My family Dr suddenly retires...3 weeks notice

[expatriot98]

I've been going to this guy for 20 years and he's a really good Doc. Really calm demeanor, good at finding cause of ailments and has a great and busy practice with several on his nursing staff and 3 office people. He's about 50 and in great health (I think), strong family guy and always really positive. I got a text from his office Friday @ 4:56 PM say he had decided to retire and close his practice. Last day to see patients is 8/20 and the office closes on 8/27. They added and email to get records past that date.

Don't Docs usually find someone to take over a successful practice and transition over? It sounds very strange.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by expatriot98

I've been going to this guy for 20 years and he's a really good Doc. Really calm demeanor, good at finding cause of ailments and has a great and busy practice with several on his nursing staff and 3 office people. He's about 50 and in great health (I think), strong family guy and always really positive. I got a text from his office Friday @ 4:56 PM say he had decided to retire and close his practice. Last day to see patients is 8/20 and the office closes on 8/27. They added and email to get records past that date.

Don't Docs usually find someone to take over a successful practice and transition over? It sounds very strange.

Mine has done that twice, 1st time was to sail around the world, turned his practice over to someone else. He got bored and opened a new practice and all was well, then he got the sailing itch again, sold the practice and took off on a few year trip to Australia, where when finished, plans selling the boat and coming home, but said that he is retired for good now.

[Crowbob]

Mine usually die.

[craigster59]

I just wish mine would take off his Super Bowl ring when he gives prostate exams....

[Crowbob]

I was still recovering in the bent over examinee position when my doctor returned, snapped on a latex glove and asked, 'Who was that?'

[dw1]

Originally Posted by expatriot98

I've been going to this guy for 20 years and he's a really good Doc. Really calm demeanor, good at finding cause of ailments and has a great and busy practice with several on his nursing staff and 3 office people. He's about 50 and in great health (I think), strong family guy and always really positive. I got a text from his office Friday @ 4:56 PM say he had decided to retire and close his practice. Last day to see patients is 8/20 and the office closes on 8/27. They added and email to get records past that date.

Don't Docs usually find someone to take over a successful practice and transition over? It sounds very strange.

I had a doc who left on short notice because of a cancer diagnosis. He had no outward signs of illness, but many cancer patients don't until chemo.

I had a dentist who also left quite quickly because of a terminal illness in the family (his wife, I think).

I also worked professionally with a doctor who left his position rather quickly because of a disagreement with his department head. His departure date also was likely influenced by the better position he obtained in a different hospital several states away.

You may never know the real reason, but lots of things can be going on that patients don't know about. In addition to the above, it could also be financial issues.

[ckelly78z]

It sounds like his financials were in good shape, and he could see what was going on with health care today, and decided to step out of the rigged rat race..imagine the stress relief he has now.

[gsxrken]

My childhood pediatrician booked a hotel room and did himself in. A few weeks before, my mother thought something was off with him and had just switched to another doc.
She was obviously correct.

[cabmandone]

My doc retired a few years ago. Now I just see a nurse practitioner. I don't mind so much since I'm now at the age where a certain exam is supposed to be performed and my doc had fingers the size of quarter rolls. The nice petite nurse practitioner has skinny fingers. And she's not bad looking either. I wonder what she'd say if when the exam is over I say "my turn"?

[Sooner or later]

The medical community has been in a pressure cooker for over a year. A lot of the ones that are financially secure are sure to be thinking of moving on.

[1990C4S]

I'm just gonna throw this out there: In my experience doctors are some of the most entitled A-holes I have ever dealt with. I've had one good one, who retired at 85, and series of inconsiderate jerks with a God complex and no respect for my time.

I hope you're able to find a suitable replacement.

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I wonder what she'd say if when the exam is over I say "my turn"?

Well, if I'm disgusted just reading it ...

_

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by expatriot98

I've been going to this guy for 20 years and he's a really good Doc. Really calm demeanor, good at finding cause of ailments and has a great and busy practice with several on his nursing staff and 3 office people. He's about 50 and in great health (I think), strong family guy and always really positive. I got a text from his office Friday @ 4:56 PM say he had decided to retire and close his practice. Last day to see patients is 8/20 and the office closes on 8/27. They added and email to get records past that date.

Don't Docs usually find someone to take over a successful practice and transition over? It sounds very strange.

In a private practice, something that is becoming less and less common, I'd say it's a 50/50 that they find someone to take over the practice. Too much liability for many to want to step into a private practice. Most docs around here are tied to the local hospital. When they leave, the hospital bring in another doc. But the offices are relying more and more on nurse practitioners.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Norm K

Well, if I'm disgusted just reading it ...

_

Last time a doc gave me an "exam" I told him "hey! ya owe me a steak dinner". I think they enjoy giving the exam as much as many enjoy receiving it.

[GH85Carrera]

When I got married almost 30 years ago and moved to this part of town, I found a new doctor. He was great, but after 20 years he decided to become a missionary and go to South America and play doctor for free.

So he recommended a new doctor for me. He was great, even an air cooled 911 owner. He got a job offer from the local owners of a multi billion dollar business to be the corporate doctor and run their health department, and now he gets a steady paycheck, and no more long hours.

So I had to find another internist. He was pretty good, but he had a falling out with the partners, and he left that practice.

I have several doctor friends and I asked all of them for a recommendation for a new internist and two of them recommended the same guy. With their referral he accepted me as a new patient, and I made an appointment to go see him in late October.

I just need a doctor for the one per year physical to keep my insurance carrier happy. I prefer a internist, and not a "family practice" so someone that does not have to be a pediatrician.

Like most others on the board, I hate having to break in a new doctor.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by cabmando

My doc retired a few years ago. Now I just see a nurse practitioner. I don't mind so much since I'm now at the age where a certain exam is supposed to be performed and my doc had fingers the size of quarter rolls. The nice petite nurse practitioner has skinny fingers. And she's not bad looking either. I wonder what she'd say if when the exam is over I say "my turn"?

My Dr said 'Try to not get an erection Dave',
I said 'My name's Jeff',
He said 'I know, I'm Dave'...

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by 1990c4s

my dr said 'try to not get an erection dave',
i said 'my name's jeff',
he said 'i know, i'm dave'...

😱😱😱

[berettafan]

My son's pediatrician up and disappeared. Literally just stopped showing up and nobody knew where he went.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I'm just gonna throw this out there: In my experience doctors are some of the most entitled A-holes I have ever dealt with. I've had one good one, who retired at 85, and series of inconsiderate jerks with a God complex and no respect for my time.

I hope you're able to find a suitable replacement.

They aren't all that way for sure. My neighbor is a doc and is very careful and thoughtful about his job. Ask him even the simplest of medical questions and you'll see the wheels turning as he assesses your situation as it relates. I'm not qualified to judge a docs skills but to me he appears a credit to the profession.

[mattdavis11]

No PCP, the cardiologist calls the shots. If the pump isn't working right, nothing else matters.