When is it time to get a new doctor?

[luvmarypoppins]

Just wondering what would make you get a new doctor (not counting stuff like insurance plans switching, moving etc.)

I am seriously thinking of getting a new regular gp dr. The only problem is there really arent that many around here. The only good one around here that I have heard of does not take our ins. plan.

My issues with mine are:
For example - I had blood tests 12 days ago and they havent even called me back with the results. Just routine stuff but throw in the stage 4 cancer I have and I would like to know sooner about stuff than later etc.

2. Speaking of the cancer - he put me in the hosp for about a week for something else, did all these other tests and never figured out I had cancer (ignoring the lump on my neck as :something you should get biopsied)
3. Having a weight guideline chart in the room that says 1983 on it
4. Being the lst appt. once and he comes in the room with the wrong chart, says excuse me and comes back in.
5. Having to find my own specialists etc. to get the biopsy. He couldnt even refer or know of anyone at the univ. hosp.

I could go on and on. Honestly, I think this dr. needs to retire.

I have seen the dr. who I would go to (the possible new dr. for me) as my son goes there. He is with the univ. hosp system. Only problem is that I dont like the "clinic" feel of the place. Totally inpersonal. You could wait an hour in the waiting room,you will be seen in 24 hours but not necessarily your dr. since its a group etc.

So what would make you change drs. etc.

 

[gator75]

I am in the process of chaning right now. In my case it is because of two things. first one was when i went to new dr for first time thinking they would do some basic lab work i fasted and everything I was hoping they would checkn as i have had low thyroid in the past , but she didnt feel it necessary so i still dont know where i stand. the nest issue was huge. I broke my hand while on vacation they said to see my dr when i returned so thats what i did. Did she even xray it nope. left me to my own devices wouldnt even sit down to talk to me ,so i have taken matters into my own hands and found a dr that will listen in fact i go tommorw. so i know what you are going through, and by the way i''m sorry about your cancer.

 

[honugirl]

Hey LMP!

Sorry I haven't been around much. Will get over to the other thread probably later today and give an update since surgery. Someone stuck my life on fast forward!

Anyway, if you're questioning whether or not you need a new GP, you do. I left mine when I walked in and said this is the surgery I'm having and he said, "is that an approved treatment for your condition?" And when he refused to learn about my condition being that it's rare. Also if he doesn't know contacts at other hospitals, it's time to find a new one. If he isn't networking, he isn't learning new stuff, which means he may not be up to date on everything, which with your diagnoses, could be really bad. I also switched when the doctor stopped listening to me and really hearing what I was trying to tell him. Now I have a GP I absolutely love. Good luck finding a new one! They're totally hard to find! Hugs!

 

[Bilberry]

I became so tired of dealing with doctors and hospitals, I used to have a chronic Gi issue and was a frequent visitor to hospitals, that I now arrange for my own testing, when possible of course, through Direct Labs.

http://www.directlabs.com/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx

I also purchase home testing kits from this sight:

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/

Good luck with your cancer treatments! Hope you find health care system that works best for you.

 

[beck0321]

I'm definitely changing my doctor the next time I have to go. The one I go to now actually GOOGLED something to find out what it was about!!
I went because my thumb was hurting when I would write, like REALLY bad, and all she did was prescribe me aspirin! Thankfully, with our insurance we can go to specialists without a recommendation, so that's what I did in that case.

I really sounds like your current doctor just doesn't care, or maybe really just doesn't know what to do? I would switch if I were you for sure! Ask your family, friends and coworkers and see if they go to someone that they really like. I got a suggestion for another doctor this way.

 

[Kim♥DISNEY]

I changed my doctor two years ago. I loved him and had him for about 15 years. However, his practice had grown to the point that if you were sick you never saw him. You saw the nurse practitioner.

I asked around and switched to my current doctor and I LOVE her. She takes the time to talk to you and has sent me for tests that she thought I should have done due to my family history.

