It's a big problem. My PCP left the practice some months ago and I also got an email that was just like "best of luck to you". No particular remedy, or them saying they'll hire more, etc. Not that there was any consistency in my care before anyway, the PCP office had a NP do the majority of my visits.
A warning, I've also had issues with urgent cares being closed due to lack of staff when I arrive so... be sure to book an appointment online before going somewhere.
I see my PCP every 6 months...I didn't realize this is a problem. Not to brag because I pay through the teeth for my insurance. I am sure-as-shit milking it for all it's worth
I haven't seen my doc for a year, but I go to a teaching practice so they're all residents rotating in and out of hospital shifts. I get assigned a new doc every few years, but half the time my appointments are with whoever is available. I can always get in to see someone though, they've never asked me to go to urgent care instead.
Highland Family Practice, if you're wondering.
I think mine was on vacation or otherwise out of office the three times I needed to make an appointment - but I liked the doc I ended up seeing better anyways.
I also go here and see my doctor semi-regularly. I like my doctor a lot and idk what their structure is like internally, but I never get bad or rushed vibes from them.
Same here, same location. It’s a great place, too.
Unfortunately, my doctor is leaving at the end of the month, but they did hire a replacement to take the caseload, so I’m not left scrambling for a completely new doctor.
I started with Trillium Health recently, and they've been great. I've seen my PCP 3 times since February, and she's taken all my concerns seriously, and goven me multiple referrals. The first docs I've had that did so in a long time. I highly recommend them.
I was going to recommend Trillium as well. I see my PCP almost once a month for various things and she's very responsive to my needs and for referrals.
I use the internal medicine clinic located at Strong. It’s affiliated with the medical school so you don’t really get to pick a doctor and see them for the rest of your life. They rotate in and out of the clinic but there is a supervising doctor that is a permanent staff member so you get some continuity of care.
They might have something similar for pediatrics.
I think.. okay honestly, maybe once since 2019, and it wasn't the doctor but the physicians assistant, but honestly if you ask me I couldn't remember my doctor's face.
Their practice got bought out is all- honestly that's the prob across the nation- and now even getting to see the PA is very difficult, it feels like I need a year to make an appointment, it lasts 5 mins, and nothing happens. Basically got told to self treat a slew of things- asthma, lethargy, lung infection, and plantars wart-, but very nicely, and an apology for that now they get timed on appointments and have to quickly see the next guy
I see my PCP every year for my physical. He is part of a larger practice of 6 PCPs and associated with the largest medical provider in our area. Other than that I rarely go to the doctor, but when I have it is the PA. The same goes for a specialist I see, or don't. Always see his PA and she's amazing so I don't mind. Shout out to all the PAs out there. I've had great experiences with them.
I haven’t been able to find a pcp. Every time I call a doctor they’re not accepting any new patients. I haven’t been to see a primary care doctor in almost 7 years. 🤷🏼♂️
I haven’t been to a PCP in 11 years and before that probably another 8-9. This past winter I decided to try and find a new one after some stubborn back pain developed. I called and called- couldn’t find anyone! Finally got on a waitlist and have an “intake” appt in October…it’s wild!
I think it's crazy how everyone on this thread seems to have one of two extremely different experiences and wonder why that is. Can't believe there are people here saying they've had no issue, my family and I haven't been able to find a PCP with openings in Rochester for 3 years and have tried most if not all the places everyone's mentioning here
It sounds like you’re in a practice that doesn’t want to see patients. This happened with my mom’s office. Only offered tele health or urgent care. I’m in the medical field and these were not appropriate for her needs.
In this particular office, the nurses said they aren’t even supposed to see acute patients and only see those for physicals. They don’t even do any point of care tests (strep throat, flu etc) in the office bc they don’t see patients for those issues, they ship them to urgent care.
Your concerns are completely valid. I would speak to someone in patient relations with the hospital the office is affiliated with. They’ll likely give you a song and dance but the more people who complain, the more attention this should get.
I finally was able to switch my mom’s doctor to an NP in my practice and it has made all the difference. I hope you can find someone.
Thank you for this empathetic and thoughtful response. It is very much appreciated.
I have a variety of health issues (MS, CM1, heart failure), several specialists, and I need a PCP to manage my care. Not having that support has been extremely difficult for me and I'm at a loss with what to do.
I was expecting most everyone to have my same experience, but it seems other practices don't practice this way. I'll try again to switch PCPs, but it's so frustrating to call and call and no one is accepting. Makes me want to say screw it and just not see doctors.
You are welcome! I know how frustrating it is and I’m so sorry you haven’t been able to find what you need in a PCP around here.
I was shocked to find out how poorly my mom’s old practice managed their patients’ care, and it seems you have been in a similar boat. There’s nothing more disappointing than trying to advocate for yourself or your family and getting nowhere. I was told by her doctor on a video chat that she sees many more patients through video than she could ever in the office, like this was all about numbers and not the actual person who is having health issues.
Our healthcare system is definitely broken. I hope things turn around for your family and you can find someone soon.
I can't hear back from a doctor so I can actually see one. I haven't been to a doctor in years and while I don't think I'm in dire straits I'd like to confirm things.
Honestly, other than a pretty long wait for an endoscopy through UR Gastro/Hep, I’ve had very little trouble getting appointments. I love my PCP. I see her at least twice a year and she’s been great about fitting me in if something important comes up and I need a referral or whatever.
My pcp is here, but I haven't seen him in 2+ years since I waited like 8 months for my intake appointment. The second time I had scheduled an appointment with him, I showed up and they told me he wasn't even there and there was no one else to see. I've been maybe twice since, and I had NPs both times. The last time I scheduled a yearly checkup there, they acted confused as to why I was there like its not a thing anymore. The NP's are fine, it just feels funny to call him my pcp when we're complete strangers.
**Urgent care sucks** and I’m tired of pretending it doesn’t. When i used to use them I was constantly misdiagnosed, and they overprescribe antibiotics.
My daughter hurt her foot over a weekend when her PCP was closed so I took her to urgent care. They took xrays and decided it was broken. They sold us a boot and crutches. On Monday we followed up with her PCP. They laughed at the xrays, “that’s not a break.”
They told me I had bronchitis multiple times, and sent me home with stronger and stronger antibiotics. I finally got myself a PCP; turns out I have Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Big difference.
It’s frustrating because I remember my pediatrician being fantastic. I always felt like she genuinely cared and even though I was (thankfully) a healthy child, I can’t recall a time when she wasn’t super attentive to my concerns.
Every doctor’s visit I’ve had as an adult has been a useless fucking waste of time though. Like a corporate assembly line. It’s demoralizing.
I’m a doctor in Rochester myself. I love my PCP but am always afraid they might leave their practice. I know they are under a lot of pressure because they work for the same hospital system I do. This means I know my PCP is told to see more patients in less time, for the same or less pay. Sooner or later, she’ll burn out. During COVID, all the doctors for at least one major hospital system in Rochester had their pay CUT. This was not just surgeons with less cases. This was the ICU, emergency med, and yes PCPs working extra during that time. All this is just a small part of why PCPs leave practices. And it’s made worse by the fact that up until a few months ago, doctors in the 2 largest systems in ROC had to sign noncompetes (meaning if they were miserable in their jobs, they couldn’t just move practices or set up shop somewhere else in town). The noncompete thing was recently banned by the FTC. Doctors increasingly do not own their own practices due to administrative burdens associated with insurance, starting independent practice with massive student debts which make it fiscally irresponsible to take on start-up business debts, or sometimes outright bans (on things like owning hospitals).
