doctor moving to a new practice

[LoveTrains]

Ugh, so I got a message from the doctor's office that I need to reschedule my physical for 2014. So I call - and my doctor is leaving the practice. The snotty receptionist says I can go with her to her new practice (not that close to me), ask another doctor to take me on at the current practice (which is only a possibility), or try to find a new doctor "closer to home."

I like this doctor. I put up with her being 15 minutes away because I like her. Bah. But the new practice is much farther from my house and I kind of don't want to go to the new practice. 

[Deleted]

How much farther is it? I might check out some more local options (try Yelp and Angie's List for reviews), but at the end of the day I am willing to drive probably up to 20-30 minutes to see a doctor I really like and trust vs. a closer one that's not as good. It's a big deal to me to like my doctor. Reception staff also makes a very big difference to me. IMO your health is important enough that you have to feel respected as a patient and confident in the care you are receiving, and that is worth a little extra drive time if that's what it takes to get it.

[rikki]

My doctor switched from Harvard Vanguard to Brigham and Women's earlier this year. It's not significantly farther to her new office but it doesn't have parking (the last one did) and she is now downtown (pain in the ass to get to). I really like her though and I feel like she listens to me and remembers past appointments, is caring, and competent. I've kept going to her since I don't have to see her all that often.

[LoveTrains]

New practice is like 45 minutes from my house. It is in the wrong direction (towards Boston).

[Susie]

That stinks.

I have found that for a specialist I am willing to drive, but having a PCP that was 25+ mins away didn't work for me. I realized that when I moved, liked my doctor and tried staying, but every time I felt sick it was "am I REALLY sick enough to warrant almost an hour in the car?" I have good health insurance, I should not be so reticent to use it. I found a new doc closer to home and have been happier (and probably healthier).

[pugz]

my PCP switched practices and I didn't go with her, I found another one in that office that I like. But now my OB is moving to freaking Idaho. No clue what I'm gonna do. Doctors shouldn't be allowed to move!

[Deleted]

Mar 25, 2013 14:31:48 GMT -5 pugz said:

my PCP switched practices and I didn't go with her, I found another one in that office that I like. But now my OB is moving to freaking Idaho. No clue what I'm gonna do. Doctors shouldn't be allowed to move!

Ugh, I know. My asthma and allergy doc moved to Colorado. I haven't found a good replacement still.

[pugz]

who up and moves to Idaho after 30 years in Kansas? Boo

[LoveTrains]

Mar 25, 2013 14:40:18 GMT -5 swizz said:

I can't seem to get anywhere in this area in less than 30 minutes, so 45 would only be slightly annoying to me.

For a doctor that I like (and quite frankly have never really personally found) I'd totally do the 45 minutes.

Also, I'd want to get away from a snotty receptionist.

Yes but you have never lived in RI. Anything more than 10 minutes away is an awful, terrible, no good thing. It is glorious.

So I just got recs in my office for two doctors in my neighborhood. Of course their practices are FULL and not accepting new patients. GAH. I live in the state capital, one would think that I could find a freaking primary care doctor. 

[cjeanette]

We followed our pedi when she left her practice 5 minutes from our hout to one 20 minutes away in no traffic. She was even part of a practice I had gone to as a kid. I like her that much.

[LoveTrains]

Mar 25, 2013 15:07:47 GMT -5 swizz said:

Mar 25, 2013 14:48:23 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Yes but you have never lived in RI. Anything more than 10 minutes away is an awful, terrible, no good thing. It is glorious.

So I just got recs in my office for two doctors in my neighborhood. Of course their practices are FULL and not accepting new patients. GAH. I live in the state capital, one would think that I could find a freaking primary care doctor. 

Sure, but it's likely only a few times a year, right? I'd be willing to suck it up for infrequent visits.

Honestly the bigger issues are the referrals. When I got super sick two summers ago, she wanted me to send me to all these specialists in suburban Boston - and the optho guy she sent me to was terrible. I wanted to see the specialists in RI - we have some good ones here, too. If I am going to drive to a specialist in suburban Boston I would rather go see a top doctor at a top hospital in Boston. It's like they would only refer to the doctors in her doctor network regardless of the fact that the doctors I wanted referrals to were covered by my insurance. 

So that makes me think I might look for a new doctor. but then again I need my IUD replaced this summer and I don't want to see a new doctor for that. 

[fortmyersbride]

Mar 25, 2013 14:31:48 GMT -5 pugz said:

my PCP switched practices and I didn't go with her, I found another one in that office that I like. But now my OB is moving to freaking Idaho. No clue what I'm gonna do. Doctors shouldn't be allowed to move!

