[queasy27]

Perhaps I've been unluckier than most, but every doctor I've seen in the 8 years I've been here has left: primary care, cardiologist, electrophysiologist, ophthalmologist, podiatrist, pulmonologist, endocrinologist, and dentist. If I kept a paper address book any more, there would be a whole lot of crossed-out names!

To my knowledge, none of them retired; they moved "back home" or on to other jobs. I was not notified about any of them leaving except for my primary care who called because she knew how upset I'd be.

A related problem is front office turnover. I see my current GP probably once a year and she's had a different nurse every time. Honestly, having an efficient, well run front office is just as important to me as the doctors themselves.

I called to make an appointment with my eye doctor after 18 months and the receptionist said I had the wrong number. So not only was he gone but everyone else was so new that they didn't even recognize his name.

Have others had better luck than me, or is this really a widespread problem?

I find the way they do things to be very odd. My husband goes to Florida Retina Institute and they rotate the doctors and staff through several different offices like a band of gypsies. I also overheard that one doctor at FHV joined the practice after he left another practice because he had a quota of patients he needed to see every day. Sadly it is becoming a production line environment.

[2BNTV]

Fortunately, I can't share your experiences with doctors, as I have seeing the same one's for several years.

[sunny70]

I can identify with FW. I've been here 16 years. My first doctor died of a sudden Heart Attack. My next doctor only stayed for a couple years, them moved back to Ocala to be a Hospitalist. My next doctor (in the Villages Health system) was wonderful, but retired because she said the Paperwork demanded due to Obamacare kept her from time to actually practice medicine. My next doctor was great, but she moved back to VA where her husband was working. Then the Villages Health changed to their Medicare Advantage rule, so I left and now i have another doctor who is okay, so far! Fortunately, I only go twice a year for checkups. Not sure what would happen if I should get really sick!

[chalpm]

We haven't had that problem. We chose to change our Primary Dr early on, but since then have had the same Primary Dr.,Eye Dr., and Dentist for the last five years. We're part of the Villages Health Care System..love our doctor and the care we receive.

[blueash]

While I have not had issues with lost doctors, the truth seems to be that The Villages is not a desirable place to practice medicine. Your patients are overwhelmingly elderly. The local hospital is barely adequate. There is no social life for the doctor or spouse or children. So that means living in Orlando if you want a larger city and driving every day. And the pay scale here is lower than in a bigger city, and it is harder to get office help because the 20 -40 year old employees you will need don't live here. Are you getting the picture? So the doctors you will get will be very often at the beginning or the end of their career and hired as employees of a corporation. They leave when they have a better offer or finally hang up the stethoscope.

[JoMar]

Have also have had the same Primary, Orthopedic, Dentist and Eye Doctor for the last 4 years.

[Northwoods]

I am with The Villages Health System and am extremely happy. I agree... it's hard to attract physicians to Central FL. But The Villages is trying to attract good physicians by paying a salary and caping the number of patients (so physicians don't have that revolving door of patients). Primary care physicians with TVH are able to spend time with their patients (30 min. or 60 min. annual exams). You can almost always get a same day appointment with a PA or Nurse Practitioner. I believe that model is how they can recruit very good physicians. I've been here 4 years and am still with the same Primary Care Physician. I know UHC-A doesn't work for everyone... and people have to do what is right for them. But I believe The Villages is trying to build a excellent patient care system.

[billethkid]

We have the PCP for the last 12 years.

We do make a practice of going to Ocala/Gainesville/Orlando/away from TV for specialists.

UF/Shands has a very complete cadre of specialties that we make use of when needed.

We seek those providers who are not at either end of their careers....but at their peak....newest technology....latest approach to many long time issues.

To each his own.

Convenience is nice to have......to a point.