switching docs in the same practice - a bad idea?

Stef17

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 1811

Posted 8/23/2007 9:28 AM (GMT -7)

I've been planning on switching docs and as I've been inquiring - a friend of mine recommended her GI - thinks he great, the whole 9 yards. So, as I go to check and see if he's on my insurance I find that he's a doc in the same practice as my current doc - the doc I want to leave.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to switch to one of my doc's colleagues. I'd never bad-mouth her, but since the new doc will know her personally he might have opinions towards me for dumping her and switching to him.

Is this a bad idea? Should I just find someone, somewhere else? Opinions?

JudyK89

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2006

Posts : 1986

Posted 8/23/2007 9:41 AM (GMT -7)

I switched because a specialist asked me to. I'm not entirely happy with my new doc though, so I'm thinking of switching back. I see no reason why you can't switch. Just tell the new doc you heard so many good things about him, don't say anything about the other doc, you may end up needing to use her in an emergency situation (my doc that I left was my doc during my last hospital stay because I was admitted through the ER).

Judy

25+years diagnosed with CD.

Numerous surgeries, permanent ostomy, adverse reactions to Remicade, finally off of Prednisone, hoping for a long remission from this last surgery.

ginger71

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2005

Posts : 722

Posted 8/23/2007 9:43 AM (GMT -7)

I don't know if you are in a large or small city.....I am in a medium/large sized city-and a lot of the Drs. know each other, anyway. I have had one of my Drs. call another Dr. that I left about records so I think you may run that risk wherever you go. You might as well go to the Dr. you really want to see.

JMO

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

36 year old female. Dx'd and undx'd a few times. Was just redx'd again 04/2007.

History of rectal abscesses and fistulas (28 surgeries including abscess I & D, exploratory surgeries, 2 C-ton drains and 1 fistula plug) Count does not include self bursting abscesses.

1st Remicade infusion 6/5/07. Lots of joint pain, and a new fistula since the 2nd infusion 6/19.

Praying I'll get better soon so we can have a baby.

Ginger :)

tinglebell

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 532

Posted 8/23/2007 10:47 AM (GMT -7)

Hi! I have been a nurse for a long time and have never seen this happen, in the hospital anyway. It's because they have to cover each other, and one is always better/different than the other. It took me a long time to find an internist that had partners I liked. Now, if you talk to your present doc, and tell her you would rather have a male doc, that might work. He will of course have complete access to your chart, but if he's a good doc, he will form his own opinion. Good luck. and let us know.

DIANNE

Diagnosed at age 19 with CD.

3 small bowel resections, 1 for perforation, 2 for strictures

malakai

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 277

Posted 8/23/2007 11:32 AM (GMT -7)

I agree with judyk89. I have had that experience 2x. One with a primary care physician and the other with a mental health therapist but in both cases, they were in the same practice so it was kind of awkward at first but now I don't even think twice about it. In fact I am glad I made the move because the new physicians were wonderful. I would definately not bad mouth the old dr just say that you heard from word of mouth from a friend how great this new dr is and you wanted to see for yourself. You need to advocate for your health and if you are unsatisfied with that first doctor, then switch to the other.

<FONT color=blue>Diagnosed: 08/03/07

Nanners

Elite Member

Joined : Apr 2005

Posts : 14995

Posted 8/23/2007 11:44 AM (GMT -7)

I just did that about 1 1/2 years ago. I just didn't seem to have a connection to one GI (he actually ticked me off) and asked the nurses for a referral to another. The recommended my new one who is in the same office as my old. I have never said anything negative about the other doc, other than I was looking for another opinion as the old one seemed to have run out of ideas for me. Everything has been fine since. Go for it, remember they work for you!

Been living with Crohn's Disease for 32 years. Currently on Asacol, Prilosec 60 mg, Estrace, Prinivil, Diltiazem, Percoset prn for pain and Calcium. Resections in 2002 and 2005. Recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and doing tests to see if I have Inflammatory Arthritis or AS.

bania

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2003

Posts : 642

Posted 8/23/2007 11:53 AM (GMT -7)

What's more important - getting healthy and having a good doctor, or protecting doctors' feelings and avoiding awkwardness? Remember, YOU and YOUR health are what's important here. You are the customer and it's a free market. Definitely try the other doc. Don't badmouth the old one, just move on and do what's right for you.

Soup's not a meal! You're supposed to buy me a meal!

Bania

Mormor Vicky

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 684

Posted 8/24/2007 7:14 AM (GMT -7)

I wanted to change doctors because I had many problems with my old one, like him almost killing me by putting me on too much 6-mp and him not listening to me when I told him I got bad reactions to my pred (diabetes) and 6-mp, but I really liked the clinic and it was recognized for the excellence it had. Anyway, when I talked to the office manager about switching, I was told that they would prefer that I leave the clinic since the doctors covered for each other and worked closely together. My doctor had only been in practice for a year or two so I'll chalk it up to inexperience. Since I really liked the clinic and it was convenient and my insurance covered them I stayed and decided to grin and bear it since I am in remission anyway. My last checkup my doctor said he was leaving the practice and moving to Boston so I'm now going to go to a partner who I had met when I was in isolation last fall. I really liked him. So I guess good things happen to those who wait.

Vicky / 47 years old

DX'd with Crohn's during a resection August 2006

DX'd with Steriod induced Diabetes November 2006

Considered in Clinical remission but have minor signs of disease activity

Daughter (26) also has Crohn's since she was 12.

Currently on 4000mg of Pentasa only for Crohn's

No longer able to take 6-MP because of Bone-Marrow Suppression

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