Recently I had to choose a new PCP b/c my PCP transferred to another clinic. I didn’t mind so much and I can honestly say that I’ve never had a truly unpleasant experience as a patient at Northwestern, but unfortunately, my recent experiences have been nothing but unpleasant. I selected another PCP and was scheduled for April 22. Although I had to wait several weeks for an appointment I was happy to wait b/c I was able to see a physician that I felt would best address my health concerns and relate to my needs as a woman of color.
I unfortunately had to cancel and reschedule my initial appointment due to a lack of transportation ( I use paratransit services to travel).
I apologized for any inconvenience I may have caused the physician as well as her support staff. I was then given an appointment for July 22. A few days prior to my appointment I received a MyChart message stating that due to a template error my appointment had to be canceled and rescheduled. I agreed to do so but was told that the next available appointment would not be until October. At that point I expressed my frustration with having to wait nearly another 2 months for an appointment.
I was advised that I could be scheduled to see another physician while waiting for my appointment in October. I agreed and was given an appointment for early August. On Monday, August 1, I received a text message stating that my appointment had to be canceled and rescheduled b/c the doctor was not going to be in the clinic the week of my appointment. I initially wanted to just abandon the entire process of attempting to see a doctor but I was also in need of an authorization for my medications which I also explained to the Call Center.
I was given an appointment to see the physician I had initially selected to replace my PCP for August 4.
On Tuesday morning at 11:30am I was contacted by the clinic stating that the appointment I was given would be for authorization of my medications ONLY and that the physician would not be able to see me for anything more. My understanding was that I would need to schedule another appointment for anything other than medications. Needless to say I expressed my disappointment and displeasure with having to once again not have my needs met as a patient.
Although I understand that situations may arise from time to time that interfere with the scheduling of patients and that there are instances when physicians may need to cancel an appointment with a patient and reschedule for another day, I feel as though my situation was not given the attention it deserved in an effort to avoid some of the scheduling issues that occurred . I asked that either an administrator or supervisor contact me to help me understand why this situation had occurred, and yet I am still awaiting a phone call or a message via MyChar to address my concerns . On Wednesday I made the decision to transfer my care to the Delano Court facility and I am currently out of my medications. I’m hopeful that I will not have a similar experience and I look forward to meeting my new PCP. I am not sure how some of this could have been avoided, but this is not the standard of care that I have received at Northwestern in the past, nor do I believe it’s the standard of care that Northwestern strives to deliver to it’s patients.