Anyone run into this at the pediatrician's office?

[ekatiel]

So I took my boys for their well-check appointments today that I made six weeks ago. We got there and the nurse said, "Doctor so and so will be with you in a minute." I said, "Doctor who??!! That's not our doctor. Our doctor is Dr. X." The nurse says, "Well, when you called, you should have specified that you wanted to see Dr. X. We just schedule you with whomever, if you don't specify." "Really," I say astounded, "Even for a well-check??!" "Yes," she says.

When I called (SIX WEEKS AGO) no doctor's name was ever mentioned. I guess I incorrectly assumed that we would be with OUR doctor since it was a well-check, and I was making the appointment so far in advance. When the boys are sick, I have no problem seeing other doctors in the practice, but for a well-check that just seems weird. And usually when they're sick, the conversation goes something like this, "Well, we can't get you in with Dr. X, but you can see Dr. So and So at 1pm." And then I say OK. I just find it really odd that they gave me an appointment with a different doctor and didn't even mention it. I did tell them today that I would like to see Dr. X, and they did accommodate us, so that was good.

I still think the whole experience was a little strange, though. What if one of my kids is hospitalized for something and the ER doc calls and wants to talk to his ped, and the ped hasn't even seen him in three years ? Just think it's weird. Why do I even "choose" a ped, if we're never going to see him? Has this happened to anyone else for a well-check? --Katie

 

[Sadie22]

If it'a a group practice, you need to state who you want to make an appointment with. At least confirm who the appointment is with before hanging up the phone. Yes, this has happened many times over the 40 years or so I've been making appointments. Some reasons have been new front desk staff, sick doctors, emergencies, doctors going on vacation and no one told the patients, doctors leaving the practice, and lots of other reasons.

 

[mom2rose&john]

So I took my boys for their well-check appointments today that I made six weeks ago. We got there and the nurse said, "Doctor so and so will be with you in a minute." I said, "Doctor who??!! That's not our doctor. Our doctor is Dr. X." The nurse says, "Well, when you called, you should have specified that you wanted to see Dr. X. We just schedule you with whomever, if you don't specify." "Really," I say astounded, "Even for a well-check??!" "Yes," she says.

When I called (SIX WEEKS AGO) no doctor's name was ever mentioned. I guess I incorrectly assumed that we would be with OUR doctor since it was a well-check, and I was making the appointment so far in advance. When the boys are sick, I have no problem seeing other doctors in the practice, but for a well-check that just seems weird. And usually when they're sick, the conversation goes something like this, "Well, we can't get you in with Dr. X, but you can see Dr. So and So at 1pm." And then I say OK. I just find it really odd that they gave me an appointment with a different doctor and didn't even mention it. I did tell them today that I would like to see Dr. X, and they did accommodate us, so that was good.

I still think the whole experience was a little strange, though. What if one of my kids is hospitalized for something and the ER doc calls and wants to talk to his ped, and the ped hasn't even seen him in three years ? Just think it's weird. Why do I even "choose" a ped, if we're never going to see him? Has this happened to anyone else for a well-check? --Katie

This is common in a group practice. Usually the front desk will ask if you a particular doctor you would like to see and schedule you according to what open in that physicians schedule.

 

[CatNipRules]

We've definitely had this happen to us before. I learned after the first time to specify that I wanted to see my son's doctor instead of someone else in the group. I only trust my son's doctor with well checks. Especially since he was my doctor when I was a kid.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

I understand that every practice is run differently but at our pediatrician, patients don't have a specific doctor. You're always scheduled with who ever is available unless you specify.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Our group asks which doctor your child sees at the beginning of the call. Well visits are only with your doctor. I love our group. They are always on time with one exception over the years & I was asked if it was ok to see the other patient first.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Pretty common practice around here. If you want a specific doctor you need to make sure you specify that when make the appointment

 

[kkandaj]

I don't think this is abnormal, though usually the front desk attendant will say "your appointment is xyz with Dr. xyz." For every appointment, I ask for our specific ped, because DS has medical issues and I feel more comfotable with one doc really "knowing" him. Our ped is with a group of 10 or so peds--and they see over 7000 patients. They will make your appointment with any doc if you don't request a specific request. I have to call 2-3 months in advance to get well checks with our ped, but he is worth the time/effort.

