How loyal are you to your doctor?

17 years ago

We have had the same doctor for the last 10 years. And the only reason we changed then was because we moved.

Our current doctor is great. He actually takes notes about things that the boys do and when we go back he will ask about those things, like school and other different activities. There is only one time that I can think of that he got nasty with us. DH had gone there once for his back troubles and he snapped at us and said "We told you people that we don't deal with workers comp. cases!" We explained that it wasn't workers comp. related. And the next time we went in he apologized to us for how he had been.

Anyway, about 6 months ago he left the building he was in due to a falling out with the other doctor. He moved to a practice across town. It has been nothing but a pain dealing with the new secretaries at this office. They are always messing something up. Most of the time I can't even get an answer when I call the office, it will either ring and ring or be busy. The old office had a great phone system where they could actually put some one on hold to answer another line or another secretary could answer. *gasp* Imagine that!

I had an appointment for Thursday. I called on Monday (had trouble getting some one to answer to begin with) and when some one finally answered I canceled for Thursday. I was gone most of the day today. I came home and checked the caller ID and saw that they had called. I returned the call and asked why they had called. No one remembered calling me much less why they called. I asked "Could this have anything to do with the appointment I canceled for tomorrow?" She looked it up and said "You canceled that?" I said "Yes, on Monday." She said "Oh, I will take care of that then." Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Mind you, at this office if you don't call to cancel at least 24 hours prior to the appointment they charge you anyway. What if I didn't have caller ID? Or what if I didn't notice that they called? Would I have been charged for tomorrows appointment?

The doctor that he used to be partners with was amazing as well. We had to see him several times if our doctor was out or on vacation. I called to see if he was taking new patients and the secretary told me that he still has copies of all of our records because he has seen us before, and he considers us patients of his to begin with.

What would it take for you to switch to a different doctor?

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Comments (17)

alisande
17 years ago
It would take nothing for me to switch to the other doctor. If you need a reason, tell yourself that the aggravation caused by the new office staff is bad for your health.

By the way, it's good that the first guy apologized for his inappropriate comment, but I would be very put off by anyone who snapped at me and used the phrase "you people."

Your first loyalty is to yourself.
tami_ohio
17 years ago
Heather, try to talk with your dr. personally about the way the office is being run. He may not even know there is problems with getting the phone answered or that things aren't being handled properly, like with your cancelled appt. If you do, and he doesn't seem concerned about it, switch if you are happy with his old partner.

Tami
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Linda
17 years ago
If i really liked doctor #1, I would either send him a letter or get him on the phone and discuss your concerns with his phone system and/or staff. If nothing changes, then go to doctor #2. Personally, over the last month I have had to make appointments with 3 or 4 different doctors. All the office staff was awful. One doctor I had called three times, each time I was either disconnected or left on hold for more than 10 minutes. Another one, I didnt realize I called 2 minutes before lunch hour. Someone had obviously picked up the phone to make an outgoing call before it rang on the other side. When they said, "hello", I asked if it was Dr. So and sos office. She said, hold on, and then left me on hold until it switched over to a message that said, "our office is closed for lunch". I was livid. I've also left messages to make appointments and a week later, no return call. It seems like either doctors don't pay the staff enough to keep the good ones, or there is just no one who has any work ethic anymore.
monica_pa Grieves
17 years ago
No problem at all. The reasons you listed for being loyal to him are all personal - he asks your children about non-medical activities, not medical...and when there was a medical situation with DH - he got nasty.

I would change doctors.
barbara3
17 years ago
I wouldn't switch from my doctor to another one for all the tea in China. I have been going to her for over 20 years and she knows my history, medical and personal. She is very proactive with tests and treatments. She ordered all kinds of benchmark tests when I turned 50 and keeps track of when things have to be done and updated. Her medical group moved offices a couple of years ago and now I can see her door from my kitchen window. If I go to an appointment and there is a long wait, her secretary tells me to go home (it's a 2 minute walk) and then she calls me when my turn comes around. I'm sure the other patients who have been sitting there for an hour wonder why I can waltz in and go directly to her office - LOL!
grammahony
17 years ago
He moved because of a falling out with another doctor. And he snapped at you (you people). Sounds like he has anger issues.
I'd go to the other one.
Leslie
country_bumpkin_al
17 years ago
The way I look at it and Dr. works for ME! (I'm paying him) and I would have no problem firing him!
mcmann
17 years ago
If you liked him as much as you said then I'd overlook one 'nasty' comment, especially since you've been seeing him for 10 years and he apologized.

