Breaking Up is Hard To Do

GaryS

GaryS

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I received a letter from my PCP today. He has decided to step away from clinical practice.

In his letter, he says that he has a lot of orthopedic problems and healing is a struggle. I don't know his exact age, but he's younger than am I. He's the guy that got me to stop "running" about 20 years ago and take up bike riding. Better exercise with less risk of injury. There's irony in that as a few years ago he had a mountain bike accident (on a mountain in New Hampshire) was flown to Mass General Hospital. Which is where his practice is. Or I guess was.

He missed his last appointment with me because he was post spinal fusion for some reason. I was going to kid him when I saw him in April about that, but I guess I won't get the chance.

He notes that there are a not of new physicians in his large practice. That's great, but it means I'm going to have to vet several doctors until I find one I like. IF I find one I like.

He was my one stop shop for all of my not so serious medical problems, which stand a chance of becoming more serious as I get older.

I'm sure that he didn't want to make this decision, but he's old enough that he has to do what's best for him. He'll continue to do research and teach, which theoretically will be good for me.

I suppose I should see if the practice has a web page with the doctors listed.

He's been my doctor for about 20 years, over which time we've developed a great rapport. We spend more time joking around than discussing serious ****. He spends 20-30 minutes with me each visit, which is pretty rare these days.

Well, now I have to find another doctor to replace him. It's not going to be easy.

I know some people complain about doctors in general and their own doctors in particular. That was never a problem with my doctor. He respected me, listened to my concerns, and advised me when I really needed to do something that I didn't want to do.

I'm spoiled.
 
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That was our goal. He was smart enough to know that I take a minimalist approach to medications and treatments. I'm smart enough (barely) to know when he tells me I need to do something, then I need to do it.

Last time I saw him he told me that I was not a typical patient because I actually followed his advice. ;)

The doctor I had before him was much the same, but for reasons I won't go into, he left clinical practice and went to work doing research for a pharmaceutical company. Well one reason as they were paying three times what he was making doing internal medicine. I was fortunate then because nurse I knew knew both doctors well and said that the "new" doctor was a lot like the old one.



bigwheelzip said:
May you always be well enough that a Primary Care Physician provides your care. I "graduated" beyond mine long ago. :(
Click to expand...
 
When we moved to the Hills, I was worried about finding a PCP for primary care. I found one and we meshed well, and for 3 years it was great. The VA hospital in Hot Springs made her an offer she could not refuse including paying for a PhD. so had to find a new one. Done and so far avoided going to Rapid City except for specialists visit.
Hope it works well for you, as a good relationship with your doctor makes life more variable!
 
Mine retired a couple years back, fortunately, I found another old guy still practicing. I wonder how long he will keep going.
 
My pcp was one of my high school buddies. His dad was my pcp for years and then son took over when dad retired. I've been seeing him for about 25 years. He retired at end of 2019. The old family practice was bought out by the areas major hospital and things were not to his liking. He's got the money to retire so he did.

I went to the new dr that was assigned to me with much apprehension but first visit went great. Woman doctor very attractive with easy to like personality. She had done her homework and knew my history.

I'd started to say something and then shut up. She insisted I finish my thought. I told her the most unpleasant thing about my old pcp was the digital prostate exam. She laughed and said don't worry, I'm not sticking my fingers anyplace. I was relieved but also a bit disappointed as she is very easy on the eyes. ;)
 
My cardiologist is winding down his practice. I've known him from 25+ years ago when we were both members of a local pistol club. I've since moved about 35 miles away and since he's winding down I think I need to find a new cardiologist closer to where I live. My aunt and uncle who live by me found a new cardiologist in the next town. I hope he doesn't mind accepting a new family member.

When he would ask me about whether I owned any firearms it was to compare collections.
 
Sorry to hear that you are losing him. I have been with mine for close to 30 years and we are about the same age. Most of the health care professionals I see are around my age and will retire soon. I don't relish the thought of looking for replacements, but won't have a choice at some point. In our area everything is moving to an outfit called Ohio Health. I have had some referrals there, but I like the smaller practices since they have a more personal feel. Oh well, that's progress.
 