As for if an ER doc called your ped--that ped should be able to pull the child's chart and review the notes of the last time your child was seen, no matter which doctor saw your child. Not that I think is how it "should" be, but I don't think it's abnormal with our health care system.

 

[QVCshopper]

Yes, I always specify for a well visit. For a sick visit, we see whoever is there, and I'm thankful they have Saturday and even a couple Sunday appointments.

 

[jiminykrikkit]

Yep, this is pretty common for a group practice. Now I usually just say "Hi, I'd like to make an appointment with Dr. H please". Then we go over the availability with that particular doctor.

If the doctor is more important than the schedule, then that's what I usually do. If the schedule is more important (like I need to get in ASAP or only have a certain day free) then that takes priority and I'm okay if we need to see a different physician. That's actually how I met my personal doctor, because I liked her so much when she saw my son for an emergency (It's a family practice, not a dedicated pediatric practice).

Take it as a learning experience! It stinks that there's not like a handbook somewhere with all the little details like this.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Same here, you need to specify or you are scheduled with whoever has the first open physical. Physicals take a longer time and are usually 4-5 months out if you want it with your doctor. Since my son is 16, he will only see the male doctor I know to call 6 months out for his well visit.

Sorry you were disappointed with your visit. I hope the doctor you did have was up to your standards.

 

[goodeats]

That is not my experience with my group practice. For well checks they tell me when our Dr. is available, and ask if we'd like to see someone else instead. For sick visits it could be anybody.

 

[ekatiel]

Our group asks which doctor your child sees at the beginning of the call. Well visits are only with your doctor. I love our group. They are always on time with one exception over the years & I was asked if it was ok to see the other patient first.

That is not my experience with my group practice. For well checks they tell me when our Dr. is available, and ask if we'd like to see someone else instead. For sick visits it could be anybody.

This has always been my experience, too, although we moved to a different side of town two years ago, so we've only been with this ped for two years. Maybe I just got lucky for the well visits for the past two years? I will make sure to specify next time. Lesson learned. --Katie

 

[MomRN]

Thanks for the reminder to schedule my son's well check appointment!

I had it scheduled with another doctor in the office, a pediatrician who has seen him when sick before. However, ds has had issues that were referred to an outside psychologist that can only be discussed with his pedi, and if I do that outside a well-check insurance doesn't cover, so....

We have an appt for 9-17 with his ped. Could have came in next week for the other.

 

[sk!mom]

No, it hasn't happened but because all of our docs are in group practice, it is necessary to state, "I would like to make an appointment with Dr. X"" when speaking with reception. Our Ped is in a large practice with usually 3 receptionists manning the phones and desk. If I didn't state a name, then I don't know what would happen. I just know that I need to or they would have no way of knowing which of the 8 or so docs I want an appointment with.

 

[ceecee]

With our group, you get whoever is available first UNLESS you specify which Dr you want.

 

[Southernmiss]

with our group, you get whoever is available first unless you specify which dr you want.

+1

 

[ceemys]

I always state my doctor's name.

 

[Jenny3]

My pediatrician office has two doctors and one nurse practitioner on staff; the front desk always tells me who the appointment is with and gives me the option of changing the appointment if I don't want that specific doctor.

Thankfully, it's a very small practice and all three professionals know my kids, so I'm good with who I get

 

[JoiseyMom]

I always specify which Dr. I want to see when I am making a well check. We only have one Dr per office but they have five or six offices, so depending on what day you make the appt the dr. will be different. We also see whoever when sick, unless I go to a different office to see a specific doctor.