how to find a good doctor?

[sullidog]

I'm trying to find a new PCP, I never had one while I was on dialysis because my neph always took care of all of my needs, so now that I have my transplant I doubt he'll do that since I don't see him that much and isn't really part of my care right now.
Anyways I did get a pcp however I don't think he knows what he's doing neither do I think his partners know either. I went into his office first with swollin toncils and pain in my shoulder and forarm. For the swollin toncils he gave me an antibiotic for strep which I didn't even know he even tested for it, well come to find out when the antibiotics weren't working I went back to my doctor, and saw one of his partners, well apparently he did test for strep and it was negative, the other doctor said I had a virus, now why would you give someone an antibiotic for strep when they didn't even have it? No wonder it didn't work.
About the shoulder thing, he said he didn't know what it was he didn't even look at it and blamed it out of all things on my graft and gave me an script for physical therapy, now what is physical therapy going to do for me if they don't know the cause? and my graft is thrilling just fine and the pain is not in my graft area so I don't think it's the graft. His partner gave me a script for prednizone for the virus which I never took because it's clearing up on its own now.
So I think it's time to find another doctor. This was a doctor recommended by a friend so makes me wonder if word of mouth isn't always the way to go. What do you guys do when looking for a pcp? What are some ways that you will be sure they're the right one for you?

[MaryD]

I think it's a case of trial and error.  I was still trialling my current doctor 30 years ago, when I asked him a question he couldn't answer.  He promptly turned around and grabbed one of his books and looked it up.  I like someone who is not too proud to admit he doesn't know the answer.

[jeannea]

Ask around if you can. Local friends and family. I always look for a practice with multiple doctors so that if mine is out I can still get sick. After that you have to choose one and see him/her. Do you feel the exam is thorough? Does he seem confident doing the exam? Talk about your kidney disease. Is he listening or brushing you off? Ask about getting last minute appts when you're sick. What is the procedure? Does he prefer to see you or prescribe over the phone? You will get a feeling for whether you're communicating with him or he's being arrogant and ignoring you. Go with your instincts.

If you like this doctor then stay. If not start the process over. Good luck!

[cassandra]

And maybe ask your neph?

Good luck sullidog. When I had my dad's kidney I could avoid all GP's (uk p.c.p) after having to argue with several of them, so I went straight to the transplant hospital.

Hood luck, Cas