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ScottGem · Jun 22, 2007, 12:28 PM

Ok, Here's the situation. My family (myself, wife and daughter) have been with the same family physician for several years now. We like him, are comfortable with him and are pleased with the care.

But something has happened that makes me think twice about staying with him. When we first started seeing him he was a member of one group. We actually started going to the group not him specifically but liked the care he gave so asked for him specifically.

A little over a year ago though, we went to make an appt and found he was gone from the group. We later found out that he had talked to the head of the group about expanding his role and was told to leave. About a month later we got a card announcing he was joing a different group. So we followed him.

When I came back from vacation a couple of weeks ago, I found a message from the group that I needed to reschedule an appt. Before I got a chance to my daughter called for an appt and found out he had left the group. No one had heard from him or knew where he was.

A couple of days ago I got a call from him personally, telling me that he had joined another group. He explained that his contract with the last group was only for a year and expired last month. Since he wasn't happy with the group (it was kind of a mill), he had decided to leave.

The problem which is nagging at me, is this is twice he's disappeared on us and I'm just wondering what will happen the next time. Other than that he's a very good doc, but I figured I'd see what others think of this situation.

J_9 · Jun 22, 2007, 12:35 PM

Scott, I too would be a little skeptical at this point. Have you done any background research on him through your state department of health? This is where I would start if I were you.

Here is the link you can check out his background info.

Allheart · Jun 22, 2007, 12:42 PM

Hi Scott,

It is so hard to find a good doctor that you trust. If he is good and you trust him, I would not switch. Yes, it may raise an eyebrow, but I am very impressed that he called you personally.

It is very understandable that he left the first group, tried with a second, stuck to his contract and felt the second group was not for him either. It's not much different from switching jobs and finding the one you switched to wasn't what it appeared to be either. Just like it is so hard to find a great doctor, I am sure it is just as hard for these same great doctors to find a group that reflects the way he feels medicine should be practiced.

Hopefully he has found a group that he will call home for awhile. I would give him the benefit of the doubt, this time. Scott, until this changes "We like him, are comfortable with him and are pleased with the care", I wouldn't change from him.

Again, I am very impressed that he called you to let you know where he was and to inform you of his new location.

Now if this happens a 3rd time you may have to give it more thought. But until then, I would stay with him and have peace of mind that he indeed is a good doctor.

Hope this helps. :D

J_9 · Jun 22, 2007, 12:45 PM

I have to agree with Allheart in that it does raise an eyebrow, and it is impressive that he called you personally. I personally have a pediatrician that I have followed around for the past 2 or 3 groups she has been with. However, it is always best to do some research into our physicians. I never see a new one without researching their backgrounds with my state department of health.

Emland · Jun 22, 2007, 12:47 PM

If you are happy with him and feel comfortable and he is familiar with your history I would stick with him.

I spent the last 20 years with the closest thing to socialized health care we have in the US - the military's Tricare system and I never saw the same doctor twice. Never even met the doctor that delivered my child. Never saw her again afterward, either.

I have paid out of pocket to have my son see a genetic specialist and have followed him through several practices. It is a pain sometimes, but worth it. I don't think you can really blame your doctor for trying to find the best fit for himself. Also, there is no guarantee that the next doctor you find won't do the same thing.

J_9 · Jun 22, 2007, 12:57 PM

You see, many docs change practices like football players change teams. There is typically nothing wrong with it. They usually, like many nurses, contract with groups for a limited period then either re-up their contract or move on to better money or simply just a better "fit" if you will.

But it is always wise to do your research on your doc if you have any questions. Every state has a department of health that we can research our doctor's individual licensure. I personally have found a doc that I loved, thought was wonderful, but upon researching him I found that he had multiple malpractice suits and was on the verge of losing his license.

Never mess with your health, always be proactive with your health and research your doctors, nurses, and hospitals if you have any concerns.

ScottGem · Jun 22, 2007, 01:00 PM

I should add, that he recently (about 6 months ago) started treated me for Type II diabetes. When he called he told me that he was personally calling only some of his patients, the rest he would send a card to. That I was on his call list because of the on going diabetes treatment as well I think he likes the family personally.

One of the other things that bothered though was my wife's chiropractor is a personal friend of his. And we she asked him if he know what had happened, he didn't know. If he was just looking for a new group he could have made that known.

On the other hand, we tried calling the hospital where he is affiliated to see if they had heard anything and while they hadn't, they had received a lot of other calls looking for him, so he is popular.

I will probably stick with him rather than try and break in a new doc, but I just thought the situation odd so I'd see what others thought.

Allheart · Jun 22, 2007, 01:05 PM

Geez Scott,

I do love the personal attention he gives you and your family. But sadly, it really isn't all that odd and happens more than you think. I wore myself out finding one of my docs that left a practice and where she was working wasn't giving up any information as far as her new location. I didn't get a personal call from her :(, but I found her.

It does happen more than you think. For now, it does sound like you have a keeper.