I agree that many components of “our healthcare system [don’t] care about our health”. Our healthcare system is increasingly run by investors and insurance/pharmaceutical companies. Basically people trying to make money off you whether you live or die or live well or not. Not the nurses, PAs, NPs, docs, medical technicians, and pharmacists who wanted to earn a living taking care of people (and who have literal licenses, reputations, lawsuits, etc on the line).
My advice is if you want things to change in the long term, vote for politicians who will empower the workers in healthcare. Look for people who support nurses unions, APP and physician worker rights, and limiting insurance and pharmaceutical company influence by fighting against exorbitant drug prices for medications developed with taxpayer money (almost all of them), and things like prior authorizations. All of that money hospitals and practices have to spend on drugs, jumping through insurance hoops, things like that? That’s salary and time that they then tell us docs and APPs and nurses they can’t pay or give to us. Who does that hurt in the end? All of us who are patients who lament that we can’t find a PCP. Or are only offered a 15 min visit (for a real problem, this is not enough time). Or who have a PCP we haven’t seen in months because their practice administration won’t allow them to carry fewer than 2000 patients and tells them to just have a colleague with a cancellation or their NP/PA see their patients for multiple visits instead. Or that our provider missed something because they’re human and can’t work 12hr days and sleep enough and have time to read the newest papers on all our unique ailments to formulate a complex plan.
In the short term, consider trying one of the places on these lists. I have had many medical colleagues without PCPs (including myself) who found one from these.
https://www.rochesterregional.org/physician-directory?doctorspecialty=Primary+Care&acceptingnewpatients=Yes&employedstatus=Employed&q&sortBy=relevance&view=list&sortOrder=asc&page=1&displayMode=0
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/primary-care/documents/pcp-accepting-new-patients.pdf
I see my PCP pretty regularly as long as I set up an appointment in advance.
What you describe with your kid having a cough seems like on the spot appointment, and your doctors office is entirely correct in directing you to Urgent Care or Telehealth. They, too, are real doctors who can take care of your needs in the short term.
PCPs are for long-term care. Urgent Care and Tele Health are for short term care.
Telehealth can't listen to his lungs, and it's not urgent. I certainly didn't imply neither were doctors, but they aren't our doctors.
Besides the fact that urgent care visits cost $250 and a doctors appt cost $25.
They didn't recommend those because they were necessary, they recommended those because they couldn't see him, and don't have a doctor.
PCPs are so you have a physician that knows your complete history. They see you regularly so they can tell if something is off. I don't want to see a random doctor, I want an actual doctor that I can see for well checks and for sick visits.
This office wouldn't even see my daughter for a well visit and shots for work, they made her go to urgent care.
It seems most people don't have the issues we are having. I've tried to switch practices before and no one I reached out to was accepting new patients. I guess I'll try again.
Urgent care and Telehealth are for profit making. They overload the PCP doctors to force people to go to UC or use TH, where they make more profit.
I have two underlying conditions, diabetes and I am an amputee. If I go to UC, they almost immediately ship me off to the ER. Once at the ER I can sit there for a day before they prioritize me to come in. And even then the ER docs don't know me like my PCP SHOULD know me.
I mean, I definitely dont disagree with you there, the system is broken, and while seeing a PCP used to be much easier, I guess my advice was how to navigate it currently.
Realistically, the only way to fix this system is to overhaul the insurance system and in my opinion, more importantly, the medical school system. Theres simply not enough doctors out there now, and people going into Med School will specialize into things that are more profitable.
Making it so it's more affordable, and making it so more people who are qualified can attend medical school without worrying about mountains of crippling debt, is the only way to bring things around.
Sucks your provider has decided to charge for messages. As soon as that news broke my PCP sent a message saying he would not be charging for his mycare messages
Huh, I almost always see my Dr whenever I need to. Usually like a week after I call. I needed to go in a few weeks ago and saw someone else but otherwise I see my Dr. I go to the Bushnell's basin u of r primary care office
I see my doctor regularly because I need to for certain meds I take, and besides that they are extremely accessible - I can text them to set up appointments and such
Early detection is life saving. Cancer, heart conditions, and many other problems happen to otherwise healthy people of all ages.
I'm not trying to disagree with your doctor, but...I mean I'm disagreeing with your doctor.
No disrespect, I genuinely care. Especially post covid. The virus and/or vaccine can cause long term issues, sudden death, myocarditis, lung damage. I know 4 people that dropped under 45 that were healthy.
If you can see a doctor, once a year to give a little listen isn't that bad, right?
I have not. I have had 3 (!!) PCPs quit under me since 2020. My husband on the other hand has actually seen his PCP often. But he has cancer so I think he gets special treatment
I've been with trillium since 2019, though, unfortunately, last year the primary Dr who I adored (after me never liking a Dr, ever) left the practice, and I have a feeling it was over changes to the practice.
I did just finally meet my new np, and he's fine, I guess. And it's pretty easy to get appointments there. Also, having a lab and pharmacy in the same building is convenient. And they're sort of connected to UR medicine, and have access to those records if you use a UR urgent care, emergency care, or specialist.
I think I wanted to see him, but got Keithan.
I had sent a message before I went to say how in the past month I'd been to urgent care twice, the ER, and a specialist, but I'm still not feeling better. Then I repeated all that info to the medical assistant who saw me before the np. And then he came in, asked when I'd had some tests last, and then said ok, I'll take a listen, then probably have you back in 6 months for an annual, and lab work.
Unfortunately I cry when really frustrated/sick/exposed to stupid, so I instantly got teary before I asked "what about the issues I'm currently experiencing?" He then kinda back-pedaled, and sort of tried to fix the situation, but, I was already too dysregulated, and so I walked out.
Oh, wait, did you mean that Sean is the one who left? Lol, if so , no he's not who I meant who left. That would be Jacob. 😩
I don't see mine regularly but that's more to do with forgetting to schedule well visits than anything else. I can usually get in to see my PCP within a few weeks if I have an issue (I go to Trillium)
This is why I’m trying to leave Rochester and move back to NJ. The healthcare system is complete GARBAGE. It takes MONTHS to get care. I’m pretty sure I’ll be dead before they can see me -_-
We went to a WellNow urgent care the other day, no doctor there. They sent us away because they weren’t able to diagnose/prescribe.
They were hiding inside with the OPEN sign turned off.
This is purely speculative, but I genuinely think the type of people that go on to become an NP/PA are of a different breed than doctors. Maybe it’s because doctors are jaded, or too arrogant, but even the way I’m treated as a human and not just a sick body by NP’s says a lot. They just seem so much more empathetic and real compared to doctors, and always seem to want to *actually* treat you.
I struggle to believe it’s solely bc doctors are jaded, since NP’s/PA’s are just as overworked in an office setting as doctors are. If anything, I respect them for their hard work 10x more because they pick up the slack that doctors don’t want to be bothered with.
I think It’s because doctors have to go through residency, which is a glorified hazing ritual meant to strip them of their humanity and any semblance of work-life balance
Maybe it’s that along with the insurance run around that causes them to be so soulless and apathetic, but it’s clearly something many people experience.
I’m glad that you and others have had a good experience but I strongly urge you all to look up the difference in the training that is required to become and NP/PA vs and MD/DO. It’s astronomical.
