Changing doctors

[JoeWras]

This should be simple, right? Just go to a different doctor.

But honestly, I'm not sure how to do it. Had the same doc for over 25 years. I'm starting to doubt him. I like him as a person, but not sure he has the proper competence anymore. He views the job as a vocation, a passion. That's great! But it may be passion misplaced.

I've only switched before when moving. I really don't know how to fire my PCP. I'm also not sure what I'll find on the other side. My doc is a traditional practice. All the newer practices seem to be mega practices.

 

[Ready]

My doctor retired last year after 25 years of being my primary physician. I looked around quite a bit, and chose a local doctor in a larger practice, but he's definitely not even close to the level of competency I had for 25 years. It's not easy to find a good replacement. There are so many out there and most are part of bigger practices, which can cause them to lose their personal touch.

I hope to find a comparable doc to replace him some day, but for now I have to stick with the local guy until I find something better.

 

[psweath]

From another forum I belong to - this article is lengthy but some good thoughts for consideration in here.

Finding A Doctor

Edition: 2016-04-29
Top recommendation: adopt a lifestyle that minimizes the need for interaction with the so-called healthcare system, particularly if you are subject to universal healthcare rationing. If that doesn't cover it, well, that's what this page is for.

Identifying Candidates

Have Desired Labs in Mind

Pre-Screening Candidates

Interviewing Candidates

Self-Help


[mod note - post edited to ensure there are no infringements. Link to source and full article here https://www.cureality.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=18882 [/quote]

 

[Bamaman]

Wow, that's a tough one to follow.

Doctors practices are being purchased by hospitals and consolidated into groups. The big hospital 2 hrs. north of me has 1700+ phyicians and nurse practioners working for them. The office personnel often work for the hospital and the doctor might be an outside contractor to the practice. It's the future of the doctor's office in the current political climate.

I'm considering looking for a new physician that's relatively young to avoid having to get a new doctor when my 60 year old doctor retires within 5 years.

My wife is a medical professional, she can spot a quality doctor within one visit. We also know some physician specialists that know who's a good internal medicine physicians.

 

[MRG]

OP I've never fired my PCP just picked out a new doc and had them pull the records.

Finding a new doc is the difficult part. Last time it was pretty easy as my prior doc had tried to kill me so staying in the practice wasn't on the table. I did learn things I won't accept from any Dr's office from the prior DR. I ask alot of questions about things I've experienced and how the doc would treat the condition. Based on my prior issues the docs nurse and support staff may be just as important as the doc is.

My doc is retiring soon and we're leaving the area so I'll be going through the process soon.

 

[imoldernu]

Wow, that's a tough one to follow.

I'm considering looking for a new physician that's relatively young to avoid having to get a new doctor when my 60 year old doctor retires within 5 years.

Exactly what we thought, and DID in 2004. A brilliant lady Doctor, a year out of med school, and the best doctor we've ever had. For unintentional reasons, at age 40 she has temporarily given up her practice for two years, and we had to search for a replacement... not easy in a smallish semi rural area. Luck is with us, as we were able to sign on with the acknowledged "best" doctor in the area, and will have our first appointments in August. My only worry, and hope, is that he'll be able to put up with me coming in with my self-diagnosis on each visit.

 

[Walt34]

From another forum I belong to - this article is lengthy but some good thoughts for consideration in here.

Would you have a link to the forum? It may be of interest to others here.

 

[Bestwifeever]

You have one doc but he has hundreds of patients. He likely won't have his feelings hurt if you leave. Your new doc will know what to do to get your records if necessary. I would try to be sure I wasn't suffering from the grass is always greener symdrome (which befalls me occasionally)--the devil you know might be better than the devil you don't.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Where we live there are more doctors than I can shake a stick at. I have always considered doctors a necessary evil (Figuratively of course). Sort of like a car mechanic, if you do not like him or her, find another there are plenty more. I have only had to do this a couple of times, because I did not like one, (his staff actually were just so incompetent, billed incorrectly, took incorrect notes, were not pleasant, that type of thing.

My wife has "fired" a few doctors for different reasons. Seems we are happy now, but we see more Specialists than GPs as we get older. I have always been happy with my treatment.


This may stem from being transient for a while as we moved about a lot and are used to seeing different doctors.