Changing Docters

[jmilliman]

I used to go to a Endocrinologist in Erie, PA before I lost my health insurance. I had pretty good control over my sugars when I was seeing him, mainly I think because He was very active with my diabetes, and put me on a insulin pump (Minimed 507c to be exact).

When I lost my health insurance I started using The Family Health Center (FHC). The bad thing about FHC is you hardly ever see the same person on a regular basis. There is a new Dr. there and he is working on finishing up his Endocrinology. I don't really feel like he is really concerned about his patients.

I called today to get a referral to the Erie doctor and the Dr. at the FHC was giving me a hard time about a referral. He kept telling me there was no need for me to have to travel 80 miles to Erie, when I could see him locally, and he kept reminding me that he was a Endocrinologist.

I don't know where I'm going with this, I guess I am more irritated about being given a hard time. Was this a professional thing for the Dr. to do :confused:

[princesslinda]

Personally, I don't think it was a professional thing for him to do, but he may have just been concerned to lose a patient. Its not up to him how far you choose to travel to seen a doctor.
I work at a doctor's office and if one of our patients request that we send records to another urology office, we are made to call that patient to see if/why he was dissatisfied and fix it if we can rather than lose a patient.

You're the patient, the doctors' work for you...you should see whomever you want to see. You might want to speak to their practice manager and request that referral...maybe one of the other docs there will be more amenable to your request.

[jmilliman]

Well he did say he was going to send out the referral but was short with me in doing so.

[princesslinda]

Its always a blow to their egos when a patient "rejects" them for another doctor....glad you got your referral.

[Alice]

Well, you don't have much to lose...you can see him once again and lay your concerns on the line. If he is ignoring you...then definitely tell him that is the reason for you asking a referral. Professionals understand the reason for a referral...he should step up to the plate.