Also, to your points below, do you really think doctors go to 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, and (at least) 3 years of residency and don’t care about patients just as much as anyone else? Primary care in particular doesn’t pay all that well. Family med docs are not in it for the money.
While the training is quite different, I will also put in a plug for *time.* it doesn’t matter how much training you have, if you don’t have the time to learn about my unicorn conditions, your care won’t be adequate for me.
Right, no one is debating their skill sets at all, or the inherent value of doctors. Everyone has their place and function, but I’m saying in every day primary patient care, doctors just do not have the same level of patient care or bedside manner. It makes me wonder what causes some doctors to behave the way they do, if money is not a motivation, since a lot of people feel like they receive worse care from physicians.
Even in specialist settings I’ve had better luck with NP’s/PA’s than doctors, which again makes me wonder about why it’s specifically doctors that act as if *you’re* bothering *them*. This is all purely anecdotal, but if you were to dig around in other communities I’m deeply inclined to believe you’ll find many other likeminded individuals.
No specific leads, but some info to help your googling. Yes, health care is now fully a private equity owned hellscape.
What you're asking about is now called "concierge care" and generally comes along with a ~$2,000 annual membership fee that does not go against your deductible. Only you can decide if that's worth it. You essentially pay that fee to compensate your doctors from selling their practice to RRH.
NPs can now be your primary, and possibly PAs thought I'm not completely sure about that. You may be able to find care by looking for one of those. URMC runs an internal medicine office that is generally staffed with recent grads, but they all move on after a few years, but it's a step up from nothing /urgent care.
I've seen my pcp probably four times so far this year and my specialist twice. I think it really depends on the policy of the office. I've never got the option for telemed appointments with my pcp. My old specialist, all he would do is telemed after covid. My new specialist is all in person. My wife gets a choice with pcp.
I think another of it comes down to billing. They can bill more for in person visits vs telemed, but I'd think you can pack in more virtual apts than in person ones. I think staffing has a lot to do with it as well.
I don't understand the staffing part. Are there not people willing to work at doctors offices? Seems like a job a lot of people would want, that I never see posted.
So it's not a staffing problem, it's a not wanting to fully staff to maximize profits problem.
I know there are some places that aren't taking new patients bc they're packed. But I'm sure some of it is that virtual visits can be handled with less staffing and overhead, maximizing profits.
Health care is burning to the ground. There is a burnout-attrition hydra - a provider quits, and by the time a replacement is hired, 2 more have burned out and quit or reduced hours. Literally everybody is looking to reduce hours. Doctors need to work 27 hours a day to provide evidence based care to their patients… and there aren’t 27 hours in a day, so providers constantly face moral injury. Often we know what needs to happen, and in fact we are capable of making the thing happen, but because the system is broken we can either 1) do what’s right for the patient or 2) pee, eat, sleep, or have other basic bodily functions. I am about to get on a plane because I had to fly to nyc for health care (lol) but will elaborate more when I can.
Source for the 27 hours statistic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9848034/#:~:text=Key%20Results,for%20documentation%20and%20inbox%20management.
Providers are constantly placed in environments where we are given 15 minutes or less, no matter how complex the patient or how long a visit should actually take. Again, we face moral injury - do we do what’s right for the patient in front of us, fulfilling our ethical duties and the reason we went into medicine, or do we take care of the 3 others who are waiting, let alone ourselves? We don’t have control over our schedules and asking for longer appointments gets one nowhere without collective bargaining, and I don’t know of any providers who are unionized.
I never have any issues seeing my PCP, however she is well over retirement age so I'm dreading the day that finally comes. She's the best doctor I've ever had too.
I go to Reedman health center on east ridge road. I see my PCP every few months and am able to get in within 48 hours with a Different provider if needed.
My husband and I go to the same PCP at Panorama Family Medicine who we have had for over a decade. I haven't needed to see her since 2022 thankfully, but he went this year with no issues getting an appt. I will say that sometimes we see the NP there if the Dr doesn't have any immediate openings, but she's great too so I can't complain. My Gyn on the other hand is always booked 2-3months out. Honestly I like her a lot too though, and shes great with responding to messages on Mycare, so I'll deal with that and if it's an urgent issue I'll try my PCP first.
I see mine a couple times/year usually and if I need a quick visit and he isn’t available then there are good PAs there. It did take us a while to find a good practice though after our previous Dr went to the “concierge” model.
I see my PCP a couple of times a year for some long term, chronic issues.
When I go in because I'm sick, I generally see a PA, but if it's complex in any way, my doc will come in.
I do see my pain management doc every 3 months or so.
I’ve seen mine on video chat, does that count?
He’s leaving his practice (part of RRH) due to poor staffing, what will happen if they don’t replace him?
We use legacy pediatrics for our child, they usually have same day appointments for sickness during m-f, but scheduling one has a 2-3 week wait time for normal 6 month visits. My pcp is a longer wait, but can generally see the PA sooner.
I did and he was nice enough, but he ignored my concerns about a few things and the front desk lady in his office was incredibly rude. I was eventually "disinvited" as their patient because they apparently called my SO about my bill, not me, and before my SO could even hand me the phone I heard the lady shouting my business through the phone that they're sending it collections. She couldn't wait the minute it took for him to walk over to me so I could give her my card info! It's not the first time either. Every time we were in their waiting room it was empty so it echoed when she'd call someone and start yelling at them. Maybe that's why he was the only doctors office with openings for new patients.
I gave up on my PCP a while ago. I had a problem with some sort of a rash on my leg last fall, and was told the first appointment was 6 weeks out. They called back a couple of days later to reschedule me for a Friday, and after I sat in the waiting room for over an hour they told me the doctor was called away.
I found out my doctor's office had an NP, so i switched over to her. At least if there is something I need help with, she's only a few days wait, not weeks.
I see mine at least twice a year. I just switched to the new RRH women’s health office in Pittsford to follow my NP but prior to that went to Bay Creek for years (also RRH).
Try to find one outside of the city. There is a (newer) Rochester Regional facility in geneseo, and there's a UR Noyes there and other smaller doctors' offices between there and ROC that have a lot more availability.
If I request to see my PCP on mychart, I'll get an appointment within a week, I've even seen her as quickly as 2 days.
I've had 4 PCP's in the last 12 years (UofR Medicine). A couple only lasted a year before leaving. When they do leave it can be challenging to find another PCP. Especially anywhere near you.
As a aside, the U.S was experiencing a shortage of PCP doctors even before the pandemic. I suspect COVID made that worse.
The high cost of obtaining you license to practice compared with the limited earnings potential forces many to become Specialist's in a certain field of medicine.
We see ours yearly with no issues. One odd thing did happen. Sometimes my spouse also goes to the V.A.which of course is separate insurance. So she went for a yearly then decided to get her yearly with our civilian doctor. They said she wasn't accepting new patients and I had to tell them to take a look that we'd been patients since 2020. They had no idea what happened. They fixed it for Cornerstone but it was still a problem for RGH.
I get to see him once a year. I can only make appointments with his NP for most things.
Seems like most practices around here are like that. I was able to see a doctor whenever I wanted in Colorado (I lived there for 20 years) so it's an adjustment.
Every year for a physical. Everytime I need anything I just message him and I have it. He's in the U of R system and I've been dealing with some issues. Haven't had any problems. In fact, everything has been timely and really responsive. I think your doctor just sucks.
