I have lived in the same town now for 18 years and thus have acquired a number of local providers that offer goods and services.   One of them is my doctor’s offices.  However as I have noted in previous posts I have had the bad luck that every doctor I have had contact with over the past 18 years is no longer with the practice.  Is my loyalty to the doctor or the practice? 

Well in my case the doctor’s office is less than 2 minutes from my house.  That’s very convenient to say the least.   And all my records are with this practice which is also convenient.   I met one of the new doctors on my last visit a couple of months ago and he mentioned that I had not been in for a physical in 2 years – something that I know I needed to address.  Part of it was due to the fact that the doctor that performed my prior physical was no longer with the practice. 

So now I am faced with the prospect of having a physical with a doctor I hardly know and who (aside from my charts and records) hardly knows me.  My one meeting with the doctor was rather brief and he displayed little (ok zero) personality.  Yes I needed a physical complete with all the fun and games associated with what happens to a man once he turns 50.  

I don’t know anyone that actually enjoys going to the doctor and certainly don’t know anyone that enjoys having a physical.   Might it be easier or better if I actually had a cordial if not friendly relationship with the   doctor?   Maybe so but what I think is more important is that I have a terrific doctor – one that will be thorough, direct and have some understanding of what is my day to day lifestyle.  

I wonder if liking your doctor might compromise the doctor-patient relationship.   If there is a warm relationship between doctor and patient is it possible that the doctor might hold back on some of the inevitable scolding that seems to exist between doctors and patients?    Isn’t that part of the deal?  That the doctor will tell you to lose weight, eat and drink less, work less, yet exercise more?   Would you be inclined to listen more to your doctor if you liked him or her?   I sure hope not and it would be a bad thing if that were the case. 

I don’t need to like my doctor and maybe that’s a good thing.