OB GYN Or GP??

C.,

I use my GP for my GP stuff, unless I'm pregnant. Then I try to avoid my GP at all costs, too many germs there!!

V.

With some many people being sue happy my OBGYN is no longer able to take care of anything outside of OBGYN.
In the past he was able to take care of anything that came up while I was pregnant- sinus infections, skin rashes, ear infections, etc... When my Mom took a turn for the worse they offered for me to call if I need to be seen for grief or antidepressants. With my last child they saw me when I was getting sick and my Dr explained he no longer even had the equipment to look in my ear to tell if I had an ear infection he explained that now days anything, sore throat, ears, UTI all were referred to PCP.

Interestingly enough, I just had my OB-GYN come talk to a bunch of teen girls about EVERYTHING regarding the female body and she actually mentioned this! She said, if it is stinkin' or leakin' down below, she's glad to take care of it, but don't ask her to look in your ears...she'll gladdly do it and if it doesn't look right, she'll prescribe antibiotics, but to her, an ear is like a foreign planet that she hasn't seen since medical school...her specialty is your female health and your UNBORN baby, not general stuff (her specialty is rears, not ears!!!)! She'll check whatever you need to, but if there is something really wrong, she may not be able to catch it like an ENT or internal med MD or even a GP would!

I see mine for my yearly stuff to get my b/c and go to an internal med MD for anything else (she controls my RAD...has specialty in pulmonology... and my allergy med needs as well as general flu and strep etc). With medicine changing so much all the time, I would rather go to a specialist who can keep up with 1 topic and know all the new stuff rather than a GP who has to try to keep with the newest information on EVERYTHING (my mom always says "you wouldn't take your broken car to anyone but a car garage to be fixed, right?)!

Maybe I'm a little one-sided because I was raised by a specialist (Neurologist), but I did spend the last 5 years using a fam med MD who missed my RAD and a rare skin disorder that I had! Glad I finally decided to go to an internal med MD and a dermatologist and take my son to a pediatrician and myself to an OB-GYN and forget the GP!

S., 26, mom of 20-month-old boy and 36 weeks preggo with another boy!

I always thought that a OBGYN was the way to go recently I went to a GP. She did a well woman visit on me. I really felt like I was getting a great deal of work done plus she was easy to get into. I know my OB would probably give me a perscription on something else I needed but he was always so hard to get into. You would just have to call your OB and ask if you can be seen for something like that.

Hi,
I see an Internal Medicine doctor for OB purposes as well as regular sicknesses. She's great. Her name is Dr. Rajani Katkuri and she's at Sandy Clinic 9500 South 1300 East in Sandy. Her number is ###-###-####.

I would not recommend this - an obgyn is not going to treat you for the flu or diabetes or pneumonia. I actually see a family practitioner and he does my pap smear and takes care of all my medical needs since I'm done with having kids. Why wouldn't you want a doctor that can manage all your medical needs, not just your gynecological ones?

I did for 11 years until my OB passed away unexpectedly last year. He was actually listed as my husband's PCP too! lol He was a family friend, so it worked out well for everyone, and prevented us from having to find another dr, since we are very picky. He was always able to help with everything, including when I had pneumonia, and was the best source of referrals that I've ever had. The real drawback when he passed (aside from losing a good friend which was devastating), was that I was 32wks pregnant at the time, so I had to find a new OB, and have had to find a new GP as well. It had taken a year to find one that doesn't drive me crazy, but I finally have.
Some OB/Gyns are find with this situation, but there are some who will not do the crossover into general. It doesn't hurt to ask yours if you are interested. Another good option is to find an Internist instead of a Family or General Practice doc. They will be more likely to give you a referral for things pertaining to dermatology or gastro or things like that, but I've found that to be more helpful than hindering.
Good Luck!

I have a friend who does that, actually has the OB/GYN listed as her PCP with her HMO. It's worked okay, but it makes it difficult if something arises and you need a GP. It usually takes a while to get in as a new patient, so it's better if you're already established.

Good question. I use my OB GYN for everything! I thought about getting a GP but haven't found anything my OB/GYN can't handle yet. I can call in with questions and issues that are non-GYN related, and usually she responds the same day. Same with prescriptions. I can usually get them the same day I call her. My OB/GYN has treated me for flu, sinus infection, and sleep issues, in addition to the normal girlie stuff.

Hi C. - my insurance allows an ob/gyn to be listed as primary care but they dont treat anything other than ob/gyn issues. I would recommend finding a good General Practice, Family Physician or Internist to be your primary care physician.

The more common situation is using your GP as an Ob. Its not very pratical to use an Ob for the family as they specialize in birth, and at that their true specialty is in surgical deliveries. I would definitly suggest a GP or a pediatrican.

i have a little bit of a different view on things. i feel like a gp is that, tooo general. they seem to push things off till the next visit and that tells me $$$$$$ is all that is on his mind. well i guess i feel neglected because when i go in for my annual exam i have a list and they just tell me to come back !!!! who has the darn time. fix me and do it now! help and help me now! i am here now !!!GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS