters much on the last visit several months ago. When he mentioned one of those things I can’t or won’t do, I accepted it as him doing his job. When he brought it up again, it came across as nagging and I slapped that down fast. I wouldn’t want to let nagging become a habit by being too accepting of it at the outset. He was probably furious with me when I left, for me being me. The GP had recommended Dr. David Greenberg–Doctor Dumbass–to other patients. I lifted my leg to show the other people the Crow boot as evidence that I had more than passing experience with podiatrists, then told them what a dumbass Greenberg is and told them how I came by that opinion. I gave them the name of Thomas Mancini as a competent podiatrist. That’s how I am.
I started seeing my GP in 2005. It’s been downhill ever since.