POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: NycJoe on January 02, 2013, 11:07:31 am
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I moved from NYC to Long Island (Suffolk) looking for a new ID doc. Isn't there a listing of somekind somewhere? It sucks trying to find a new good doc!
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Unfortunately having a "list" by some entity would be seen as overly political, ripe for abuse and favoritism. The best bet when moving is a personal recommendation, but I assume you don't know anyone that is HIV+ where you moved to. If your HIV is in stable condition I would probably just pick an Infectious Disease specialist -- assuming you are in an HMO there will, in fact, be separate listings for specialists. This will simply allow you to continue with regular appointments and prescription refills, and then you can take your time exploring other doctor options if you are lukewarm to this first one you pick out. IMO one doesn't really need an ID specialist unless your HIV situation is complicated, it's more important to have a doctor with a larger HIV caseload, so in fact sometimes their actual degree is Internal Medicine and not ID.
Another option is to locate an ASO, get case management, and they'll maybe not give you an official list of doctors but will be helpful in finding something "unofficially".
A quick google led me here: http://www.longislandpc.org/ and there are other links there for finding local Nassau/Suffolk HIV resources.
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I've share numerous times that I had an idiot ID doctor for a LONG time and didn't realize the potential deadly consequences. He was totally dismissive about every issue I encountered even the last one that led to a severe brain infection.
I contacted our nearest ASO and they had an "unofficial" preferred list of doctors that worked with their clients. I started contacting them and I proceded with the notion that I was interviewing them. I eliminated a few simply because of the initial contact.
When I first met my current doctor, I had an entire list of questions and he took the time to answer them and did not rush me through my appointment. That appointment lasted well over an hour. I also felt a connection with him and still hold him in the highest regards possible.
Some people choose to have a primary care physician in addition to an ID doctor. In my case, my doctor performs both functions. Personally, I'll never change this aspect of my treatment.
I'll never again allow another person (even a doctor) to have total control over my medical care and am now my own best advocate.
Best of luck
Wolfie
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The American Academy of HIV Medicine list doctors who are considered HIV Specialists. You can search for a "HIV Primary Care" by zip code.
http://www.aahivm.org/ReferralLink/exec/frmAdvSearch.aspx?bs=10101
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I'm in the middle of finding a new doctor myself (mainly because my old one is in a location I can't get to without a car) so I commiserate.
In addition to the link Philly provided, there is also the Long Island Association for AIDS care (link below) who bill themselves as Long Island's oldest ASO.
Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc. (http://www.liaac.org/)
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I guess you could always ask on Grindr and get a lot of replies.
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Meet. Try.
If you meet a doc without full understanding and heart (hrdra) for you, drop him like a lit match burning your fingers!
It may be a 20,30 year relationship. And depending how old you are, you have to consider this, too.
Perhaps you are married, perhaps not.
But darlin' what you want here is a true and dear long term relationship "for all times."
Do not accept (your appraisal) of (or from) any doc that cannot provide to you -- ANYTHING LESS!