Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

Do you feel that you receive better care with a sole practioner v. a group practice?

For those of you who use a group practice do you ever feel like you are not receiving "personalized" care?

I use a group practice and ONE of the challenges that I am facing is that every time Icall i feel like I have to give my entire history to get my question answered accuraetly. I'm not sure if this would be much different if I was with a sole practitioner.

Please share what you have found to be the pros and the cons of using a group practice/sole practitioner. Thanks.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I am not part of a group. And I don't have experience with a group practice.

But I do enjoy my sole practitioner. I've gotten to know the receptionist pretty well, so it's easy to talk to her. And it's nice to know when I walk into my office the midwife knows me by face, not by chart.

I haven't had any negative experiences using a sole practitioner.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

my Ob was a sole practitioner but had midwife and Nurse practioners.. that was great when i had to go to the office for emergency visits, but check ups the wait would be sooo long.

Also another con to sole- had to be hospitalized for a few days for renal colic once and he was away so had to deal with a covering doctor who knew nothing about me. Also when i went into labor it was a jewish holiday so my OB was off, so once again i had to deal with a covering doctor, who delieverd my dd.

Tho my Ob was nice and liked him, im thinking about going to a group office for my next child, just incase this happens again, then i know ill be dealing with someone with access to my chart.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I was part of a group and switched to a sole practioner for the same reasons you are describing. I feel like the baby is getting better care, and if i call they know who I am, when I come in the know who i am its alot more personalized attention

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I am stll very early and am really contemplating a switch. Right now I am just not feeling totally comfortable with the attention that I get. Sigh...this is not something I wanted to worry about at this point.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

Posted by Alicia

I am stll very early and am really contemplating a switch. Right now I am just not feeling totally comfortable with the attention that I get. Sigh...this is not something I wanted to worry about at this point.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

DH and I bought a house in E. Islip last year so I assumed that I would be switching OBs. I am originally from Nassau County and my OB is in Garden City. I did not want to have to deal with the trek back and for for about 35-40 mins each way during a pregnancy, nor did I want to deliver at Winthrop which is far from my house. I was always a part of a group... and though my doctor was good, I kind of felt like cattle in that office. When asking for referrals from the girls on here, I was given the name of a wonderful sole practitioner who used to be part of a group but broke away and started his own. He has been so wonderful!!! I feel totally comfortable and have full confidence in him. He also lives 5 minutes from Good Sam where I will be delivering so that makes me feel even better!! It isn't any easy decision but IMO I prefer the more specialized care. Good luck!

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

My practice has 3 doctors but only two deliver. They are affiliated with another practice, but those docs do not come into the office. There are no nurse practictioners or midwives. They also bring in a perinatologist on Wednesdays to do ultrascreens and amnios. My original OB sees women through the first trimester and then the other two alternate for the rest of a pregnancy. One of the other two docs in the practice worked with me regarding ultrascreen and the other is doing the amnio. When I make appointments, I see who is available and I imagine I will continue to alternate between the two - makes logical sense to me.

As far as delivery goes, I look at it this way. Sometimes docs go on vacations or maybe they are delivering other kids and SOMEONE has to get the baby out. I am pretty confident that if neither of my doctors are available at the time of delivery that there has to be SOME OB on staff at LIJ who can deliver my child safely. I don't think I will be that picky when I am in labor.

Message edited 3/8/2008 10:37:41 AM.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I go to a group practice....

yeah, I feel like just a # sometimes... but I figured out a way to get more personalized service

When I book my appt's, I ask for a timeslot covered by the same physician I usually see.... that way, it's not someone new every time

there are benefits to a group, though... they can afford the latest equipment right in their office, and if there's an emergency, it's easier to be seen at a moments notice. also, if you decide you don't like your Dr. anymore, you can easily switch to someone else in the practice merely by asking for a timeslot with that person at the next appt.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I used to go to a group and now I go to an office that only has 2 doctors. The group I went to had three or four offices. I had the same problems you had plus a little more. I switched at 8 weeks and now I am very happy where I am at.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

Posted by wannabemom

I go to a group practice....

yeah, I feel like just a # sometimes... but I figured out a way to get more personalized service

When I book my appt's, I ask for a timeslot covered by the same physician I usually see.... that way, it's not someone new every time

there are benefits to a group, though... they can afford the latest equipment right in their office, and if there's an emergency, it's easier to be seen at a moments notice. also, if you decide you don't like your Dr. anymore, you can easily switch to someone else in the practice merely by asking for a timeslot with that person at the next appt.

Message edited 3/8/2008 10:41:44 AM.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

i always saw a sole practitioner, until I got pregnant, and switched to a group practice...thanx to AnnBrunoXO for sending me to the right practice.