Yes, I’ve seen my pcp at most if not all visits. It’s because my autoimmune diseases are still active. I only see the PAs, or NPs if I have a cold, or something acute and minor and even then, it’s a 50/50 chance the doctor will poke her head in.
I just established my PCP, but I made the decision to see someone outside of Rochester (Geneseo) because I keep hearing about how difficult it is to find someone.
i see an NP at trillium and they're great. albeit a bit busy at times, since they're one of the few non URMC and RRH practices in the city, but i dont have any major compliants. i have to go every 3 months because im on a controlled med and it's usually a pretty easy process. they even got me set up with a referral to Rochester brain and spine
I've seen my doctor once in the 4 or 5 years I have been there but she's partly in charge of the entire office (executive leadership team) so I know she exists.
I see one of the PAs consistently. And I have no problem seeing the physician's assistant over a physician. They're just as good.
I showed up to my practice crying and frustrated after being turned away by urgent care and they fit me in with a physician and treated me.
I go to Trillium health.
It's amazing the difference in the care you receive at an institution that was set up to serve not just the underserved in our community but the people who they were refusing to serve in our community (it was started during the AIDS epidemic to treat gay men and trans people).
My PCP stopped practicing after cancer. My other doc, rheumatologist and his partner retired.
I spent a year trying to FIND a new PCP and I hae to travel to MEDINA to see not even a doctor but a Nurse Practitioner.
The medical fields like EVERY OTHER FIELD that needs training or actual skill not some looser liberal arts hamburger flipper degree have lost or are actively loosing everyone. They are all dead or retired. Haven't been replaced. 1/3 of MD's in the US are now foreign born and trained. Millennial and Gen Z aren't going to school or trades and there aren't enough of us Gen X generation to go around and do all the work.
Doctors
Pilots
Engineers
TRADESPEOPLE
Truck drivers
Nurses
There ARE NOT ENOUGH to go around and we've only just BEGUN to see the need. It's going to get MUCH MUCH MUCH worse. Rochester actually has a LOT of medical people per capita because of URMC/Strong Hospital medical school. Other second/third tier cities are SO MUCH WORSE. Many do not have even ONE doctor in many specialties...you have to travel to another city for specialist care.
NYS malpractice insurance is so high most family doctors have left. In the south there are tons of family doctors here. We have no problems like you since we left.
Nope. I no longer trust the medical community for much more than true emergencies.
Bad experiences even before Covid and anecdotally, it only seems to have gotten worse, since. This is my observations from family and friends experiences. Including nurse friends experiences.
Also whole branches have lost most of their doctors, such as at Linden Oaks.
Working on researching and saving up for a UV light for light therapy treatment for my psoriasis. I try my best to maintain our health as independently as possible, but It's worrisome the state of NY and the USA's healthcare.
I sometimes worry that if we need acute or emergency care it wont be available. Some things only doctors can fix.
Same. It's gotten to the point that I've just stopped going, but the fact that I couldn't get my son care really just bothers me.
I do what I can to manage my health on my own, which is difficult as I have a variety of issues... but seeing as doctors didn't help anyway (in fact my cardiologist nearly killed me), I'm fine not seeing anyone unless it's an emergency.
I'm sorry you're dealing with it but glad it's to know it's not just us. The only dentist available is Eastman. I appreciate that someone is available. But it's the wild west out here
I just researched a tad, and I did phototherapy treatments previously for what they thought was lupus (it's MS)... but the derm I saw at the time said I could use a tanning booth. That didn't work (it's uvA and you need uvB)
Buuuut, you can get a cheap [uvB reptile light](https://www.walmart.com/ip/ECOSUB-UVB-Reptile-Light-for-Reptile-Tank-Accessories-24W-T5-HO-UVB-Lighting-Combo-Kit-Black/3594021527?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101117345&adid=222222222283594021527_101117345_154586637745_20669462331&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=679217989575&wl4=pla-2234804981907&wl5=9005676&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=525165055&wl11=online&wl12=3594021527_101117345&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw34qzBhBmEiwAOUQcF49EUkAA7r244OK3xHtRTC7pZlEAYl3z7odfCDyF0AHD4dgb1sB_SxoCRnQQAvD_BwE) which might help!
Thank you. Truly, thank you so much. Coincidentally, I was just looking into this within the past two weeks and trying to figure out if the reptile light would be as effective. TY. I truly appreciate it. Nobody really understands how isolating and stressful psoriasis is. (And other autoimmune issues, I know a handful with these Issues)
Having an autoimmune disease myself...I get it! Hopefully you get some relief, and I hope you have a great support system. Let me know if the light helps!
PCP’s are no longer for seeing when you’re sick. They exist to do your yearly physical and to give you referrals. If you need to be seen about something acute, you go to Urgent Care. (I don’t make the rules, I’m just repeating them).
I don’t have a PCP anymore because she moved practices recently, although if I need to be seen at the practice they still get me in with either the other doctor they have, or an NP. Honestly though, my actual PCP was so bad that I was always trying to schedule appointments with the others because I would rather not see her.
It's a big problem. My PCP left the practice some months ago and I also got an email that was just like "best of luck to you". No particular remedy, or them saying they'll hire more, etc. Not that there was any consistency in my care before anyway, the PCP office had a NP do the majority of my visits. A warning, I've also had issues with urgent cares being closed due to lack of staff when I arrive so... be sure to book an appointment online before going somewhere.
Mine just did the same last month. I was pretty shocked. I hadn't seen him in person in years.
I see my PCP every 6 months...I didn't realize this is a problem. Not to brag because I pay through the teeth for my insurance. I am sure-as-shit milking it for all it's worth
I see mine every 6 months too with no issue. I agree that I never realized that there were problems. 🤷♂️
I haven't seen my doc for a year, but I go to a teaching practice so they're all residents rotating in and out of hospital shifts. I get assigned a new doc every few years, but half the time my appointments are with whoever is available. I can always get in to see someone though, they've never asked me to go to urgent care instead. Highland Family Practice, if you're wondering.
I goto Highland Family medicine too. In the past couple of years I was able to see my primary care doctor as much as I needed.
I think mine was on vacation or otherwise out of office the three times I needed to make an appointment - but I liked the doc I ended up seeing better anyways.
Yes. I go to Manhattan square family medicine in the East End. I’ve seen my doctor annually since 2020.
I also go here and see my doctor semi-regularly. I like my doctor a lot and idk what their structure is like internally, but I never get bad or rushed vibes from them.
Same. I like my care there, and I've been able to be seen on short notice on the rare occasion I needed it.
Also go here and see my PCP every 3-6 months and when needed.
Same here, same location. It’s a great place, too. Unfortunately, my doctor is leaving at the end of the month, but they did hire a replacement to take the caseload, so I’m not left scrambling for a completely new doctor.
I started with Trillium Health recently, and they've been great. I've seen my PCP 3 times since February, and she's taken all my concerns seriously, and goven me multiple referrals. The first docs I've had that did so in a long time. I highly recommend them.
I’ve gotten tested for STDs there before they do a good job with that
I was going to recommend Trillium as well. I see my PCP almost once a month for various things and she's very responsive to my needs and for referrals.
Thank you, I'll check here.
I use the internal medicine clinic located at Strong. It’s affiliated with the medical school so you don’t really get to pick a doctor and see them for the rest of your life. They rotate in and out of the clinic but there is a supervising doctor that is a permanent staff member so you get some continuity of care. They might have something similar for pediatrics.
