How to Change Doctors

Sometimes it’s necessary to change doctors. It may be due to some circumstances like shifting your home or area or may be due to patients dissatisfaction. To leave the previous doctor and find a doctor may take some time, care and research. Because changing doctors isn’t an easy thing. Finding a doctor who is a specialist in your disease is very difficult.

1. Leaving Your Former Doctor:

• Know when to switch: Changing the doctor isn’t easy for everyone. There would be Many reasons to change doctors. For example you are moving to a new area or may be because of the unprofessional and negligence form the doctor regards your disease or condition. In these circumstances you have to change your doctor. There are Many other reasons to change your doctor which are:
  • When your doctor ignores the condition of elderly people. It didn’t take serious measures for your disease and put blame on your age. 
  • When a doctor suggests you do lab tests and reports without giving you a reason.
  • When the doctor doesn’t listen to you properly and doesn’t give you time to explain your problem.
  • When a doctor prescribes you medicine or surgery without knowing and reading your medical history.
  • If your doctor is involved in any medical malpractice allegations.
  • When your doctor isn’t a specialist in your disease.

• Decide what to tell your former doctor, if anything: For changing your doctor, you should have a valid reason to explain your former doctor.
  • If you decide to change your doctor because you’re unhappy and dissatisfied with the doctor then there is no issue to tell him or her. Feedback from the patients is very important for the doctor’s performance. If you are not comfortable telling the doctor face to face then you can also write a letter and explain your problem in the letter. 
  • If you are uncomfortable with the doctor then there is no objection to switching to a new doctor. Just tell the doctor that you are uncomfortable with you. 

• Ask your former doctor for a referral: it’s not necessary that changing the doctor will disturb your relationship with your former doctor. You may ask for the referral of any doctor from your former doctor. It’s a high chance that your former doctor knows a new good doctor for you. Such as may your former doctor have a medical colleague that would be suitable for you because the medical community is too wide. Your former doctor also knew your medical history. He or she can help to suggest to you a new doctor that is expert in your disease. So, the referral or suggestions from your former doctor for the new doctor may help you to recover from disease.

2. Finding a Replacement:

• Ask around: For switching to a new doctor you may take suggestions from your surroundings like your family or friends. Ask your friends and family some questions regarding the new doctor. Ask them how long he or she has experience, from where he got his or her degree etc. You can also take advice from your surrounding doctor to refer to a new doctor which helps to recover from disease you have.

• Search online: There are many online websites that suggest you have a doctor in your area. Many websites have details of many doctors you may search according to your desire and need. The American medical association contains a list of all doctors who are registered. You may search for a new doctor on their website. List of malpractice doctors’ records are also available on their website. If you have health insurance then your insurance company has a list of doctors on their website with their details and field. Many non governmental websites like healthgrades also have data of doctors. On these websites people also write their reviews regarding their doctors. So you can see ratings of different doctors here 

• Schedule your first appointment: Once you find a new doctor then immediately schedule an appointment with the doctor. Consult and explain your medical history and problem with the new doctor. When you visit the doctor, he or she will ask you many questions related to your disease and medical history. Maybe he or she will ask you to fill out the form. The new doctor also asks some questions regarding your former doctor and the reason behind changing the former doctor. 

3. Managing the Transition:

• Make sure the new doctor will take your insurance: Without health insurance your medical treatment may be very expensive for you. Make sure that your doctor accepts your medical insurance. You can check the doctor on your insurance company website who works with the insurance company and accept your insurance. Make sure to contact your insurance company before going to a new doctor for a medical checkup otherwise you will get a huge bill.

• Have your medical records forwarded: Make sure that your medical history and records are forwarded to the new doctor. There are many ways to forward your records and history to the new doctor. Such as:
  • You can send your reports like MRI, CT scan, X-ray reports etc. to the doctor online or by hand in the form of a file. Many laboratories have a patient portal from where you can download your reports and send them to the doctor easily.
  • If a new doctor is referred by your former doctor then his or her consultation note will help the new doctor to understand your condition easily.

• Get organized: Make your own medical records and history will help you to consult the doctor and explain your problem easily. This also helps the new doctor to understand your medical condition. Gathering all your medical history and records in one file will be complicated but really help you a lot. Make sure to get a refill prescription and all your medical reports like CT scan, x-ray, ultrasound or MRI reports etc. from your previous doctor. Preparing records and reports of your running problems like your allergies, diseases, meditation etc. and give it to the new doctor. 

CONCLUSION:

Switch to a new doctor if you have problems with your former doctor. You should have a valid reason to change your doctor and explain it to the former doctor before changing him. Explain your problem to the doctor briefly.  Maybe you are dissatisfied with the doctor or your doctor isn’t taking you too seriously or maybe your former doctor is facing allegations of malpractice then you should change your doctor. It’s very easy now to find a specialist doctor for your disease because many websites have details of doctors and also have their rating on it. It will help you to find a specialist doctor easily online or you may also take suggestions from a former doctor. Before going to a new doctor make sure to forward your medical insurance to confirm if your doctor accepts and works with your insurance company or not otherwise your consultation and visit will cost you expensive. Organizing your medical history and records in file form will help you to explain your medical condition as well as for the doctor also to understand your condition.