A patient leaves Flea’s practice

Wow. I’ve been thinking of switching an ObGyn. I’ve had one for ten years, mostly for yearly checkups; but last year she was called for an emergency at the last moment and the office suggested I see another doctor in the same medical group instead. The alternative was to wait 3 months for the next appointment so I agreed.

I felt more comfortable with this other doctor, so now I am trying to decide what to do. I have no specific problems with the first doctor except she appears to like “defensive” tests like a routine yearly ultrasound for no clear reason, no complaints or symptoms. Mostly though I just felt more comfortable with the new one. I think they are both reasonably good, the second one is younger.

So, this year I am kind of dragging my feet trying to decide with whom to schedule an appointment. I’d really like to go to the one I saw last year since I really felt more comfortable with her, but don’t want to offend the first one because she is nice. Not sure, she’ll notice since I only come once a year for pap smear and checkup. But now that I read this I start wondering what I should do. I wouldn’t want her as upset as flea.

I was amazed to read this thread. Practicing in a large city with a very busy group practice, patients come and go like dandelion seeds. This issue just doesn’t cross the radar screen.

There are many reasons patients change providers, the most common being a change in insurance plan with a different provider panel. Loyalty is insurance plan deep in most circumstances, regardless of how much you are admired. People move, jobs transfer. The good news is that as many or more leave other practices and join ours for the same reason.

While I believe few people leave my practice due to dissatisfaction, I realize that I will never be all things to all people, and I don’t intend to be. Can you imagine a politician capturing 100% of the vote? Chin-up and move ahead. Mistakes happen; when they do put mechanisms in place to minimize them going forward. They will still happen; perfectionists aren’t perfect.

The funny thing is that I am in a similar dilemma regarding my hairstylist of 12 years. She was out one day when I needed a haircut, so I saw another stylist in her shop (my regular sylist is the owner). Trouble is, the other stylist is better. What am I to do? I want to see the other stylist, but after seeing the owner for twelve years, I am embarrassed to change. Should I just leave this salon and try a new one? I am sure patients in our group practice have similar quandries; ultimately we don’t mind if they see another doctor, as long as they stay with the group.