Community Chat

[pattypeep]

Frankly, I've begun losing confidence in him. My dh and I have gone to him for years, so it will be uncomfortable, but it's my health. My dh feels similar to how I do, but I doubt he will change until he retires and we perhaps have a different health plan. For those that have done so, do I just select a Dr., then go to his/her office and sign a paper releasing my records? Medical records are electronic now, so not sure if this is still the protocol. TIA

[brii]

When I changed doctors, I stayed within the same health system so all my records were accessible to the new doctor. I don't know if that applies in your case.

[terrier3]

I had to get a new doctor last year since my other practice was 90 minutes away.

First of all - check your insurance plan and make sure the new doctor is covered.

Secondly - ask friends who are happy with their doctors.

Third - I strongly suggest you look for a group practice affiliated with a medical school (if possible). Doctors in these practices tend to be paid salaries. This is helpful because they can concentrate more time on patient issues and not have to worry about everything involved in running a practice. They also, as teaching doctors involved in training future MDs, tend to be much more aware of new research...and have a large pool of other doctors to turn to for assistance with difficult diagnosis.

The Mayo and Cleveland Clinics run on that model - like Strong Hospital in Rochester, where I used to go. Unlike private practice docs, I never had to wait more than 5 minutes to be seen by a doctor...they work as a team and it is much more efficient.

My best friend from HS is a cardiologist and just switched from private practice to working for a university program. She said it allows her to get back to what she loves most, treating patients.

[chrystaltree]

You don't want to jump from the pan into the fire. I've changed pcp's twice in recent years. It's a very personal relationship; so, you should meet with the doc before you take him or her on as your pcp. I belong to very large group physician practice, that made it easy for me. When I decided that I had to "fire" my pcp; I went to their website to see which docs were accepting new patients. I knew that I wanted an experienced doc but not an old timer. A middled aged person. I preferred a woman doc but that wasn't a requirement. I found three that seemed right for me and made appointment with one. I cheated a bit, just to get an appointment. I said I needed to see someone asap about back pain (which is chronic for me) and I was upfront about NOT wanting to see my own pcp. I got an appointment to see her, she examined me and we talked at length about my health concerns. I told her that I was looking for a new pcp and she suggested that I set up informational appointments (didn't know I could do this) with two other docs and then make a decision. I did that with the other doc, who was very nice and also seemed like a good fit for me. They did not charge me or my insurer for the informational visit. I then chose the first doc and I called the practice manager and told her that I wanted change my pcp to Dr Soandso. The practice manager took care of everything with my insurer. There was no issue with transferring medical records because I stayed in the same practice and they have an electronic medical record, they haven't had paper records in years. I suggest that you visit and speak with a couple of docs before you make a choice. Once you do decide, that doc's office staff will have you sign a release and handle the transfer of records and notify your insurer that you have a new pcp.

[ROMARY]

I didn't know about no charge 'information' appointments. Great idea.

[shorelady]

On 4/22/2014 ROMARY said:

I didn't know about no charge 'information' appointments. Great idea.

Never heard of this either. I know my internist wouldn't have time for this. My internist's reputation and his high regard by the medical community and his patients was certainly enough for me 20 years ago. And I, as a patient, wouldn't want to wait for an appointment so my physician could accomodate those who are "shopping" around for a physician.

In this instance, could this free "information" appointment have been because they were all within the same large practice? Kind of keeping the income flowing within the practice, thus not losing a patient?

[RedTop]

I wouldn't be so quick to leave a physician who has treated me for several years. I totally understand the need to feel confident in your provider, but please realize there is no guarantee that a new provider will deliver as to your expectations either. Also, changing providers means you are allowing your personal medical records to be accessed by a whole new group of people. I was forced to change providers when my long time physician closed his practice and moved to another state. The medical provider I chose, specifically asked for the last 2 years of my medical record, which my old providers office copied for me, and that I had to pick up and take to my first appointment. In my area, the hospital does have electronic medical records, but not all physicians in the area have them. My medical provider does not have EMR's as yet.

Before you make a decision about changing doctors, do some research about your specific health concerns to make sure you are being treated by current protocol. One of the biggest patient / physician issues are that the physician is indeed treating the patient per current protocol, which is not matching up to the patient's expectations. Communication is the key, and if you find the physician is not meeting your needs, ask for a referral. Wishing you well!

[hckynut]

Hi twopeas,

I am fortunate in that I found a GP early in my adult life. Hockey injuries needed to be treated and I found a doctor that understood, back in the day, that it was not "if it hurts quit doing it". That was the mantra for most of that era. He encouraged me to keep active even though I was getting injured. Some injuries were worse than others and he treated them while others I knew what to do from him teaching me.

When he retired he recommended a doctor that he said would understand my lifestyle and that he did. Along the way I met many doctors from running my adult hockey league so I never had an issue of "whom to see and for what ailment". Have 2 doctors in my immediate family which doesn't hurt either.

If you have friends that have doctors that they feel understand them and their health and wellness issues, maybe they can recommend a doctor to you.

Remember now with all of the changes in health care, many doctors are no longer taking new patients. In fact I had one of my doctors quit seeing me because she no longer was going to deal with Medicare Patients even though I had been seeing her since 1996.

Many good doctors also are not taking new patients, but I think this is more true in the "specialty fields of medicine" than a GP.

That's all I got for you and good luck finding one that is truly interested in your health and what you have to say.

[Lipstickdiva]

I am with Cleveland Clinic physicians. It's not so happy go lucky. My gyno quit because she couldn't stand it that they were forced to see patients every 15 minutes. She said she didn't feel that was adequate, felt rushed and like she was doing a disservice to her patients. But under the Clinic, they are required to see X amount of patients per day.

The Clinic is my area also has the absolute worst billing imaginable. You never receive a bill, you are just sent to a collection agency. That doesn't bother me so much because medical bills aren't reported on a credit report and honestly, I'd rather deal with a collection agency than the billing dept. at the Clinic.

I would definitely ask around and be careful about switching. You want to make sure you are going to someone better, not worse. In my area, there are no more independent doctors. They all belong to some type of group due to extremely high malpractice rates.

[judgejudith]

Maybe it would be a good time to switch to a physician specializing in Internal medicine (Internist). As you age your doctor needs change.