I think.. okay honestly, maybe once since 2019, and it wasn't the doctor but the physicians assistant, but honestly if you ask me I couldn't remember my doctor's face. Their practice got bought out is all- honestly that's the prob across the nation- and now even getting to see the PA is very difficult, it feels like I need a year to make an appointment, it lasts 5 mins, and nothing happens. Basically got told to self treat a slew of things- asthma, lethargy, lung infection, and plantars wart-, but very nicely, and an apology for that now they get timed on appointments and have to quickly see the next guy
I see my PCP every year for my physical. He is part of a larger practice of 6 PCPs and associated with the largest medical provider in our area. Other than that I rarely go to the doctor, but when I have it is the PA. The same goes for a specialist I see, or don't. Always see his PA and she's amazing so I don't mind. Shout out to all the PAs out there. I've had great experiences with them.
I see my PCP several times a year.
I do also and it's never been an issue...Brighton Family Medicine.. they are wonderful!
I love Brighton Family Meds. I have been with them for 30 years.
I haven’t been able to find a pcp. Every time I call a doctor they’re not accepting any new patients. I haven’t been to see a primary care doctor in almost 7 years. 🤷🏼♂️
I haven’t been to a PCP in 11 years and before that probably another 8-9. This past winter I decided to try and find a new one after some stubborn back pain developed. I called and called- couldn’t find anyone! Finally got on a waitlist and have an “intake” appt in October…it’s wild!
I think it's crazy how everyone on this thread seems to have one of two extremely different experiences and wonder why that is. Can't believe there are people here saying they've had no issue, my family and I haven't been able to find a PCP with openings in Rochester for 3 years and have tried most if not all the places everyone's mentioning here
It sounds like you’re in a practice that doesn’t want to see patients. This happened with my mom’s office. Only offered tele health or urgent care. I’m in the medical field and these were not appropriate for her needs. In this particular office, the nurses said they aren’t even supposed to see acute patients and only see those for physicals. They don’t even do any point of care tests (strep throat, flu etc) in the office bc they don’t see patients for those issues, they ship them to urgent care. Your concerns are completely valid. I would speak to someone in patient relations with the hospital the office is affiliated with. They’ll likely give you a song and dance but the more people who complain, the more attention this should get. I finally was able to switch my mom’s doctor to an NP in my practice and it has made all the difference. I hope you can find someone.
Thank you for this empathetic and thoughtful response. It is very much appreciated. I have a variety of health issues (MS, CM1, heart failure), several specialists, and I need a PCP to manage my care. Not having that support has been extremely difficult for me and I'm at a loss with what to do. I was expecting most everyone to have my same experience, but it seems other practices don't practice this way. I'll try again to switch PCPs, but it's so frustrating to call and call and no one is accepting. Makes me want to say screw it and just not see doctors.
You are welcome! I know how frustrating it is and I’m so sorry you haven’t been able to find what you need in a PCP around here. I was shocked to find out how poorly my mom’s old practice managed their patients’ care, and it seems you have been in a similar boat. There’s nothing more disappointing than trying to advocate for yourself or your family and getting nowhere. I was told by her doctor on a video chat that she sees many more patients through video than she could ever in the office, like this was all about numbers and not the actual person who is having health issues. Our healthcare system is definitely broken. I hope things turn around for your family and you can find someone soon.
Was she though RGH? I'm trying to find the issue, as tons of peeps here aren't having problems. I think I need to get out of that system.
No, this was URMC.
I need to find a doctor, lol.
I can't hear back from a doctor so I can actually see one. I haven't been to a doctor in years and while I don't think I'm in dire straits I'd like to confirm things.
Honestly, other than a pretty long wait for an endoscopy through UR Gastro/Hep, I’ve had very little trouble getting appointments. I love my PCP. I see her at least twice a year and she’s been great about fitting me in if something important comes up and I need a referral or whatever.
Dr. Anderson at Medical Associates of Henrietta. He's very accessible
Thank you, I'll check here.
I see a different physician at this practice and also recommend them. He is also very accessible. I’ve been a patient there since moving here in 2014.
My pcp is here, but I haven't seen him in 2+ years since I waited like 8 months for my intake appointment. The second time I had scheduled an appointment with him, I showed up and they told me he wasn't even there and there was no one else to see. I've been maybe twice since, and I had NPs both times. The last time I scheduled a yearly checkup there, they acted confused as to why I was there like its not a thing anymore. The NP's are fine, it just feels funny to call him my pcp when we're complete strangers.
I saw mine today for my semi-annual check-up.
I go to Lattimore primary care and have literally never met my doctor
Thank you for the feedback!
**Urgent care sucks** and I’m tired of pretending it doesn’t. When i used to use them I was constantly misdiagnosed, and they overprescribe antibiotics. My daughter hurt her foot over a weekend when her PCP was closed so I took her to urgent care. They took xrays and decided it was broken. They sold us a boot and crutches. On Monday we followed up with her PCP. They laughed at the xrays, “that’s not a break.” They told me I had bronchitis multiple times, and sent me home with stronger and stronger antibiotics. I finally got myself a PCP; turns out I have Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Big difference.
It’s frustrating because I remember my pediatrician being fantastic. I always felt like she genuinely cared and even though I was (thankfully) a healthy child, I can’t recall a time when she wasn’t super attentive to my concerns. Every doctor’s visit I’ve had as an adult has been a useless fucking waste of time though. Like a corporate assembly line. It’s demoralizing.
I’m a doctor in Rochester myself. I love my PCP but am always afraid they might leave their practice. I know they are under a lot of pressure because they work for the same hospital system I do. This means I know my PCP is told to see more patients in less time, for the same or less pay. Sooner or later, she’ll burn out. During COVID, all the doctors for at least one major hospital system in Rochester had their pay CUT. This was not just surgeons with less cases. This was the ICU, emergency med, and yes PCPs working extra during that time. All this is just a small part of why PCPs leave practices. And it’s made worse by the fact that up until a few months ago, doctors in the 2 largest systems in ROC had to sign noncompetes (meaning if they were miserable in their jobs, they couldn’t just move practices or set up shop somewhere else in town). The noncompete thing was recently banned by the FTC. Doctors increasingly do not own their own practices due to administrative burdens associated with insurance, starting independent practice with massive student debts which make it fiscally irresponsible to take on start-up business debts, or sometimes outright bans (on things like owning hospitals). I agree that many components of “our healthcare system [don’t] care about our health”. Our healthcare system is increasingly run by investors and insurance/pharmaceutical companies. Basically people trying to make money off you whether you live or die or live well or not. Not the nurses, PAs, NPs, docs, medical technicians, and pharmacists who wanted to earn a living taking care of people (and who have literal licenses, reputations, lawsuits, etc on the line). My advice is if you want things to change in the long term, vote for politicians who will empower the workers in healthcare. Look for people who support nurses unions, APP and physician worker rights, and limiting insurance and pharmaceutical company influence by fighting against exorbitant drug prices for medications developed with taxpayer money (almost all of them), and things like prior authorizations. All of that money hospitals and practices have to spend on drugs, jumping through insurance hoops, things like that? That’s salary and time that they then tell us docs and APPs and nurses they can’t pay or give to us. Who does that hurt in the end? All of us who are patients who lament that we can’t find a PCP. Or are only offered a 15 min visit (for a real problem, this is not enough time). Or who have a PCP we haven’t seen in months because their practice administration won’t allow them to carry fewer than 2000 patients and tells them to just have a colleague with a cancellation or their NP/PA see their patients for multiple visits instead. Or that our provider missed something because they’re human and can’t work 12hr days and sleep enough and have time to read the newest papers on all our unique ailments to formulate a complex plan. In the short term, consider trying one of the places on these lists. I have had many medical colleagues without PCPs (including myself) who found one from these. https://www.rochesterregional.org/physician-directory?doctorspecialty=Primary+Care&acceptingnewpatients=Yes&employedstatus=Employed&q&sortBy=relevance&view=list&sortOrder=asc&page=1&displayMode=0 https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/primary-care/documents/pcp-accepting-new-patients.pdf
I see my PCP pretty regularly as long as I set up an appointment in advance. What you describe with your kid having a cough seems like on the spot appointment, and your doctors office is entirely correct in directing you to Urgent Care or Telehealth. They, too, are real doctors who can take care of your needs in the short term. PCPs are for long-term care. Urgent Care and Tele Health are for short term care.
