Doctors

roynel,

There are a number of good family practice docs and pediatricians on island that can handle the needs of "average" adults and children very well. The most challenging part of some of the practices is that the docs have also moved here to enjoy island life, and s they only keep limited office hours (e.g. 8 am - 11 am six days a week). The best thing to do is ask other parents who they use and if they are happy with the care they and their kids receive. As dntw8up wisely said in another post, the best way to find the best of everything in the USVI is through networking.

I am a high needs person medically, and I have just started using a wonderful nurse practitioner with wonderful experience working with peoplewith chronic conditions. In my mind, nurse practioners bring all of the diagonistic skills and prescription-writing ability of a doctor but have the patient realtions/bedside manner of a nurse (i.e. they see you as a Person, not a condition or collection of symptoms). Would be happy to pass on his info if you PM me.

The VI phone book ( http://www.viphonebook.com) only has listings for rheumatologists that are based in Puerto Rico, so your wife may need to do what I do -- fly to PR on a regular basis to see the specialists that we can't find on island or in the USVI. THis is definitely something to consider budget and time wise before you move. And getting air ambulance insurancde for your family is a must -- it's only about $10 per person per month. It won't cover regular visits to an off-island provider, but it will cover you if there's an emergency for which you can't get care on island.

Hope that helps.

--HC