I would be upset with your doctor also. Start talking to people ... in order to get a list of other doctors.

 

[Minnie]

I will be switching to a new GP soon.... At this point I truly believe the current GP should not be practicing medicine

Went to see her one morning during a several week illness and left with it just needs to pass..... Ended up hospitalized for a week that evening due to severe dehydration. The specialist I saw that evening couldn't believe that my GP didn't notice the seriousness of my condition that morning - scary stuff

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I'm considering changing my Dentist after they called to "confirm" an appointment that I never made. They called me as they were leaving their office, so I couldn't return the call, and they said the appointment was the next day. When I called in the morning they told me since there wasn't 24 hours notice, I'd be charged for a full appointment.

...yes, time for a new Dentist.

 

[DWGal210]

I would say that if you are uncomfortable for any reason, it's time to switch. I switched my OB-GYN last year for this reason.

 

[mhsjax]

There isn't a good GP that I have found where I live. Personally I just use specialist. My GP was managing my HBP, but DH goes to a cardiologist for his heart problems, I just decided to go there. I won't let my GP do pap smears because I can't stand the office staff and there is no way that I would let those nasty girls in there while I was in that position. I don't want them in the room for any reason. Thankfully GP is a woman, I now only go to her for sinus infections and even then if it is too bad I have an ENT that I go to.

Anyway OP I don't think that I would be to happy with your GP either, Good luck in what ever you decide.

 

[wilderness01]

I think I have to switch GP's too and I am none too happy about this.

 

[LuvOrlando]

The moment you find your self wondering if it's time to go, it's time to go.

For me it's all about the trust so if I don't trust what I'm being told the Dr is useless. That said if I was in your position I would forget about the clinic feel of the University Hospital and choose there because in that environment you have access to the best Radiologists, Labs and Dr's.


good luck

 

[cm8]

Just wondering what would make you get a new doctor (not counting stuff like insurance plans switching, moving etc.)

I am seriously thinking of getting a new regular gp dr. The only problem is there really arent that many around here. The only good one around here that I have heard of does not take our ins. plan.

My issues with mine are:
For example - I had blood tests 12 days ago and they havent even called me back with the results. Just routine stuff but throw in the stage 4 cancer I have and I would like to know sooner about stuff than later etc.

2. Speaking of the cancer - he put me in the hosp for about a week for something else, did all these other tests and never figured out I had cancer (ignoring the lump on my neck as :something you should get biopsied)
3. Having a weight guideline chart in the room that says 1983 on it
4. Being the lst appt. once and he comes in the room with the wrong chart, says excuse me and comes back in.
5. Having to find my own specialists etc. to get the biopsy. He couldnt even refer or know of anyone at the univ. hosp.

I could go on and on. Honestly, I think this dr. needs to retire.

I have seen the dr. who I would go to (the possible new dr. for me) as my son goes there. He is with the univ. hosp system. Only problem is that I dont like the "clinic" feel of the place. Totally inpersonal. You could wait an hour in the waiting room,you will be seen in 24 hours but not necessarily your dr. since its a group etc.

So what would make you change drs. etc.

I have always thought that anytime you ask a question like this, then this is a sign that you need to change physicians.

If you feel your needs are not being met then by all means get someone that will take the time and get you all the care you need. Before you make the practice aware of your intent, PLEASE get a copy of your entire medical record. I have known some people to get offended and "lose important" pieces of a medical record history.

When you have left the practice, send them a note addressed to the doctor. I would also ask that you keep in mind that some physicians are not really aware of what is going on in the practice and that is why they usually have a practice manager. Since your issue is with him personally, things will not get better so you should seek care else where. Good luck finding another physician to treat you

 

[C.Ann]

Just wondering what would make you get a new doctor (not counting stuff like insurance plans switching, moving etc.)

I am seriously thinking of getting a new regular gp dr. The only problem is there really arent that many around here. The only good one around here that I have heard of does not take our ins. plan.