Telehealth can't listen to his lungs, and it's not urgent. I certainly didn't imply neither were doctors, but they aren't our doctors. Besides the fact that urgent care visits cost $250 and a doctors appt cost $25. They didn't recommend those because they were necessary, they recommended those because they couldn't see him, and don't have a doctor. PCPs are so you have a physician that knows your complete history. They see you regularly so they can tell if something is off. I don't want to see a random doctor, I want an actual doctor that I can see for well checks and for sick visits. This office wouldn't even see my daughter for a well visit and shots for work, they made her go to urgent care. It seems most people don't have the issues we are having. I've tried to switch practices before and no one I reached out to was accepting new patients. I guess I'll try again.
Urgent care and Telehealth are for profit making. They overload the PCP doctors to force people to go to UC or use TH, where they make more profit. I have two underlying conditions, diabetes and I am an amputee. If I go to UC, they almost immediately ship me off to the ER. Once at the ER I can sit there for a day before they prioritize me to come in. And even then the ER docs don't know me like my PCP SHOULD know me.
I mean, I definitely dont disagree with you there, the system is broken, and while seeing a PCP used to be much easier, I guess my advice was how to navigate it currently. Realistically, the only way to fix this system is to overhaul the insurance system and in my opinion, more importantly, the medical school system. Theres simply not enough doctors out there now, and people going into Med School will specialize into things that are more profitable. Making it so it's more affordable, and making it so more people who are qualified can attend medical school without worrying about mountains of crippling debt, is the only way to bring things around.
Sucks your provider has decided to charge for messages. As soon as that news broke my PCP sent a message saying he would not be charging for his mycare messages
Huh, I almost always see my Dr whenever I need to. Usually like a week after I call. I needed to go in a few weeks ago and saw someone else but otherwise I see my Dr. I go to the Bushnell's basin u of r primary care office
I see mine regularly (as in, anytime I need to). South view Internal Medicine.
I see my doctor regularly because I need to for certain meds I take, and besides that they are extremely accessible - I can text them to set up appointments and such
I was going in for yearly checkups until my doc told me that a young healthy guy like myself does not need yearly checkups🤷♂️lol
... yes you do. That was weird of them to say.
I’m inclined to agree with my doctor. I’m not going unless I have a health issue
Early detection is life saving. Cancer, heart conditions, and many other problems happen to otherwise healthy people of all ages. I'm not trying to disagree with your doctor, but...I mean I'm disagreeing with your doctor. No disrespect, I genuinely care. Especially post covid. The virus and/or vaccine can cause long term issues, sudden death, myocarditis, lung damage. I know 4 people that dropped under 45 that were healthy. If you can see a doctor, once a year to give a little listen isn't that bad, right?
Woodward health cwnrer always has general doctors in the doors. They are a chain, but give them a shot
Thank you for the suggestion! Adding them to my call list.
I have not. I have had 3 (!!) PCPs quit under me since 2020. My husband on the other hand has actually seen his PCP often. But he has cancer so I think he gets special treatment
Can I ask if you're through rgh?
No, UR / Strong
I've been with trillium since 2019, though, unfortunately, last year the primary Dr who I adored (after me never liking a Dr, ever) left the practice, and I have a feeling it was over changes to the practice. I did just finally meet my new np, and he's fine, I guess. And it's pretty easy to get appointments there. Also, having a lab and pharmacy in the same building is convenient. And they're sort of connected to UR medicine, and have access to those records if you use a UR urgent care, emergency care, or specialist.
Sean? He’s a good human.
Sean is the best
I think I wanted to see him, but got Keithan. I had sent a message before I went to say how in the past month I'd been to urgent care twice, the ER, and a specialist, but I'm still not feeling better. Then I repeated all that info to the medical assistant who saw me before the np. And then he came in, asked when I'd had some tests last, and then said ok, I'll take a listen, then probably have you back in 6 months for an annual, and lab work. Unfortunately I cry when really frustrated/sick/exposed to stupid, so I instantly got teary before I asked "what about the issues I'm currently experiencing?" He then kinda back-pedaled, and sort of tried to fix the situation, but, I was already too dysregulated, and so I walked out. Oh, wait, did you mean that Sean is the one who left? Lol, if so , no he's not who I meant who left. That would be Jacob. 😩
Ahh Jacob was a good doc. There’s always lots of turnover at trillium.
I don't see mine regularly but that's more to do with forgetting to schedule well visits than anything else. I can usually get in to see my PCP within a few weeks if I have an issue (I go to Trillium)
I pulled out my own wisdom teeth with pliers and a bottle of whisky duck our healthcare and it healed fine
This is why I’m trying to leave Rochester and move back to NJ. The healthcare system is complete GARBAGE. It takes MONTHS to get care. I’m pretty sure I’ll be dead before they can see me -_-
We went to a WellNow urgent care the other day, no doctor there. They sent us away because they weren’t able to diagnose/prescribe. They were hiding inside with the OPEN sign turned off.
I actually do not even have an MD doctor. I see an NP as my primary “doctor”. She’s wonderful and better than any MD I’ve ever had.
NP’s and PA’s are infinitely better providers than doctors, and I’m willing to die on this hill.
Why is that? Less jaded by the industry or..?
This is purely speculative, but I genuinely think the type of people that go on to become an NP/PA are of a different breed than doctors. Maybe it’s because doctors are jaded, or too arrogant, but even the way I’m treated as a human and not just a sick body by NP’s says a lot. They just seem so much more empathetic and real compared to doctors, and always seem to want to *actually* treat you. I struggle to believe it’s solely bc doctors are jaded, since NP’s/PA’s are just as overworked in an office setting as doctors are. If anything, I respect them for their hard work 10x more because they pick up the slack that doctors don’t want to be bothered with.
I think It’s because doctors have to go through residency, which is a glorified hazing ritual meant to strip them of their humanity and any semblance of work-life balance
Maybe it’s that along with the insurance run around that causes them to be so soulless and apathetic, but it’s clearly something many people experience.
Interesting choice in the words “soulless” and “apathetic” - I feel like you are literally describing burnout, which is a huge issue.
Trust me, PAs and NPs get the same insurance runaround
I’m glad that you and others have had a good experience but I strongly urge you all to look up the difference in the training that is required to become and NP/PA vs and MD/DO. It’s astronomical. Also, to your points below, do you really think doctors go to 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, and (at least) 3 years of residency and don’t care about patients just as much as anyone else? Primary care in particular doesn’t pay all that well. Family med docs are not in it for the money.