I saw 4 out of the 5 doctors... felt comfortable with all, and got the attention I needed. my history was in the computer... so they always knew what was up. did i feel more comfy with one then the rest...yes...but they were all great.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

Posted by Alicia

Posted by wannabemom

I go to a group practice....

yeah, I feel like just a # sometimes... but I figured out a way to get more personalized service

When I book my appt's, I ask for a timeslot covered by the same physician I usually see.... that way, it's not someone new every time

there are benefits to a group, though... they can afford the latest equipment right in their office, and if there's an emergency, it's easier to be seen at a moments notice. also, if you decide you don't like your Dr. anymore, you can easily switch to someone else in the practice merely by asking for a timeslot with that person at the next appt.

My only challenge with that is that you are required to see all the doctors in the practice. I believe there are a total of 6 doctors!

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

i used to go to a group.. the reason i left was because after having gone to this group doc for years i went after getting my bfp and found that half of the group had left! jusst up and left! no one was left but one doc whom i had never seen before. i felt very uncomfortable... so i went and sought out the doc who delivered my daughter 7 yrs ago.. he's a sole practitioner.. was then and stil is.. the office is amazing.. they know everything bout me, i call and they know who i am, very personal.. both have advantages and disadvantages..

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

Posted by wannabemom

Posted by Alicia

Posted by wannabemom

I go to a group practice....

yeah, I feel like just a # sometimes... but I figured out a way to get more personalized service

When I book my appt's, I ask for a timeslot covered by the same physician I usually see.... that way, it's not someone new every time

there are benefits to a group, though... they can afford the latest equipment right in their office, and if there's an emergency, it's easier to be seen at a moments notice. also, if you decide you don't like your Dr. anymore, you can easily switch to someone else in the practice merely by asking for a timeslot with that person at the next appt.

My only challenge with that is that you are required to see all the doctors in the practice. I believe there are a total of 6 doctors!

really? i wonder why they have that policy

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I love my Dr and picked him because of his sole practice. I feel very comfortable with him...He is the only one I see and the only one who calls me back if I have a question...I think it is very important to feel safe and comfortable with your Dr. and I know a sole practice really is the best possible situation for me.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I go to a group practice that has 8 doctors and 10 midwives. I love it and wouldnt switch. I can get an appointmnet whenever I want, and I enjoy meeting the midwives. At every appointment I meet a new midwife and they each spend at least 15 minutes with me just chatting. I feel very comfortable with them. After baby, I will go back to my regular doctor within that practice for my follow-up appointmnets and yearly pap smears and stuff.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I go to a single doctor. I prefer it that way.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I go to a group practice and at first I was not sure if I would like it. But each visit I meet with a different dr, so I've seen them all before delivering. Everytime I have been in I have been made to feel comfortable and not rushed, or like a #.

Unlike my DR when I was in NY, where if he was not available, I might have been delivered by a partner office, I never met, but, "he trusted".

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

When I was pregnant w/Hayley I went to a sole practitioner. The wait was so long for appointments, when I had some emergencies, he wasn't always available, when I had to have an emergency c-section he wasn't on call that weekend, some other Dr was...yes it was nice when the receptionist and nurses knew who I was.

For this pregnancy I ended up switching to the Dr who delivered Hayley. It is him and 1 other Dr. They are both great! (and if for some reason they are not on call, the Dr I left is the Dr that covers for them.)

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I go to a group practice; I just like the idea that there is always someone available and the practice is 4 doctors, so it's not overwhelming.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I go to a group practice as well. I like it and appreciate the different advice, input, and personalities.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I use a group practice and I'm very happy with them. When I have questions there's always a doctor who can answer my question and if they have to call me back they do it in a very reasonable amount of time. What's nice too is that there is a high risk OB on staff. They are a fabulous group and I wouldn't use anyone else personally. I told DH if we move to NJ, he'd better be prepared to take me to Woodbury for my OB visits for baby#2 in a few years and that we'd be delivering again at NSUH b/c that's where my groups is affiliated. I've met most of the OB's in the office at this point and they are all super nice and very supportive and encouraging given my situation. I can't tell you anything about mid-wives b/c being high risk I'm not a candidate for that.

Message edited 3/8/2008 9:59:13 PM.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I use a solo Dr. and prefer it. He knows me well as I've been going to him for years and is always available when I need him.
When I had an emergency situation, he had me come right in - saw me as soon as I walked in the door and made immediate phone calls for me to have further testing done right away....I'm not sure I would get care like that in a group practice.

Re: Group Practice v. Sole Practitioner

I switched from a sole practitioner because unless I delivered on a Wednesday I wouldn't know who I would meet in the delivery room. She had a list of 11 doctors who could be on call. I wanted the chance to meet who I could be having deliver my baby so we decided to switch to a group. There are 6 doctors and I will meet all of them before I deliver.

I would much rather have it this way. Also, I didn't even get the feeling that the sole practitioner even remembered me from visit to visit, so to me there was no question..