However, I would not excuse a medical office that was poorly run. First I'd call the doctor personally to let him know the situation. If you don't receive a satisfactory explanation or a promise that this is a temporary issue that will be corrected quickly (like this week) then I would switch physicians.

The same individuals who cannot answer the phone or keep track of the calls might be the same ones who handle your insurance or your medical records. And you certainly don't want them handled incorrectly. There's a chance that you physician is unaware how the new office is run and you're actually doing him a favor to inform him. If he is aware of it and accepts it- then I'd leave in a flash.

Good luck.
softball_80
17 years ago
There are two kinds of people I hate to switch - doctors & hair stylists! LOL the latter because I hate to describe to a stranger how I want my hair cut, even though I'm not that fussy. I like to say 'same as always'.

For doctors I think the continuity is important and that's why I have had the same guy for over 15 years.

When I was a toddler I climbed up and fell out of a crib. My parents who had moved here to the USA from Ireland shortly before I was born didn't really have a family doctor at the time. They got the name of a Dr. Shore out of the phone book because his office was only a short distance away and Dad didn't drive at the time. They called the doctor and he made a house call (early '50s as you might guess) to people he never even met. Mom & Dad were so impressed our whole family went to him & his wife - also an MD - until they retired over 30 years later.

Now THAT'S loyalty!
linda_in_iowa
17 years ago
I am very loyal to my doctor and would never switch. She isn't accepting any new patients and several people have told me how lucky I am to be her patient.
As others have suggested, I would write your doctor a letter, mark the envelope "personal" and tell him why you are switching. You might also call the office and ask to speak with the office manager and explain your concern to her.
When I moved here from CA, if was hard to leave my hair stylist, doctor and dentist. Now I am just as attached to my new ones here. It seemed easy for me to find a good doctor and dentist but it took a couple of years to find a good stylist.
monica_pa Grieves
17 years ago
Sounds like your doctor joined another group practice. He may have no control over how the office/calls are handled. he might even be salaried.
heatherinohio
Original Author
17 years ago
Its very interesting all the different responses. My son needs to go in here soon for a follow-up appointment. I think that I will do what has been mentioned and say something to him about what has gone on. I will see what his response is.

Thank you for your advice and opinions. I am really on the fence here. I was ready to just go to the other doctor, but he (my current doctor) might be clueless as to how the office is run.

The harsh statement that he made, it doesn't bother me. It did at the time, of course, but not anymore. Everyone has an off day and everyone has snapped at people and then wished they hadn't.

Thanks again. :)
carla35
17 years ago
heather,

One of my doctors is like this. It was very frustrating... I seriously could not even get through on the the phone to them. Then I discovered they did almost everything online... from appointments, to questions, etc. and they would respond very quickly if you did it via computer! Maybe your doctor is doing something similar...
chisue
17 years ago
DH and I think our MD is good. Not great, but good. However, the office where he is a partner is terrific!

Our previous MD *fired us* after we complained about his office staff mixing things up. I had taken to faxing any questions to the office because the staff couldn't get a two-item message straight. The last straw was when I ended up with a three months supply of a very expensive medication that was the wrong dose -- their error, not the drug company's. When I saw the MD next, I brought it up, hoping to ensure that didn't happen again, and he hit the ceiling; told me he'd had to diagnose a cancer that morning; told me to 'sign here' and he was through with being my MD. In hindsight, we were lucky to get out before he completely lost it.

We stick with our MD *because* of his efficient and cordial office staff.
monica_pa Grieves
17 years ago
As your doctor if he is a partner or an employee.
If he's a salaried employee, he may have no say at all about the office.
irishdancersgram
17 years ago
I quit a dentist because of his office staff...And then I wrote him a letter stating my reasons but I have a feeling he never received it....
As far as the medical doctor, I've had the same one for 30 years and at this stage of the game, don't see me going anywhere...I also have a cardiologist that I just love....
nicki_in_niles
17 years ago
Sissie, I don't really know what to tell you about the Dr. thing cuz with my "situation" being how it is, I usually just end up at the urgent care if we need anything.

I just wanted to tell you I love you. Have a great night, k?

How loyal are you to your doctor?

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alisande

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