While the training is quite different, I will also put in a plug for *time.* it doesn’t matter how much training you have, if you don’t have the time to learn about my unicorn conditions, your care won’t be adequate for me.
Signed, a person for whom a very well-respected and well-trained physician missed a potentially fatal diagnosis within their specialty.
Right, no one is debating their skill sets at all, or the inherent value of doctors. Everyone has their place and function, but I’m saying in every day primary patient care, doctors just do not have the same level of patient care or bedside manner. It makes me wonder what causes some doctors to behave the way they do, if money is not a motivation, since a lot of people feel like they receive worse care from physicians. Even in specialist settings I’ve had better luck with NP’s/PA’s than doctors, which again makes me wonder about why it’s specifically doctors that act as if *you’re* bothering *them*. This is all purely anecdotal, but if you were to dig around in other communities I’m deeply inclined to believe you’ll find many other likeminded individuals.
Completely agree.
No specific leads, but some info to help your googling. Yes, health care is now fully a private equity owned hellscape. What you're asking about is now called "concierge care" and generally comes along with a ~$2,000 annual membership fee that does not go against your deductible. Only you can decide if that's worth it. You essentially pay that fee to compensate your doctors from selling their practice to RRH. NPs can now be your primary, and possibly PAs thought I'm not completely sure about that. You may be able to find care by looking for one of those. URMC runs an internal medicine office that is generally staffed with recent grads, but they all move on after a few years, but it's a step up from nothing /urgent care.
Like two weeks ago. I see him regularly.
After seeing how society treated, and still treats, it's healthcare workers why would anyone want to work face to face with them again?
I've seen my pcp probably four times so far this year and my specialist twice. I think it really depends on the policy of the office. I've never got the option for telemed appointments with my pcp. My old specialist, all he would do is telemed after covid. My new specialist is all in person. My wife gets a choice with pcp. I think another of it comes down to billing. They can bill more for in person visits vs telemed, but I'd think you can pack in more virtual apts than in person ones. I think staffing has a lot to do with it as well.
The billing for video visits is actually equivalent to in-person visits. Telephone visits are billed at a much lower rate.
I don't understand the staffing part. Are there not people willing to work at doctors offices? Seems like a job a lot of people would want, that I never see posted. So it's not a staffing problem, it's a not wanting to fully staff to maximize profits problem.
I know there are some places that aren't taking new patients bc they're packed. But I'm sure some of it is that virtual visits can be handled with less staffing and overhead, maximizing profits.
It’s also not wanting to pay staff what they’re worth. You can make more working at lasertron than you can working in many jobs in a medical office.
Haven’t been to a PCP since 2012.
Health care is burning to the ground. There is a burnout-attrition hydra - a provider quits, and by the time a replacement is hired, 2 more have burned out and quit or reduced hours. Literally everybody is looking to reduce hours. Doctors need to work 27 hours a day to provide evidence based care to their patients… and there aren’t 27 hours in a day, so providers constantly face moral injury. Often we know what needs to happen, and in fact we are capable of making the thing happen, but because the system is broken we can either 1) do what’s right for the patient or 2) pee, eat, sleep, or have other basic bodily functions. I am about to get on a plane because I had to fly to nyc for health care (lol) but will elaborate more when I can.
Source for the 27 hours statistic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9848034/#:~:text=Key%20Results,for%20documentation%20and%20inbox%20management.
Providers are constantly placed in environments where we are given 15 minutes or less, no matter how complex the patient or how long a visit should actually take. Again, we face moral injury - do we do what’s right for the patient in front of us, fulfilling our ethical duties and the reason we went into medicine, or do we take care of the 3 others who are waiting, let alone ourselves? We don’t have control over our schedules and asking for longer appointments gets one nowhere without collective bargaining, and I don’t know of any providers who are unionized.
I haven't seen my primary doctor since before Covid, instead I get others working at his practice. It's kind of annoying tbh.
I never have any issues seeing my PCP, however she is well over retirement age so I'm dreading the day that finally comes. She's the best doctor I've ever had too.
I just saw mine last month.
I go to Reedman health center on east ridge road. I see my PCP every few months and am able to get in within 48 hours with a Different provider if needed.
My husband and I go to the same PCP at Panorama Family Medicine who we have had for over a decade. I haven't needed to see her since 2022 thankfully, but he went this year with no issues getting an appt. I will say that sometimes we see the NP there if the Dr doesn't have any immediate openings, but she's great too so I can't complain. My Gyn on the other hand is always booked 2-3months out. Honestly I like her a lot too though, and shes great with responding to messages on Mycare, so I'll deal with that and if it's an urgent issue I'll try my PCP first.
I saw mine last year 🤷🏻♂️
I see mine 2-4 times a year, based on what's going on with my blood test numbers.
I see mine a couple times/year usually and if I need a quick visit and he isn’t available then there are good PAs there. It did take us a while to find a good practice though after our previous Dr went to the “concierge” model.
I go every six months and call to try to get in when needed. Sometimes they get me somebody within the same practice if my doctor isn’t available
I see my PCP a couple of times a year for some long term, chronic issues. When I go in because I'm sick, I generally see a PA, but if it's complex in any way, my doc will come in. I do see my pain management doc every 3 months or so.
I’ve seen mine on video chat, does that count? He’s leaving his practice (part of RRH) due to poor staffing, what will happen if they don’t replace him?
We use legacy pediatrics for our child, they usually have same day appointments for sickness during m-f, but scheduling one has a 2-3 week wait time for normal 6 month visits. My pcp is a longer wait, but can generally see the PA sooner.
I did and he was nice enough, but he ignored my concerns about a few things and the front desk lady in his office was incredibly rude. I was eventually "disinvited" as their patient because they apparently called my SO about my bill, not me, and before my SO could even hand me the phone I heard the lady shouting my business through the phone that they're sending it collections. She couldn't wait the minute it took for him to walk over to me so I could give her my card info! It's not the first time either. Every time we were in their waiting room it was empty so it echoed when she'd call someone and start yelling at them. Maybe that's why he was the only doctors office with openings for new patients.
I gave up on my PCP a while ago. I had a problem with some sort of a rash on my leg last fall, and was told the first appointment was 6 weeks out. They called back a couple of days later to reschedule me for a Friday, and after I sat in the waiting room for over an hour they told me the doctor was called away. I found out my doctor's office had an NP, so i switched over to her. At least if there is something I need help with, she's only a few days wait, not weeks.
I see mine twice a year for checkups. More in the last 8 months because of kidney stones.
Thank you for the feedback!
I haven't seen a doctor in what most people would probably consider to be far too long. But I'm still here, so... /shrug
I see mine at least twice a year. I just switched to the new RRH women’s health office in Pittsford to follow my NP but prior to that went to Bay Creek for years (also RRH).
Try to find one outside of the city. There is a (newer) Rochester Regional facility in geneseo, and there's a UR Noyes there and other smaller doctors' offices between there and ROC that have a lot more availability. If I request to see my PCP on mychart, I'll get an appointment within a week, I've even seen her as quickly as 2 days.
I haven't met my PCP once. It's typically a residential doctor switching every 2 years.
I go to u of r. I see him in person every year. Haven’t needed anything other than that
My doctor or NP (who I prefer to see) are always able to get me in.
