How Many Times Have You Changed Primary Care Physicians

cuddlesmama · ‎03-11-2010

My husband has had the same doctor for many years and felt quite content with him until recently. At his annual physical my husband was asking questions about his health and the doctor said "You are asking too many questions I have other patients" On another occasion my husband wasn't feeling well and the Doctor said all that you are feeling is all in his head. My husband fell off a ladder and when the hospital did a CT scan and found something on his liver and they said follow up with your PCP, which my husband did and he ordered another CT scan and when I called him and stated he shouldn't have another cat scan so soon because of the radiation he would be getting he said yes you are right so he ordered a MRI instead. So he had a CT in Dec 2016 and an MRI March 2017.Everythin came out negative I am so grateful for that as I was soo worried. Anyone else have rude experiences with your PCP?

Coquille · ‎07-20-2011

I don't know anyone that has had that experience. People are complaining that the doctors are not giving them the time and the attention that they use to get. But to verbally say that, it must have been a bad day for the doctor. He should have never said that, even if it's true. Nonetheless, if you really are questioning his behavior, by all means change doctors. The medical situation has gotten horrible. The doctors don't get paid what they use to ( boo hoo) and they see more patients. They are only alloted a certain amount of time per patient. They can choose not to stick with that time. I have had my doctors for 30 years so they do not treat me like that way. My internist retired a few years ago, found another doctor but she passed away at the age of about 50. I sa her for 3 years. Really nice woman and great doctor. So sad. Now I am seeing another internist from the same practice and he is from what I'm told, brilliant. He has a good personality and doesn't necessarily rush (just a little bit). Anyway, I would change when you get to the point of feeling uncomfortable but remember, The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side or is it?

Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life.

henderson · ‎03-18-2010

My new primary care physician says she always has time to answer my questions even if that means she's running behind with her appointments. I think I'd look for another one.

software · ‎06-08-2016

@cuddlesmama wrote:
My husband has had the same doctor for many years and felt quite content with him until recently. At his annual physical my husband was asking questions about his health and the doctor said "You are asking too many questions I have other patients" On another occasion my husband wasn't feeling well and the Doctor said all that you are feeling is all in his head. My husband fell off a ladder and when the hospital did a CT scan and found something on his liver and they said follow up with your PCP, which my husband did and he ordered another CT scan and when I called him and stated he shouldn't have another cat scan so soon because of the radiation he would be getting he said yes you are right so he ordered a MRI instead. So he had a CT in Dec 2016 and an MRI March 2017.Everythin came out negative I am so grateful for that as I was soo worried. Anyone else have rude experiences with your PCP?

To think that is one thing, to say it is another.

I assume your husband is a paying customer so he is paying for the doctor's time. Unless the doctor is treating him for free.

Glad it was't serious.

Maybe the doctor was in a hurry to catch a bus.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

I changed doctors several years ago because I got sick of her running a minimum 3 hours behind with no concern for my time. Made no difference if I scheduled the first or last appt of the day, she was always 3 hours late so I fired her. Other than that my doctor visits are uncomplicated and don’t take much time.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@henderson wrote:
My new primary care physician says she always has time to answer my questions even if that means she's running behind with her appointments. I think I'd look for another one.

@henderson My doctor is the same. I ask her a million questions. I've been seeing her 17 years, ever since I moved to the area. If a doctor got impatient, I'd find another one.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

I've had my current dr for 10 yrs. Longest I've had any dr.

You can book a short appt of 12-15 minutes or request a long appt of 30 minutes. He keeps to his schedule, never had to wait more than 10 minutes.

My neighbor is a nurse, appointments are 12 minutes in her office. Period. She had to verbally reprimand a new nurse at her practice for counseling a patient who was not tolerating their meds well and spent 20 minutes with the patient.

excpa · ‎09-12-2015

I have had so many bad experiences with PCPs that I no longer have one. I decided no medical care was better (and safer) than bad medical care.

For some reason, this has infuriated some people. I guess being happy and healthy without the permission of the medical community is unacceptable.

Four years and counting. No prescription meds. No expensive, annoying tests.

I don't trust anyone who thinks that old age is curable and whose goal is to keep people alive, regardless of personal wishes, at least until their insurance runs out.

May not work for everyone, but for the last 4 years I have been free of fear. I expect to die someday and don't want to be treated like someone's profit center.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

I've gone to the office of my primary care physican for almost 20 straight years. There were a couple years when I was on my hubby's Kaiser insurance but once I had the option to go back to my own insurance I went back to my original doctor.

The difference is. . .now I don't usually see him, I see one of his nurse practitioners for routine appointments. And that's fine as they run on-time and I never feel rushed.

My PCP is a sports medicine doctor that has become quite popular. The last time I actually saw *him* was a couple years ago when I was having a neck problem. He saw me, had his tech take an X-Ray, and then spent the time reviewing it with me.

I really like him and all his staff.

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

@excpa wrote:
I have had so many bad experiences with PCPs that I no longer have one. I decided no medical care was better (and safer) than bad medical care.
For some reason, this has infuriated some people. I guess being happy and healthy without the permission of the medical community is unacceptable.
Four years and counting. No prescription meds. No expensive, annoying tests.
I don't trust anyone who thinks that old age is curable and whose goal is to keep people alive, regardless of personal wishes, at least until their insurance runs out.
May not work for everyone, but for the last 4 years I have been free of fear. I expect to die someday and don't want to be treated like someone's profit center.

Oh I completely agree with you that many doctors like to practice total cashectomies on their patients.

Altho I live with an auto immune disorder I don't see my dr but once or twice a year unless I get a nasty flare.