Two things have happened recently that are telling me it is time to look for a new neurologist for my husband. First, she is moving her offices. We will have to drive an additional 20 miles through city traffic for his appointments which more than doubles our travel time. We chose her originally because of the close location and now we will be going back to the same place as before. My second concern is that, following a visit to the ER, it took her office a full week to find a time when she could speak with him. I get that she is busy, but we were told to see her as soon as possible. If this is the best they can do, perhaps it’s time to look elsewhere?

My husband, on the other hand, doesn’t like change. I know that a piece of his reluctance is his disease, but he really has always been like this. A few years back, he had to change PCP, neurologist and PT all within about a 6-month period and it was extremely challenging. He likes having a connection with his providers and knowing that they are aware of his particulars and peculiarities, something that takes time to build. He is willing to stay with the current neurologist and follow her wherever she goes so that he doesn’t have to break in a new doctor.

So, here we are, on opposite sides of the fence. I am looking into options and talking to people so we can have an informed discussion. I realize that if we decide this is the correct move, finding the right doctor isn’t going to be easy. We can’t interview neurologists to make sure they are a good fit, we have to depend on what others say and hope for the best. I did check the Parkinson’s Foundation website where I found an article entitled “Finding the Right Doctor” which will help guide us through the process. They stress that the neurologist needs to be someone you are comfortable with because you are embarking on a long-term relationship. “Having a positive relationship helps keep lines of communication open and ultimately is good for your health”, referring to the person with PD. And, might I add, it’s also good for my mental health as his CarePartner.