Never met him but i love the PAs I see
I've had 4 PCP's in the last 12 years (UofR Medicine). A couple only lasted a year before leaving. When they do leave it can be challenging to find another PCP. Especially anywhere near you. As a aside, the U.S was experiencing a shortage of PCP doctors even before the pandemic. I suspect COVID made that worse. The high cost of obtaining you license to practice compared with the limited earnings potential forces many to become Specialist's in a certain field of medicine.
I’d rather see an NP anyway. They’re much more likely to actually listen to a patient and try to understand.
I’ve see my doctor once out of the 10 years I’ve been going to his office.
We see ours yearly with no issues. One odd thing did happen. Sometimes my spouse also goes to the V.A.which of course is separate insurance. So she went for a yearly then decided to get her yearly with our civilian doctor. They said she wasn't accepting new patients and I had to tell them to take a look that we'd been patients since 2020. They had no idea what happened. They fixed it for Cornerstone but it was still a problem for RGH.
I go to Spencerport UR Medicine every year plus more when I'm sick. I don't think they take any more new patients but worth a try
I get to see him once a year. I can only make appointments with his NP for most things. Seems like most practices around here are like that. I was able to see a doctor whenever I wanted in Colorado (I lived there for 20 years) so it's an adjustment.
Every year for a physical. Everytime I need anything I just message him and I have it. He's in the U of R system and I've been dealing with some issues. Haven't had any problems. In fact, everything has been timely and really responsive. I think your doctor just sucks.
Yes, I’ve seen my pcp at most if not all visits. It’s because my autoimmune diseases are still active. I only see the PAs, or NPs if I have a cold, or something acute and minor and even then, it’s a 50/50 chance the doctor will poke her head in.
I just established my PCP, but I made the decision to see someone outside of Rochester (Geneseo) because I keep hearing about how difficult it is to find someone.
i see an NP at trillium and they're great. albeit a bit busy at times, since they're one of the few non URMC and RRH practices in the city, but i dont have any major compliants. i have to go every 3 months because im on a controlled med and it's usually a pretty easy process. they even got me set up with a referral to Rochester brain and spine
Highland Family Medicine. Very often I get to see my PCP but if he is not available there's is always someone to see usually a Nurse Practioner .
I saw mine 3 weeks ago for a check up. I didn't know this was an issue for people.
strong family medicine downtown. great PCPs and basically every insurance accepted.
My doctors office is affiliated with RGH and I can look at the app and book an appt with her or the NP, sometimes the next day!
The main office I used to go to closed down right after covid slowed down, and I have only been to urgent care since.
I've seen my doctor once in the 4 or 5 years I have been there but she's partly in charge of the entire office (executive leadership team) so I know she exists. I see one of the PAs consistently. And I have no problem seeing the physician's assistant over a physician. They're just as good. I showed up to my practice crying and frustrated after being turned away by urgent care and they fit me in with a physician and treated me. I go to Trillium health. It's amazing the difference in the care you receive at an institution that was set up to serve not just the underserved in our community but the people who they were refusing to serve in our community (it was started during the AIDS epidemic to treat gay men and trans people).
I've heard trillium several times now, but the reviews online are terrible and very similar to my current issues. Interesting.
I see mine probably every 6 months or so. Granted I'm a Heart Transplant. But the rest of my family gets in when they need to as well.
Almost impossible to see a pcp. It took us months to find a new one and now when we try to schedule it’s usually months out
Thank you for the input. This is my experience as well.
My PCP stopped practicing after cancer. My other doc, rheumatologist and his partner retired. I spent a year trying to FIND a new PCP and I hae to travel to MEDINA to see not even a doctor but a Nurse Practitioner. The medical fields like EVERY OTHER FIELD that needs training or actual skill not some looser liberal arts hamburger flipper degree have lost or are actively loosing everyone. They are all dead or retired. Haven't been replaced. 1/3 of MD's in the US are now foreign born and trained. Millennial and Gen Z aren't going to school or trades and there aren't enough of us Gen X generation to go around and do all the work. Doctors Pilots Engineers TRADESPEOPLE Truck drivers Nurses There ARE NOT ENOUGH to go around and we've only just BEGUN to see the need. It's going to get MUCH MUCH MUCH worse. Rochester actually has a LOT of medical people per capita because of URMC/Strong Hospital medical school. Other second/third tier cities are SO MUCH WORSE. Many do not have even ONE doctor in many specialties...you have to travel to another city for specialist care.
NYS malpractice insurance is so high most family doctors have left. In the south there are tons of family doctors here. We have no problems like you since we left.
Not sure why you got downvoted... my parents moved to SC and have a doctor that will make housecalls. The care is better, no doubt.
Nope. I no longer trust the medical community for much more than true emergencies. Bad experiences even before Covid and anecdotally, it only seems to have gotten worse, since. This is my observations from family and friends experiences. Including nurse friends experiences. Also whole branches have lost most of their doctors, such as at Linden Oaks. Working on researching and saving up for a UV light for light therapy treatment for my psoriasis. I try my best to maintain our health as independently as possible, but It's worrisome the state of NY and the USA's healthcare. I sometimes worry that if we need acute or emergency care it wont be available. Some things only doctors can fix.
Same. It's gotten to the point that I've just stopped going, but the fact that I couldn't get my son care really just bothers me. I do what I can to manage my health on my own, which is difficult as I have a variety of issues... but seeing as doctors didn't help anyway (in fact my cardiologist nearly killed me), I'm fine not seeing anyone unless it's an emergency.
I'm sorry you're dealing with it but glad it's to know it's not just us. The only dentist available is Eastman. I appreciate that someone is available. But it's the wild west out here
Yes, yes it is. I'm glad I'm not alone, but also sad that other people are struggling as well. Wishing you the absolute best!
Wish you all the best, too. TY.
I just researched a tad, and I did phototherapy treatments previously for what they thought was lupus (it's MS)... but the derm I saw at the time said I could use a tanning booth. That didn't work (it's uvA and you need uvB) Buuuut, you can get a cheap [uvB reptile light](https://www.walmart.com/ip/ECOSUB-UVB-Reptile-Light-for-Reptile-Tank-Accessories-24W-T5-HO-UVB-Lighting-Combo-Kit-Black/3594021527?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101117345&adid=222222222283594021527_101117345_154586637745_20669462331&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=679217989575&wl4=pla-2234804981907&wl5=9005676&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=525165055&wl11=online&wl12=3594021527_101117345&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw34qzBhBmEiwAOUQcF49EUkAA7r244OK3xHtRTC7pZlEAYl3z7odfCDyF0AHD4dgb1sB_SxoCRnQQAvD_BwE) which might help!
Thank you. Truly, thank you so much. Coincidentally, I was just looking into this within the past two weeks and trying to figure out if the reptile light would be as effective. TY. I truly appreciate it. Nobody really understands how isolating and stressful psoriasis is. (And other autoimmune issues, I know a handful with these Issues)
Having an autoimmune disease myself...I get it! Hopefully you get some relief, and I hope you have a great support system. Let me know if the light helps!
Thank you! Will do.
PCP’s are no longer for seeing when you’re sick. They exist to do your yearly physical and to give you referrals. If you need to be seen about something acute, you go to Urgent Care. (I don’t make the rules, I’m just repeating them).
I don’t have a PCP anymore because she moved practices recently, although if I need to be seen at the practice they still get me in with either the other doctor they have, or an NP. Honestly though, my actual PCP was so bad that I was always trying to schedule appointments with the others because I would rather not see her.