In 1999 I finally found a doctor that I got along with. I saw him when I was sick once, then followed up with a physical after I recovered, and knew who to call after that. In 2001 I always seemed to get my appointments with his office partner, and then I learned he was no longer with the practice. I later learned he lost his license in 2002.

Earlier this year I went looking for a doctor and narrowed down my choices online as best I could. I got an appointment with an office that looked good and ended up getting along with the doctor well. We agreed on some points of treatment philosophy that are, or at least were, slightly against the mainstream and she liked frequent contact. I was looking forward to seeing her in three weeks. I just got a call to reschedule with someone else because my doctor has decided to change careers prior to my scheduled appointment.

Luckily this was just a pretty general followup and I have no major issues that we were working on, but I'll have to see if I get along with the CNP/APN they booked me with. Guess I'll plan on asking for the followup blood work the doctor and I were planning on, and more refills for my testing supplies, so I'll have some time to find another doctor if it doesn't work out.

Does the thought of examining me drive them all out of the career entirely? If it happens again I'll need a psychiatrist — and no one will be surprised when he quits after talking to me.