(Part 1:  Leaving Your Current Doctor)

There are many reasons patients change doctors. A closing practice, a move, a change in insurance contracts or sometimes just having that feeling that it’s time to find a new doctor who will partner more effectively. No matter what your reason, there are ways to make the transition easier.

Last column we reviewed the best approach to leaving a doctor’s practice. It included one last appointment to discuss your current health status, getting copies of your records, and providing feedback to the doctor you’re leaving.

Having left your previous doctor, it’s time to establish a good relationship with your new doctor. Assuming you’ve done your homework and identified the best doctor for your needs,　you're ready to plan for your first appointment.

If possible, arrange this first meeting before you really need care. An emergency is no time to get to know a doctor you hope to establish a relationship with. It’s better to have time to review your current status – the information you’ve just gotten from your former doctor – and bring your new doctor into the relationship while things are on a more even keel.

Before you go, write down questions you have. List all the drugs and supplements you currently take including amounts and frequency. Record past medical problems and dates that may not already be included in your current records. Add to them any appropriate family history. Then take all this information, along with your current records, to your appointment.

Your doctor may or may not want to review your current records. If you have a well-documented, chronic problem that has so far been successfully treated, then she may find your records are useful. But if you have had trouble with your treatment, or you are unsure your diagnosis is accurate, then it might be better for her to begin with a clean slate. That may require rerunning tests or using other diagnostic tools to hone in on what your medical problem really is.

Finally, don’t spend much time explaining why you left your previous doctor. Your interest is in moving forward, not dwelling on the past.

This approach will help you develop a true partnership with your new doctor. Continued collaboration and compliance with the decisions you make together will help cement the relationship. When done right, as long as circumstances allow, you may not have to change doctors again.

For more comprehensive information on changing doctors or complaining to doctors, find articles at the About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment.

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Trisha Torrey is Every Patient’s Advocate^TM.
She offers no medical advice, but empowers those who
want to learn more about diagnosis and treatment options by
providing useful tools and resources.