What should I do if I don't like my doctor?

Question

My ex-wife and i went to this doctor seven years ago. He became our primary. We divorced 5 years ago. I don't like this doctor and it is not convenient to where I live.

Should I just go through my hmo list and find one local. How do I go about finding a doctor I will like? I am in my mid thrities and am realizing that I really need to start going to a doctor regularly.

Answer 1

You should change to a different Dr. Your Dr. works for you so you should at least be paying one you like. You can always schedule a meeting with a local Dr. to see if you'd like him or her.

Answer 2

Ask friends & family for recommendations. Go through your HMO list. Some lists provide background information on the doctors. (e.g. schools, add'l training/certification, etc.)

Call to make an appointment. See how the front office staff treats you & if they are efficient. It's been my experience that the front office staff reflects the practice. Their tone & attitude is an indicator of the practice's attitude towards patients.

Other reasons to pay attention to your impression of the office:

The more smoothly things run, the more the doctors can focus on patient care than managing administrative matters.

You have to go through the office staff to get to the doctor.

It seems to me, if a doctor is unpleasant to work with or for - his/her people skills need work. People are usually loyal to good people and stick around.

Besides that, if it's a good place to work there's better continuity which means people know what they are doing w/ your records, your insurance billing, etc.

Even if a doctor isn't savvy on the business end, he/she should be smart enough to know his/her limits & invest in people who will run the administrative things correctly. I have been in offices where the my appointments w/ the doctor have been interrupted because the staff needed help w/ office matters.

Bring a list of your concerns & be ready to fill out information about you health history before your first appointment. Allow extra time beforehand. Pay attention to your gut reaction before settling on a doctor.

Answer 3

Sounds like you pretty much have the answer. If you don't like your doctor, you need to get a new one. Period. If you actively dislike your most important professional adviser, then you are putting your health and life at increased risk.

If you have any friends who are in the health field (preferably a doctor or nurse) then see if s/he will go over the HMO list with you.

I'm lucky because my friend of 23 years has a surgeon for a stepfather, and a nurse for a mother. (He is the only one I will allow to cut me open.)

Over the years, I have developed an independent relationship with them. When I need a specialist, I call one of them for advice.

I hope you know someone like that. Good luck!

Answer 4

See who is on your list, and see if anyone you know goes to any of them. Or you can do an interview with doctors on your list to find one that you like. You are doing a good thing realizing that your health is important to you.

Answer 5

Same way you find a good mechanic or plumber. Ask your friends who they recommend. Try the new Dr. out and go with your own gut feelings. Also try talking to any nurses you might know. They see the Dr.s as they really are and are more likely to know who the good ones are.

Answer 6

Yes you should find a doctor you like.

Answer 7

Find another dr. You are never obligated to go to a dr you dont like or that isnt conveneient.

Answer 8

Ask God to help you find a new doctor or just let him guide you by his light on how he can make things easier for you.