How to find a good doctor?

In Seattle, I got very used to good doctors. And by "good", I mean a doctor who actually tries to heal you instead of convincing you that it's normal. And who actually listens. And who doesn't always prescribe antibiotics (you know, just in case, never hurts).


In short, I've always used a naturopath as health provider. And my kids did, too. And my wife. And you know what? They really work great! They usually listen and try to actually do something. And, of course, they being naturopaths, don't forget the fact that they'll try minimally invasive things first, and only move on if it doesn't help.


Well, anyway, that's not the point. The point is, the golden days are gone.
Turns out, naturopaths are not a part of health reality in Massachusetts.


It probably has to do with the fact that there are no limitations on calling oneself a naturopath. Even I can call myself a naturopath and get away with it. So, naturally, insurance companies don't want to cover somebody when there is no way to prove their worthiness.

There are some naturopaths, mind you. But they all are not covered, you have to pay out of pocket. And of those naturopaths, the majority are from - guess where? - the Bastyr University, the very one in Kirkland, WA.


And I really can't blame the Mass insurance companies. Once upon a time, we've managed to find some woman who labeled herself a "wholistic" doctor - roughly, that's the same thing, different name. She looked ok from reviews and over the phone, so we gave it a shot. As we were filling out the initial paperwork, she casually mentioned that, you know, I sometimes prescribe homeopathy treatments, and insurance wouldn't cover it, so I charge my fee of $80 the first time, but all subsequent times it's free. Ok, whatever. 


The office was, as the tradition goes, non-medically looking: soft chairs, a sofa, a carpet - you know, warm and homey. As I sat down comfortably in a soft chair and started describing the problem, she jumped on her stool: "Honey, don't do that please!" Turns out, my 1-year-old daughter went to explore the interesting-looking drawers full of some fascinating papers. The drawers weren't child-proofed. And neither were cabinets, table figurines, glass shelf - pretty much nothing. WTF?! You're working with kids, so make an effort to accommodate them. Too much to ask?


And guess what? She did end up prescribing a homeopathy treatment, which turned out to be a little bottle of small sugar balls, which she took out of a drawer full of identically looking bottles, without any labels on them. Does it count as that $80 fee you mentioned before? Yep, it does. Ok then, what is it exactly and what does it do? It's a homeopath treatment. Yes, I understand that, but what is it? What do you mean, "what is it?" It's a homeopathy treatment! It's the same thing you've been giving him, but it's specifically formulated for him. Wait a minute! How can it be specifically formulated? You just took it out of a drawer! Look: you go to a store, you get an off-the-shelf treatment; you go to a professional, you get a specifically formulated treatment. What the... Oh, never mind, we'll be leaving now, thank you for your time...