Changing Doctors

It is believed that change is better for us than what a holiday is. I am generally a really firm believer of this. I mean a change of hair, new color, and new style always makes me feel better. Moving houses, and new beginnings and all that, changing jobs. These are all things that could be considered to fall into the category of change is as good as a holiday. If not better. I will admit to being a creature of habit and not always being open to change. However when I know it inevitable then I am open to making the best of it.

Needing a new doctor

By no means was it my choosing to need a new doctor, my medical insurance plan changed and my doctor was no longer available to me. I must be really honest now and tell you that I was pretty upset. He has been my GP for the last 5 years and I have been building a relationship with him as my health care provider. He has been there for me through many an illness, and we have battled my skin and my joints together as a united front. Now, that has all been stripped away from me. I feel like a very steadfast pillar in my life has been shifted. Now some of you might be thinking, wow she is being a bit dramatic, and that is okay. Once you have had a doctor who you trust and who trusts you so much, you can be sure you will have a much deeper understanding of this.

Who to choose

Once again, due to my medical insurance , I have a handful of doctors in the area that I can chose from, and then the costs of my visits to see the doctor are covered. Over the years the list has become less and less as things change, and there were about 6 to choose from, one of which was in my neighborhood and close to my office. I thought it would be convenient and easy. That being said, I had also heard good things about the head doctor of the practice.

Locum, oh locum

When I made the appointment, I was told that the primary doctor was not available in the afternoons. I would need to see the locum*. My head tricked me, and told me that it was going to be a new doctor anyway, so what is the difference? So I took the appointment, I was not feeling well and had some high levels of inflammation and needed to kick up my pain medication. Meeting me in reception the young lady seemed nice enough, I went in and started to explain my needs. Now, this part caught me by surprise, she was dismissive, short with me and rather curt. She made me feel like someone who was just there to get stronger medication without a valid reason. Maybe I was overreacting, but I decided to follow my heart on this. A prescription for stronger pain medication is still needed and my heart feels defeated. Her bedside manner leaves much to be desired and I was not happy with the experience. I left feeling less than cared for, the irony of the fact that doctors are caregivers was not lost on me.

More changes coming

Needless to say I will not be going back, in the meantime I will be paying to see my previous doctor to get what I need for now and I am once again on the hunt for a new doctor. If you ever feel like your doctor is not giving you the attention that you need or the care that you require. Maybe it is time to be looking at making a shift. I honestly feel that it is so important to have a good bond with your doctor. For us the become such an integral part of our lives.

*Editor's note: A locum is a person who for a temporary amount of time responsibilities of another. For example, a locum tenens physician is a physician who works in the place of the regular physician when that physician is absent, or if there is a staff shortage.¹