My issues with mine are:
For example - I had blood tests 12 days ago and they havent even called me back with the results. Just routine stuff but throw in the stage 4 cancer I have and I would like to know sooner about stuff than later etc.

2. Speaking of the cancer - he put me in the hosp for about a week for something else, did all these other tests and never figured out I had cancer (ignoring the lump on my neck as :something you should get biopsied)
3. Having a weight guideline chart in the room that says 1983 on it
4. Being the lst appt. once and he comes in the room with the wrong chart, says excuse me and comes back in.
5. Having to find my own specialists etc. to get the biopsy. He couldnt even refer or know of anyone at the univ. hosp.

I could go on and on. Honestly, I think this dr. needs to retire.

I have seen the dr. who I would go to (the possible new dr. for me) as my son goes there. He is with the univ. hosp system. Only problem is that I dont like the "clinic" feel of the place. Totally inpersonal. You could wait an hour in the waiting room,you will be seen in 24 hours but not necessarily your dr. since its a group etc.

So what would make you change drs. etc.

Now!!

 

[KPeveler]

In my experience - When you have to ask, its time to get a new doctor!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I ended up changing doctors after I moved and I'll tell you what made me change:

-During the initial visit, before greeting me or anything, the doctor gave me a long lecture about how I shouldn't cough into my elbow and only into a tissue. Not the best way to make a good impression on a new patient.

-Endocrinologist in the group told me that lows and highs weren't dangerous, just annoying.

-Refusal to take action on my diabetes because my average was normal with no recognition of the effect of lows and highs.

I just generally felt that it was not a competent place. I had taken time to research my own condition, and what they were telling me simply did not jive with what I knew. I now go to a different doctor, and I knew I had the right one when the first thing she said when she saw my testing log was, 'No wonder your a1c looks normal, this isn't good!' She actually listened to me, as did the endo in that group.

Yes, it is a group like you described, but I have never had to see a different doctor, and if i's an acute illness, they will work me in that day.

 

[mrsstats]

I made my decision on Monday to change drs after waiting in the exam room for 45 minutes without the dr coming it. It was a morning appt and I asked if she was running on time and told yes. Well, I had to make another appt and I walked out of the exam room and told them I couldnt wait any longer. They wanted to know if I wanted to reschedule and I told them no. I would have thought they would have called to apologize but they did not.

 

[mickeymedic]

I switched doctors a couple years ago. I actually really liked that doctor until the last month or so that I was with her. I liked her enough to put up with her running HOURS late on appointments. I finally found a new doctor after I started having trouble with joint and muscle pain as well as extreme fatigue. My legs were so bad on some days that I could only walk short distances and I couldn't stand for more than 2-3 minutes at a time.

When all my labs came back normal my doctor told me I needed a new matress - I would sleep better and would not be in as much pain. She assured me that whatever was causing my pain was temporary and would completely resolve on its own if I got proper rest. Ummmm...no. That was NOT an acceptable answer. I found a new doctor. My symptoms went into remission - we still didn't know what was wrong, but at least my new doctor recognized that there was an actual medical problem. When my symptoms flared up with a vengence recently, my new doctor referred me to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ironically my labs are still perfectly normal. But obviously I needed medical treatment, not a new matress.

In retrospect, I should have jumped on that opportunity to convince hubby to buy a new matress anyway. I could have justified the expense as "doctor's orders.

 

[Jen414]

I switched doctors shortly after my girls were born. I arrived 10 minutes late for my appointment which was the first one after lunch. (1:00) There was NO ONE else in the waiting room and they wouldn't see me because I was late! Now mind you, I came in with 10 week old twins in their carriers. Clearly, I didn't try to be late, but when you have infant twins, sometimes you're late. And, I had probably had to wait EVERY time to see her. I requested my records be sent immediately to a new practice and I called my insurance provider and complained about the treatment I received and let them know why I was switching.