Let me know if you want recs! I swear all the OBs in town are delivering at my hospital now, I can give you the inside scoop

[cjeanette]

Mar 25, 2013 17:35:49 GMT -5 fortmyersbride said:

Mar 25, 2013 14:31:48 GMT -5 pugz said:

my PCP switched practices and I didn't go with her, I found another one in that office that I like. But now my OB is moving to freaking Idaho. No clue what I'm gonna do. Doctors shouldn't be allowed to move!

Let me know if you want recs! I swear all the OBs in town are delivering at my hospital now, I can give you the inside scoop

I would ask about my OB but the last time I had the inside scoop I was told he was mean to nurses.  I don't want to know these things...lol.

[pugz]

Mar 25, 2013 17:35:49 GMT -5 fortmyersbride said:

Mar 25, 2013 14:31:48 GMT -5 pugz said:

my PCP switched practices and I didn't go with her, I found another one in that office that I like. But now my OB is moving to freaking Idaho. No clue what I'm gonna do. Doctors shouldn't be allowed to move!

Let me know if you want recs! I swear all the OBs in town are delivering at my hospital now, I can give you the inside scoop

The birth center at your hospital sounds fabulous, a couple of friends delivered there recently and loved it.  

really my biggest concern is that my doctor knew my fertility issues and was able to monitor me when I did clomid.  I hate that I will have to start all over with a new doc.  The family practice I'm in is replacing him so I may try the new doctor at my next appt in August and see what I think of him.  

[Pilsy]

Mar 25, 2013 14:53:30 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I'm very doctor loyal once I find one I like. I drove about an hour to see my doc in S.F. after I moved down to Palo Alto, and I drive ~25 minutes now to my doc in Wellesley even though I stopped working in the area. I'm generally fairly healthy though and only need to see my doc once a year so I deal with the inconvenience to stick with someone I like.

RnV, care to recommend your doc? I need one desperately.

[awkwardpenguin]

LoveTrains, thought of you as I trekked the usual 45 mins to my therapist. PCP is the same length trip. I think the city makes people's perception of a long trip change.

[Pilsy]

Mar 25, 2013 23:00:32 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Mar 25, 2013 22:36:12 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

RnV, care to recommend your doc? I need one desperately.

I would except that she's not taking on new patients, sorry!  I just re-confirmed this recently.

Always the case with anyone worth recommending, it seems! . Thanks for replying!

[LoveTrains]

Mar 25, 2013 22:57:39 GMT -5 awkwardpenguin said:

LoveTrains, thought of you as I trekked the usual 45 mins to my therapist. PCP is the same length trip. I think the city makes people's perception of a long trip change.

LOL. I live in the city! Granted, a small city, but a legitimate city. The issue is that I work and live in the same neighborhood, and the city has everything I need, so I spend 95% of my time within a 4 mile radius of a small city that doesn't have bad traffic. 

[mrssavy42112]

I live in a city too & I travel 45min to go to the Doctors that I want. Healthcare is important and I'm willing to inconvenience myself for it. I have no sympathy!! :-P

[calico]

Follow your doc, get the IUD replaced and start searching now for a new doc to switch to after the replacement.

[awkwardpenguin]

Mar 26, 2013 10:44:32 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Mar 25, 2013 22:57:39 GMT -5 awkwardpenguin said:

LoveTrains, thought of you as I trekked the usual 45 mins to my therapist. PCP is the same length trip. I think the city makes people's perception of a long trip change.

LOL. I live in the city! Granted, a small city, but a legitimate city. The issue is that I work and live in the same neighborhood, and the city has everything I need, so I spend 95% of my time within a 4 mile radius of a small city that doesn't have bad traffic. 

I suppose I mean "inconvenient cities" change things.  Plus New England isn't that clear on the concept of a "city".

[LoveTrains]

Mar 26, 2013 11:26:25 GMT -5 awkwardpenguin said:

Mar 26, 2013 10:44:32 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

LOL. I live in the city! Granted, a small city, but a legitimate city. The issue is that I work and live in the same neighborhood, and the city has everything I need, so I spend 95% of my time within a 4 mile radius of a small city that doesn't have bad traffic. 

I suppose I mean "inconvenient cities" change things.  Plus New England isn't that clear on the concept of a "city".

Hahaha, true. 

[sapphireblue]

I have a doctor I really love. There is a long wait to first get in to see her, maybe 8 months or so? But then she is really accessible.

This may be a weird offer, but if you want her name, PM me. She is in Cranston between Rolfe Square and the Whole Foods/Garden City mall.

[LoveTrains]

Mar 26, 2013 18:55:54 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

Mar 26, 2013 10:44:32 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

LOL. I live in the city! Granted, a small city, but a legitimate city. The issue is that I work and live in the same neighborhood, and the city has everything I need, so I spend 95% of my time within a 4 mile radius of a small city that doesn't have bad traffic. 

That's not an issue, it's what makes Providence wonderful!  Are you looking for primary care or gyn?  I'm happy to PM who I use.

Please do, I would love a rec! I actually need both.