XP: WWYD - Switching OB/GYN

[aprilz81]

I thought I was posting this here, but posted it on 3T/IVF by mistake, so I'm going to cross post it here...


When I moved back to my home state I started seeing my sister's OB/GYN because she liked her doctor and I'm lazy. Six years later I'm not quite as fond of her and thinking of switching but again, I'm lazy and don't want to research doctors.

The last few visits she has gotten more "crunchy" and recommending more and more natural, chemical free living. I'm not saying this is a bad thing but her approach makes me feel like I'm being judged if I don't eat organic foods and use all natural cleaning products. Since I only see her once a year I've been rolling my eyes, getting my exam and moving on.

This year I noticed something that bothered me a little more and it might be the final straw. Please let me know if I'm crazy or if this is the new normal for medical care.

This doctor gave me my initial PCOS diagnosis last February at my last visit to her office, so it should have been at the top of my chart. Yet, when she walked into the room she had no laptop, no iPad, no chart, nothing to document my treatment and nothing that contained my medical history.

**loss mentioned**

She asked me how my year has been, and I told her it had been rough dealing with infertility and my chemical pregnancy and that I was seeing an RE. The next words out of her mouth were "so are you unexplained?" I was floored that since she was the one to make my diagnosis that she couldn't take the 3 minutes to review my history (including the updated history that I provided electronically that included the PCOS, infertility and miscarriage).

**end loss mention**

I was just floored and I feel like she isn't paying attention to her patients. I don't expect her to be able to remember my entire medical history since I only see her once a year, but I don't think it is too much to ask for her to take a few second to review my chart before entering the exam room.

I have a year before my next exam and if I do get pregnant soon I will be under the care of my RE for at least the first 8-10 weeks. I could switch to another doctor in the practice or go somewhere else completely.

What would you do?

[Deleted]

So this doctor examines your vagina, if you aren't comfortable with her why would you continue letting her get up in your business.

Stop being lazy and change your doctor.

ETA: If you stay in the practice you could potentially wind up with her as your on-call doctor. Just something else to consider.

[aprilz81]

Mar 17, 2016 21:14:54 GMT -5 ****** said:

My 2 cents.

1st you could give dr the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they're in the process of going electronic with their chart so she didn't have access to it and since it was a schedule annual exam she didn't expect any issue. Or possible ky they're already electronic and computer were being PITA so she couldn't review it?? Maybe. But. That being said, she could've prefaced her convo with a "sorry if we've covered this but...."

I was recently in a similar situation about wanting to change ob/gyn. I decided to contine with my current for my annual because I figured it's all the same, and since I'm not in the need for the OB services I have plenty time to find a new one once the need arises. If you're seeing an RE for IF, I wouldn't worry too much about the OB/gyn having any input on treatment etc.

I might discuss with my RE to verify your original diagnosis, if you haven't already. Like you said, if you get pregnant you can always change to another Dr, so I'd start researching now for a new one.

My RE confirmed the dx via ultrasound and redid the bloodwork on CD3.  

[aprilz81]

Mar 17, 2016 21:10:08 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

So this doctor examines your vagina, if you aren't comfortable with her why would you continue letting her get up in your business.

Stop being lazy and change your doctor.

ETA: If you stay in the practice you could potentially wind up with her as your on-call doctor. Just something else to consider.

This is the first time I questioned her treatment of me as a patient.  I just found it very unusual that she had no chart (digital or otherwise) to review when she walked in.  Previous appointments she has had a paper chart (first few visits) or a laptop with my records and took notes. 

I can ignore the "crunchy" aspects of her recommendations but this just struck me as really odd and unprofessional.

[ceejay]

Personally, I wouldn't be very offended if my GYN didn't remember everything about me since I only see her once a year. I figure she has tons of patients and it would be hard to keep track of everything about everybody. Sure, she could review my chart before coming into the room, but maybe she was in a hurry, or maybe the computer system was down, etc. 

