New GP - not looking good so far :(

[doublevision1]

I mentioned a while ago how disappointed I am that my GP closed her practice and moved away.  She saw me through the whole diagnosis process and I'm so lucky to have had her through that difficult time.  She was my doc for 4 years, and I was crushed, though not surprised, when she told me she was leaving (her husband is RCMP and they get transferred every few years; as I did growing up as my father was also RCMP).  I had zero complaints about her, she was awesome as was her friendly, helpful assistant.  

I had to call several GP offices before I found one that was accepting new patients.  My first appt was booked for today.  Something in my gut told me to call and confirm, as I booked it many weeks ago.  Well.  I called > 20 times yesterday, and either got a voice mail saying call back later, don't leave a message as they don't check them!  or, it picked up and the message said to hold until someone was available, waited several minutes, and was disconnected!  I called and called this morning asnd finally got through, the receptionist confirmed my appt with the NURSE.  I said no, it's with the doctor, and she said oh, someone put you in with the nurse.  The doc I was supposed to see is now gone till end of Aug, so she booked me with another - I didn't know there was another - and i couldn't make out his/her name so I don't know who I'll be seeing.  I guess it might be a temp covering the other doc's vacation.

I'm hoping this isn't indicative of what it'll be like dealing with this office, but it's not looking good so far.  The words of the ER doc I dealt with recently still ring in my ear; he told me my previous GP was the best in town and he didn't think any of the others were any good.  When I joked that I might have to drive 6 hours to keep seeing her, he said in all seriousness, you'd be surprised how many people go out of town to see their dr since they can't find a good one here!  

D@mn.  Not happy today.

[Willowwoman777]

I, too, think that the signs don't bode well for a good dr/patient relationship. Sometimes, I think you actually have to interview dr's before you commit to being their patient.. you look cross eyed at a dr these days and they drop you. I'm not sure where you are in Canada, but my nephew's wife is from Canada and her family has some friends with MS who are quite pleased with their docs.

If you aren't happy with the doc, you'll have to keep looking, I guess. I go in the first time and lay it out - this is the way it is..don't jerk me around, don't chalk everything up to stress, etc. it has worked well for me.

I fired a rheumatologist last winter when she had my chart in front of her and she tried to put me on a drug that would have hurt my kidneys..she didn't even look at my chart until I reminded her I have an autoimmune kidney desease.

You are your own best advocate..don't settle for a dr you don't trust. (if at all possible given your location)

[Nancy T]

Good luck finding a good new GP. Three days ago my GP of three years told me he was moving back to Nebraska, and I was so devastated I started crying (stupid me, but I could not control it). He was so nice about it, though.

Since all my "weird stuff" started 12 years ago, I went through 5 GPs and had given up on ever finding one who actually listened. Years of hearing dismissive, impatient, patronizing comments and lack of interest took a HORRIBLE psychological toll on me, so finding this doctor lifted a huge burden off me.

Of course, all those previous bad or indifferent doctors are still in town... and THIS one has to leave.

DV, I sure hope you don't have to go through multiple docs and many years finding a new good one. Wish me luck, too! :)

Nancy T.

[doublevision1]

Thank you all.  I do think I'll keep the appt with the spare, funny you would say that Julie because I had totally forgotten that's how I got my last GP.  She was floating, doing vacation coverage for another doc I hadn't yet seen, and she ended up staying in that practice and I stuck with her.  Fingers crossed I will get lucky again.
Good thing I took care of a bunch of stuff with my GP before she left.  
It is baffling how poor the office administration is, they must get complaints all the time and definitely need a new phone system.

Ess:  all the recs from friends went nowhere...none of them taking new patients.

Lu: exactly what are the perks of living in the middle of nowhere?!  Please tell me, as I haven't encountered said perks.  :)  I guess one is that we do make a concerted effort to travel every chance we get.  It sure ain't all the great shopping up here.  lol

[Sarahsmom46]

Forwarned is forarmed.  I hate to sound pessimistic, but I think your gut feeling is probably going to be the most accurate one.  Then you never know, this "spar" doc might be better than the one you thought you were booked with.  Good docs are so hard to find these days.

Wishing you good-luck and let us know how that visit goes.  

Julie X

[Lulu54]

Living out in the almost middle of nowhere has its perks but finding medical services probably is not one of them.

It stinks that this experience has happened before you even have a chance to meet this new doctor.  You can't help but be prejudiced by all of this.

good luck, Lulu

PS six hours isn't that far to drive!  

[essdipity]

Oh boo! I agree that this may be a portent of things to come, and not a good one either. Office management techniques were not invented yesterday, for heaven's sake. Maybe the doctor has a heart of gold, or wonderful patient skills, or some other virtue that will make it all worth it.

Probably not, though :-{  I'd be scouting for a new one, even if I had to go further afield, but meanwhile going in there once to see what gives.

Can you get recs from your friends and co-workers?

ess

[MonkeyMom4]

Yep, I agree with Lisa. Move on!

There is no reason it should be that difficult to reach someone via phone.

Good luck in your search. I'm thinking the 6 hr drive might be worth it!

-Kelly

[LisaJF]

It is concisely an indication of what you will be dealing with in the future.  End this now and continue to find an office that is competent.  The staff reflects the doctor.

Lisa