Chapter 5: How To Shop For The Best Primary Care Doctor

Caveat: If you can find one accepting new patients

My husband and I have moved seven times during our marriage. And every time, I had to find a new medical practice.

I've learned what worked, what not to do, and how to quickly recognize I've made the wrong choice. You’ve got to be willing to switch when necessary. I've had 12 primary care physicians (PCP) in those seven towns. I lost two who quit their practices — one from post-Covid burnout and the other because she grew weary of her bureaucratic overlords. I miss them both. They were excellent diagnosticians whose insights helped me.

I ran for my life from three PCPs. One kept gaslighting me, claiming my pain was in my head.

Another doctor misdiagnosed me three times in one appointment. She never physically examined me, blamed me for my pain, dismissed two other symptoms, and ordered the wrong medication. Her errors harmed me and delayed my healing.

I also ran from a doctor who repeatedly dismissed some serious symptoms and used our appointment time to show me cool videos of New Year's…