I wrote recently that I burned a bridge with a physician who had been caring for me for years. He restructured his practice and raised his prices ridiculously high and I was paying out of pocket to see him. Yes, I was reimbursed by our insurance company but it was really the point that I was irritated at.
Well…I think I’m about to build that bridge back up. I’ve tried to replace this physician but so far the new guys have yet to fill his shoes. That will teach me to burn a bridge. Jeez. I’ve never done that before. Every job I’ve ever had I left on good terms. Every time I changed doctors or pediatricians when my kids were younger I did so quietly. Actually I’m not even one to doctor hop. I stayed with many doctors who treated Thomas for years. Leaving them only because we had no other choice like when he went to residential school. Or turned into total biatches for no reason. When our best pediatrician retired I was really unhappy. I was thrilled for her but sad for us. She and I used to talk forever when I brought one of my kids in. It was nice.
It’s hard to ask for recommendations for physicians from other people. We all have different needs when it comes to doctors. I need someone warm and fuzzy with a personality and who will talk to me. I’m probably high maintenance as a patient. I have friends who aren’t interested in anything but being treated appropriately by a physician, no chatting, no nothing. Just go in and then get out. For my kids I need someone with a warm personality. I’m down to just Samantha and those days are numbered for her to be seeing a pediatrician anyway. But she’s not 18 yet. The practice I take her to is very big (something I usually avoid like the plague) but they have a couple of awesome nurse practitioners who are very thorough. I don’t think they remember us from Adam when we go but meh it’s fine. Sam’s not so high maintenance physically that I care so much. It’s other specialists she needs to see that must meet my criteria.
So wish me luck eating crow, as I brick by brick rebuild a bridge. I’m sure it won’t be as bad as I’m making it out to be, but I keep putting off that phone call and hoping the new guy will magically become the previous bridge-burned guy.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 