GaryS said:
He notes that there are a not of new physicians in his large practice. That's great, but it means I'm going to have to vet several doctors until I find one I like. IF I find one I like.

......

I'm spoiled.
Click to expand...

Vetting new doctors? Thanks for that, now I have something to start them laughing in the front office tomorrow morning. Here in Vegas the choice is thin enough it's not a case of finding one you like, it's finding one who takes your insurance and has the capacity. My buddy and his family recently went through this as their PCP's practice decided to stop taking their insurance. It was quite a search.

Yes, you're spoiled.:) So am I...for the moment. My PCP is a former USAF medic and a gun guy, but he is also getting up there in age. I'm not looking forward to his retirement.
 
The truth is that I'm not limited to this hospital or this practice. If I desire, I can go to the other hospital in the same corporation and find a primary care doctor there. Same insurance, same medical school affiliations, arguably a better cardiology service. Plus they have a primary care practice 20 minutes from my house.

It's good to live in an area with three medical schools and four major hospital systems.

Oh, and to have a great supplement to Medicare.

LVSteve said:
Vetting new doctors? Thanks for that, now I have something to start them laughing in the front office tomorrow morning. Here in Vegas the choice is thin enough it's not a case of finding one you like, it's finding one who takes your insurance and has the capacity. My buddy and his family recently went through this as their PCP's practice decided to stop taking their insurance. It was quite a search.

Yes, you're spoiled.:) So am I...for the moment. My PCP is a former USAF medic and a gun guy, but he is also getting up there in age. I'm not looking forward to his retirement.
Click to expand...
 
I haven't seen my PCP in a few years.

He renews all my prescriptions from the blood work done by my cancer doctors so I really have no reason to see him..

My PCP is awesome. I'v got him by a few years and I'm pretty sure I'll be gone before he is.
 
I feel for your loss. It's tough to start over after you've found a good one. My PCP has been my doc and a friend for about 30 years. He's 74 and I ask him every visit if he's going to retire, as he owns about 1,200 acres, keeps ~100 head of Angus on it and is a farmer at heart. For the past couple years' visits, he tells me he also loves medicine, so he will keep going at that as long as he feels he can keep up with all the new stuff coming out.
Whew, safe for another 6 months.
 
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My GI doc retired over a year ago. My heart Doc is getting up there so I am concerned that he will retire. My kidney Doc should be around when I am gone.
My family Doc is a really nice guy. He is a hard core gun guy and we have some good discussions. His nurse just shakes her head because he is getting farther behind on his schedule.
 
I keep my Doc on my prayer list, for his health and his marriage. Good Docs are hard to find, I don't want mine distracted by a bad marriage or his own sick kids! Lost my last one to high blood pressure from stress! (non-smoker, vegetarian, and jogger, it must have been from guys like me!)

Ivan
 
Gary, given your rapport with him, I wonder if a note telling him how much you enjoyed being his patient and asking if he would recommend a new PCP to you would be appropriate?
 
All my DRs are younger than me.
My PCP is a PA, he's the oldest of all of them but only 3-4 years older than my oldest. My VA DR is younger than 4 out of 5 of my kids. My orthopedic DR and my Neurosurgeon are both younger than 2 or 3 of my kids.
 
Mine was trying to kill me it seems. I ended up at the cardiologist and he basically undid what the PCP did and I have had no serious problems since. I made it about 60 years without much real need for doctors but now I have a few issues and have lost a lot of respect for doctors in the process. Seems like most of them can't function without an IPAD in hand and you get 10 minutes and they're out of there. Good luck my friend and I hope you find one of the good ones.
 
Funny the topic should come up.

I've been lucky with my PCP; he's younger than me, and I've been with him for about 20 years since my previous one succumbed to cancer.

But just yesterday my local neurologist told me he is retiring, and introduced me to his replacement. Seems to be a nice guy, but it'll take a bit to build rapport.

The real revolving door problem I have is at the university clinic I've had to work with regularly for about 15 years because of a long-term permanent health issue. Because they're a teaching hospital, there seems to be a new guy or gal every year I go.

There was ONE doctor during a critical time several years ago who really knew what he was doing.

He is now working in Saudi Arabia. Apparently, they pay better :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
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