Requesting another doctor

I'm not sure... But I do have experience with seeing a fellow for my medical evaluation. I think the physicians are usually doing fellowships and not resident physicians (?) But I am not sure.

I can tell you I don't think seeing a fellow/trainee drastically changed my experience or the outcome. I suspect this was because it was at Mayo, where there's so much care given to the patient experience and training of the clinical staff. They take things very seriously--I would not be saying the same thing if I was bumped to a resident physician at the teaching hospital where I'm seen.

The fellow/trainee who saw me was very motivated, and as far as I could tell followed the Mayo approach, and after the initial interview, he and his supervising physician saw me together. Honestly, I believe the trainees I saw were more motivated and detail-oriented than their supervisors. Still, if experience is the main concern, the appeared to work very closely together. I get it, though. In most every other circumstance now (before, I didn't know better), I request not to see a resident physician or fellow...if it's an option. Some of the clinics say it's a teaching hospital, and so that's how it is, etc., etc. I try to ask before I get there if my physician will be working with a trainee. Usually they're amenable, but I also have my other physicians backing me up because I've experienced medical trauma. Having to repeat my history multiple times for a trainee, then their supervisor is difficult and can be re-traumatizing.

You should be able to call the desk/scheduler for your mother's appointment and talk to them about your concerns. Or maybe someone else will have some helpful experience to share.

trinitylm @trinitylm

There are variety of providers at Mayo; nurses, physician assistant, residents, fellows and consultants. May not have terms right, but that is how I classify them. It usually a team approach with everyone reporting / supervised by a consultant.

In some section, I will see the PA or resident first, who will then step out and review with consultant. Sometimes the consultant will come in and review / discuss what I talked to resident about and decide on treatment plan.

Fellows have more experience but still have a consultant supervising their work.

As previous post suggested, call appt desk / scheduler and ask about their procedures and if you will see a consultant in addition to resident. If you do not want to see a resident, voice your concern.

Laurie

Your worry rivals mine because it takes me six days to drive from my home to appointments now. Over the years, since 1992 I think, I have seen them all. Most new residents or fellows are exceptionally talented and interested in their patients. Only one was a huge disappointment. One time three new residents were aghast at the non-western medicine I was using. Their mentor was a physician older than me and he said, "My mother used that on all of us children and it worked very well." Consider working with your scheduled provider and then if not satisfied, report to the patient experience department. https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/patient-experience . If very satisfied, consider doing the same. Best wishes for a successful and useful visit.

Good luck on using patient-experience. They merely pass on your complaint to the medical leadership in the section you are complaining about.

I have been a Mayo patient for almost 20 years. Up to recently the "patient first" motto of Mayo Clinic has made my care outstanding. Recently not so and was told because I had a procedure done at another provider could not longer see the care giver I was wanted to see again because, "due to the volume of patients only can see those who had that procedure done at Mayo." So much for "patient first."

@trinitylm, like others have suggested, I recommend that you express your concern to the department about your mom's first visit being with a resident doctor. A change in doctors may be possible.

I also agree that it is not uncommon to be seen by a resident or a nurse practitioner. As @emo said, Mayo Clinic uses a team approach. The resident is not working in isolation, but with a whole team of specialists.

You can have confidence that your mom is getting Mayo Clinic expertise. But do not hesitate to let the team know your concerns as suggested by @roch and @elimseoj.