[ksjade]

Growing up I was blessed with an amazing Doctor who knew exactly who I was everytime I saw him. When I had to get a new doctor almost 10 years ago, I just chose someone who was accepting new patients and until recently, who I only saw once every couple years so it didn't phase me that he didn't remember me. I recently started a new antidepressant and have seen him 3 times since December. One appointment he called me the wrong name and every appointment I answer the same questions... such as whether or not I work. After my last appointment, I left really frustrated and honestly, am ready to find a new doctor but I'm not sure if I just lucked out with my childhood doctor or if this guy just has way too many patients to have any clue who we are or even bother reading our file before entering the room.

Do you have a Doctor who seems to have some clue who you are or is this impossible to find now days?

[random_emotion]

Hello ksjade,

First off I would like to welcome you to psych central. Maybe I am lucky but both my doctors remember me but I do have a service dog and I think that may make me stand out a little more because of my cute sidekick but I could be wrong. I would find it important that my doctor remembers or at least reads my chart before I they walk in the room. So if I were you I would probably give him one or two more chances but if it doesn't improve I would look for a different doctor

I have had a bad run lately on doctors. It happens cause the old ones are retiring medicine and teaching it now to the students. You end up with a medical student in lieu of a medical doctor who works under a doctor. there is such a shortage you have students that are still learning and many are incompetent. especially with older people that now most people over 50 don't go to drs. cause they find them useless. we all miss the old dr but we all get old! i wish you well on this one, tc

[88Butterfly88]

Welcome to PsychCentral! Your doctor should really have this information in your chart by now. Charting is important. Sounds very disorganized. I'd find a new doctor.

[otherg]

These days it's tough finding any kind of healthcare provider that you can continue to see. Some retire or decide to practice on a part time basis. Others choose to return to their childhood communities after starting their own families. And then there's the doctors that are just there to complete their residency and move on to another practice or start out on their own. However, I do expect them to address me by the correct name and review my chart before they see me.

[pegasus]

You deserve a doctor that can at least get your name right. Is there a different doctor in the practice that you can see?

[PumpkinPieHead]

Time to switch. I have a great doctor, you deserve the same.

Originally Posted by ksjade

Growing up I was blessed with an amazing Doctor who knew exactly who I was everytime I saw him. When I had to get a new doctor almost 10 years ago, I just chose someone who was accepting new patients and until recently, who I only saw once every couple years so it didn't phase me that he didn't remember me. I recently started a new antidepressant and have seen him 3 times since December. One appointment he called me the wrong name and every appointment I answer the same questions... such as whether or not I work. After my last appointment, I left really frustrated and honestly, am ready to find a new doctor but I'm not sure if I just lucked out with my childhood doctor or if this guy just has way too many patients to have any clue who we are or even bother reading our file before entering the room.

Do you have a Doctor who seems to have some clue who you are or is this impossible to find now days?

I'm transitioning this week. I have my final appt with my Ph.D. Psychologist therapist tomorrow (25th) and see my new M.D Psychiatrist therapist on Thursday, the 28th.

For almost 10 years I had a psychiatrist who (sincerely or not) seemed to have a genuine interest in me and my mental health. He not only remembered who I was dating, but knew my dog's names. If he wasn't sincere then he did a darned good job of acting. We laughed and cried together. He was not much older than me but he never took notes, he just seemed to have a great memory.

I think that I lucked out with him. I chose him because his office was minutes away from my home.

I was much like you, I guess, in selecting my new therapist. I needed to see someone fast so I called the largest group in my city and got an appt with the first therapist available. I've noted here the times that he's fallen asleep on me. I don't really think that he's sure of my diagnoses. And he's like your doc... always forgetting things and asking the same questions.

Two previous M.D. Psych's that I saw were pay-for-an-hour, get 10 minutes, here's a new prescription docs.

This has been within the past 4 years.

I've noticed a huge change in therapists/shrinks from 2005 to the present. Really, from 2005 through 2012, but it's gotten worse. The shrinks don't want to be therapists any longer and the therapists don't want to be therapists unless you respond to CBT. I know that the nurse practitioner who prescribes my meds never reads my file because my therapist doesn't take notes.

While I absolutely think that you need to cut your current doc free, if it's possible I would interview a few docs before doing so. That was once the norm in selecting a new pdoc. Most of them even had "first session free" deals so that you could try to get a feeling if you were right for one another.

It's weird to me when I hear a mental health pro say, "well, I've been doing this for 3 (or even 10) years, so I know what I'm talking about." I want to keep slamming back (as I have) and say, "well, I've been doing this 31 years and I've a bit of a clue as well."

See if you can do the interview thing. I made a great deal with my GP (the only doc that I actually trust) in that he agreed to write scripts for my meds so that there would be no withdrawal while I searched for a new pdoc. I found this new doc in a week although I didn't get a chance to interview her. I know that she's been in practice as long as I've been in therapy and I know that she treats patients with chronic physical issues.

Good luck. I feel as if I know exactly what you feel. Pdocs/therapists don't seem to care if you trust them any longer. I'm not certain if they could explain what they hope to achieve these days.

[Nammu]

I too had a childhood md who knew me...my entire family. Even the rare times I saw him after I moved on to the university he knew who I was. Since then I've had various docs, some were better than others but if you've seen the same doc that many times recently and he still doesn't remember I'd seek out a new one. Maybe let the office know why you're move ing on so he has the opportunity to improve in that area for others.

I once has a pdoc who never looked up from the paperwork on his desk....I told him to "look at me..over here". After that he did look at me, I doubt he ever forgot.

[SilverNeurotic]

The PA that works for my regular doctor freaked out when I came in with a swollen lymph nodes...sent me for tons of tests and a biopsy (surgery!) Turns out all it took for a diagnosis was a blood test. I was/am upset as I ended up paying close to$600 out of pocket for no reason.

I like my doctor, but after that I'm very uncomfortable with returning.

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