dr. question

[anniemae]

I go to a dermatologist every year for my skin check. This dr. is knowledgeable and can be really nice. At times though he is very abrupt and dismissive. I feel like he rushes too much through the skin check and I dont feel he is very thorough. Last visit he barged in without knocking (it was fine, I was covered.) But when he left I was scrambling to sit up (I had been on the table face down so he could check my back) and was grabbing the paper gown to cover up and he flung the door open. I was completely naked except for my underpants, which they tell you to leave on. People were walking by the room and I was mortified.

On the way out I booked my appt. for next year but really want to switch dr.'s. I was flustered and just wanted to leave so I booked with him.

There is an NP at the same practice that gets really good reviews and I want to switch to her. She is very popular and books way out. She is also only in this office one day a week so if you have to cancel, it's hard to get another appt. My current dr. is in the office multiple days a week.

Would you switch? Would it be awkward to call and ask to switch my next appt. with her? What would you say to the receptionist? I don't want to say anything negative about this dr. or complain about him. I just want to ask to switch from Dr. A to Dr. B for my next appt Would you switch. I should also mention that the dr. I went to is considered top in his field and very good at what he does.

 

[lynxstch]

I would switch. I would also let the Doctor know why you're switching. I think he needs to know how uncomfortable he made you.

 

[leebee]

Switch. Just say you want to switch... shouldn't matter why. If you have to say something, just say you weren't comfortable with his lack of sensitivity to your privacy when opening/closing the door.

 

[Marrila]

I would just switch. I would never feel like I have to say anything else.

 

[Disneylover99]

I wouldn’t switch. I’d want the convenience of getting appts. quicker.

But if you want to switch, go for it! Tell them you’d feel more comfortable with a female dr.

 

[slo]

I manage a doctors office, and I can say with complete confidence that whoever is the receptionist there, is probably not going to think twice about why you want to switch. They honestly will probably appreciate it more if you would keep your call brief - say you wanna switch and pick out a time as opposed to going into a long rendition about why you want to switch. If they ask you why you’re switching, just tell them your last visit didn’t go the way you would have liked and you want to switch.

In regards to if I would switch….probably not. The doctor might have been having an off day, who knows, but if he’s a good doctor, I probably would give him one more chance. If he acts the same way a second time then I’m definitely leaving.

Good luck - I hope everything works out for you

 

[MICKIMINI]

Switch! You have lost confidence in your current doc. There is no excuse for flinging open the door and exposing you.

 

[disneychrista]

I am shocked at how quickly they do the skin check. I know they know what they are looking for. But I also wish they took more time and did what I think would be a more thorough check.

As to if I would switch, I am not sure. My dentist does not have the greatest chair side manner. But I really like the hygienist and since I see her more I just go in knowing how the dentist is and don't expect more. If you have been going for awhile and this is the first time he has had this behavior I might give it one more time.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Just a hug and encouragement to indeed switch to someone you feel comfortable with.

 

[PrincessJo]

I think you should listen to your gut and find the courage to do what YOU think you should do.

Don't follow any stranger's advice.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I am shocked at how quickly they do the skin check. I know they know what they are looking for. But I also wish they took more time and did what I think would be a more thorough check.

As to if I would switch, I am not sure. My dentist does not have the greatest chair side manner. But I really like the hygienist and since I see her more I just go in knowing how the dentist is and don't expect more. If you have been going for awhile and this is the first time he has had this behavior I might give it one more time.

Remember, the dentist likely didn't expose the backside of a patient...just sayin'. I have a doc I am not crazy about, but I am fully clothed when seeing him...big difference. And yes, do what you feel is best in this situation.

 

[Disneefun]

Just remember that if you switch, you may still have to see this doctor on occasion. The person you want to switch to is an NP, which is fine for most things, but if your routine check turns up something that needs to be dealt with, odds are she'll pass you on to this guy, anyway. I'd prefer the convenience of having to just deal with the doctor outright, but then again, my skin checks turn up problems pretty often and it would be easier for me to put up with a little discomfort/dislike (especially if he is very good at what he does) rather than having to schedule multiple appointments, etc. But that's me.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

For skin issues, based on some things I’ve had happen w family members and myself, I like to see an MD. If he’s excellent I’d probably stick with him - it could be a lifesaver some day. I’d literally just plan on staying covered on the table until he leaves the room. Or make sure the curtain stays closed (if there is one).

He sounds like one of these people that is super smart but not much common sense or sensitivity to those around him.

 

[kanne323]

I personally would try an appointment with the NP if possible. I also recently left a practice due to a similar thing with a physician, who threw the door open when I was uncovered, made zero eye contact (looked at the ceiling, looked at the floor, never looked at me), would not let me ask any questions, and had a weird response when I bled after a cortisone injection. I didn't tell the practice why I wasn't returning, but I would have been honest on a survey if I had received one.

In my last career, part of my job involved teaching medical students how to communicate with patients and families, working on those soft skills that are not addressed much or at all in medical school. I normally don't have a problem gently mentioning something that makes me uncomfortable, but this physician made me sooo uncomfortable I couldn't this time.

So I'd change, if I could. I understand derms can be hard to come by (or at least they are in my area), but if I wasn't routinely having stuff removed and was going more for annual screening, I'd change.