When I was a kid I had the same doctor from the time I was born until I left home at 19. My whole family had always had this same doctor until he retired. He knew us all very well and we trusted him very much. I think this was a very good thing.

There used to be something called "good bedside manner", meaning a doctor who had it was interested in you as a person, your overall mental and physical health, and built a relationship and trust with you. I believe there are studies that show that doctors with a "good bedside manner" have better patient outcomes.

Then I entered the world of HMO's and specialties and changing insurance. I had a PCP for a long time who whenever I went to him would listen to my complaints, then he would grunt three or four words, type some stuff in the computer, and then send me to have some lab work done. No interest in me whatsoever as a person. He was very good medically and scientifically, and very smart, but a lousy doctor in my opinion.

I do not see anything wrong with the doctor in the original post other than he should not just be interested in the problems of young people but all his patients. There was a time when a family doctor wore many hats and it was a good thing. Like he said it may be the only encounter a person has with a medical professional in a long time. Why not take a holistic approach and build trust.

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