No Doctor
I live in a small town. I had a great lung Dr. He up and left in August. I see the nurse practitioner or whatever they are. They are great very young. They could be good doctors but there not. Don't get me wrong I trust them. They are always there for me. They know me very well. I'm in and out of the hospital. I'm hoping we will get a MD.
Hi Rosemary, and thanks for sharing your present circumstances having no pulmonary physician in the community. It's always good when one has a reliable specialist who they trust to provide their medical care. I hear you!
Fortunately, you still are being followed by a nurse practitioner (NP). Even though they are not physicians (as you pointed out), some NP's and also physician assistants (PA) provide excellent care and are even better with their bedside manner. I am not saying this is the case in your situation but, since you've complimented them (to us) above, perhaps this NP will just continue providing your care in the same manner the specialist did before he left.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Yes I agree. Anytime I need her she is always there. I have faith in her and her judgment. If something is not working out with my medication. She will work hard to find something else. Like I said they are great ladies.
Hi again, Rosemary, and thanks for your response and further explanation. That is just what we'd expect from a good practitioner - someone that works collaboratively to see what is needed and then prescribe what will work.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I live in a rural area too and see a nurse practitioner. Actually, I've never had a lung doctor. It's my believe that if you're an intelligent, analytical person, you can do ok with a nurse practitioner because you probably will ask the right questions. However, there are a lot of things she would have missed if I didn't ask. "belief", not "believe"
I agree. The ladies that take care of me are awesome. They listen to me. They are just a phone call away. I even have one of there cell phone number. She said call me anytime you need me. That's great 👍
