Developing a Good Doctor-Patient Relationship

How to Change Doctors

• Make sure that the new doctor you've selected will accept you as a patient and is covered by your insurance plan.
• Inform your current doctor of your decision to switch. You might ask if he'd be interested in knowing the reasons for your dissatisfaction, suggests Barry Egener, M.D., medical director of the Northwest Center for Physician-Patient Communication, in Lake Oswego, Oregon. This gives him a chance to learn from his mistakes as well as an out if he'd rather avoid a confrontation. You may prefer to write a letter instead of calling or meeting with him.
• Ask your current physician's office to forward all of your records to your new doctor. It's important to provide access to your complete medical history, including test results, any problems with the pregnancy, and any medications you may be taking.

Copyright © Michele Pullia Turk 1999. Reprinted with permission from the March 1999 issue of Parents magazine.

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.