Would you write a letter?

meghans30

I am about to switch to a new pediatrician. I have list of issues and incidents that has caused me to make the switch. The most recent being that when I brought my 2 yo in for his well visit last week I told him K had been waking up in the middle if the night crying in pain. He told me that I was creating a bad habit and I should let him cry. K has had frequent EIs. He NEVER gets a fever and we already knew fluid was in both ears. When we had his tubes placed in Friday wouldn't you know it that one of his ears was infected! Now that the fluid and infection has been drained, K is not waking up. He actually slept 12 hours last night.

So, would you or have you written a letter explaining why you are leaving? I wouldn't be the first. I have had several people tell me that they also left due to his lack of empathy. Maybe he would change his ways. 

Mickschick

Yes. I almost left our pedi when the twins were 9 months old. It is a husband/wife that own the practice and b/c they have so many patients they also have a physcian's assistant and they brought on another pedi full time. There were incidents that happened with the PA and the other Pedi that I was not happy with. I saw the receptionist at the mall (and I've always been really friendly with her- she was very helpful to me during the twins newborn stage being that they were preemies making sure we didn't have to wait in the waiting room, long for the Dr etc) so I told her we were leaving and why. The pedi called me at home the next day (a Sunday morning) and said that he heard I was leaving and asked me to tell him why (Instead of just hearing it from the receptionist) and I told him and he asked me to give him another chance. Not anyone else in the practice but him. And if I still wasn't happy in a month he would recommend another pedi in the area. I gave him another chance and was happy to stay and he was happy to know where the problems were. He told me that they wouldn't know if we didn't tell them.

Katesmama

I would write the letter.  It won't change your leaving but maybe it will help the doctor learn from his mistakes.  If people never point of our flaws in a positive, helpful manner we will never grow as individuals. 

DandelionMom

I think a letter would be a good idea.  It will help you feel better and it may help the doctor learn how to treat patients and parents better.  Keep it polite and to the point so they'll be more likely to take you seriously. 

I'm glad your DS feels better. 

ljlkm

I would certainly leave any pedi that told me to let my 2 year-old cry in pain, so I don't blame you for leaving.  But I'm pretty cynical and I don't actually think the letter is going to do any good.  But I can't imagine it would hurt, so if you want to, go for it.