That said, if you're not a fan of this OB/GYN, then find a new one. When I moved to my current area, I started at one OB/GYN and after 2 years, I decided that I didn't like her that much and wanted to switch. So I did some research and found a doctor that sounded good, and I've been seeing my 'new' OB/GYN for my last 3 annuals. I like her a lot and if I ever get pregnant, I'm glad she will be my OB. I'm glad I took the time to research and read reviews and find someone I'm happy with.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2016 21:36:59 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

Mar 17, 2016 21:14:54 GMT -5 ****** said:

My 2 cents.

1st you could give dr the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they're in the process of going electronic with their chart so she didn't have access to it and since it was a schedule annual exam she didn't expect any issue. Or possible ky they're already electronic and computer were being PITA so she couldn't review it?? Maybe. But. That being said, she could've prefaced her convo with a "sorry if we've covered this but...."

I was recently in a similar situation about wanting to change ob/gyn. I decided to contine with my current for my annual because I figured it's all the same, and since I'm not in the need for the OB services I have plenty time to find a new one once the need arises. If you're seeing an RE for IF, I wouldn't worry too much about the OB/gyn having any input on treatment etc.

I might discuss with my RE to verify your original diagnosis, if you haven't already. Like you said, if you get pregnant you can always change to another Dr, so I'd start researching now for a new one.

My RE confirmed the dx via ultrasound and redid the bloodwork on CD3.  

I would confirm that your gyn has this information on file.

[wanderingheart]

My RE gave me referrals for some OBs when I graduated because my old OB had retired. You could always ask your RE for some names.

Bottom line, if you don't like your OB (which it sounds like you don't), then switch. You don't need us to tell you to find a new doctor, it sounds like you already want to anyway.

[mikaela20]

I don't think its that odd to me. My GP doesn't always read my chart before but he reads it more in the room. If he asked me that, I would just let him know he had diagnosed me with x in 20xx and the RE confirmed the diagnosis with ABC tests. If my doctor forgets something or doesnt know something related to my health , I don't mind telling them and I just make sure it's in my chart for future reference.

But it does sound like you don't like your doctor so it's worth searching for one you like more. Do a bit of research and read patient reviews if you can.

Edited typo

[ladytiffany24]

Whether or not it was odd for the doctor to not remember your diagnosis or look at a chart, it really does sound like you're not really clicking with this doctor. For that reason alone, I'd probably look for another one.

[requiressnacks]

I'd switch if I didn't like my doctor.

[ellabee]

Mar 18, 2016 6:49:37 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'd switch if I didn't like my doctor.

+1

[notagoddess]

+1 to everyone recommending you switch, simply because you don't like her and don't feel comfortable. It's a good point that if you switch within the practice, she might be on call if you are in labor or have an urgent care appointment.

[daisy818]

To me this is analogous to this type of situation:

* Guy I think is cute tracks down my number to call me: aww, how sweet and romantical!
* Guy I do not think is cute tracks down my number to call me: ugh, creepy stalker!

If you liked this doctor, the fact that she hadn't reviewed your chart would have been no big deal. You just don't like her, and that is a completely valid reason to get a new doctor.

[easilyunamused]

My RE did not even prepare himself before our consult. He thought we had been trying for over 5 years. Lol doesn't really give you a sense of comfort. But, he has a super busy clinic, and he's know to get woman pregnant. So if I have to repeat myself sometimes that's what I'll do.

I think you just don't like her and her "crunchy" lifestyle. Find someone else and move on.

[JoBub]

Everyone else already said what I would have, but I'll add this. I also have a very cruchy doctor. I'm not so crunchy, and he's never made me feel judged or looked down upon. I love that he's super crunchy even though I'm not. He also never has a chart when he comes in to see me (the nurses do) and probably doesn't know what's in it. But I like that because then my visit is more conversational and I feel like he's listening to me and not just making judgements based on what he has seen in my chart. So I don't necessarily think your doctor did anything wrong, but if you don't click with her you definitely should find a new one before you get KU. You'll be even more sensitive to those judgy crunchy comments when you're pregnant.