Doctors can become like members of the family over a period of time. That’s why it can be extremely traumatizing when one’s long-term doctor retires. From finding a new physician to ensuring one’s medical records remain intact, a doctor’s retirement can prove quite stressful for many patients. By taking a level-headed approach, patients can rest assured they will experience a smooth transition from one doctor to the next. This can be accomplished by selecting a new physician with care, while also making certain that medical records are easily accessible throughout the entire process.

The Right Approach Can Help You Find a New Doctor

When it comes to finding a new doctor, the practiced approach is often the best one. This can include garnering recommendations from several sources, as well as speaking with prospective doctors directly to determine if they are a good fit. The following tips can help further demystify the process:

• Ask Around – Soliciting recommendations from friends and loved ones can be a great way to find a new doctor. You can even ask your outgoing doctor for a referral.

• Know the Difference – It’s a good idea to be aware of the different types of doctors (i.e. general practitioners, specialists, etc.) This can save both time and hassle when seeking a new doctor.

• Call for More Info – Once you’ve received a few recommendations, you can then begin calling prospective doctors. Try thinking of a few questions beforehand to ensure a doctor will be a good match for your needs.

Ensure Easy Access to Medical Records

Another important task when a doctor retires is to make certain you can easily access medical records. This will allow you a point of reference for any new physicians, as well as helping to ensure that the information contained therein is up-to-date. You can easily request medical records from your outgoing doctor during your last visit. These records will be invaluable to your new physician, as they will detail your past medical history as well as any ongoing conditions. While offices can usually transfer files easily, in the event of a problem it helps to have a copy of your records on hand. You can also ensure that there is no missing or inaccurate information by looking over your medical records upon receipt.

A Stress-Free Transition Can Be Yours

In addition to above methods, My Retired Doctor can help all patients ably deal with a beloved doctor’s retirement. Thanks to our trusted scanning services, we can easily transmit a patient’s medical records to a number of different sources. This can prove particularly beneficial whether seeking a new doctor, or merely as a means of keeping abreast of one’s own medical history.