How to Find a BAD Doctor in RVA--Update!

Submitted by redditname2003 t3_10ferj7 in rva

Just wanted to thank the lovely people who recommended the Virginia Women's Center to me for gyno care--it was a little bit of a drive but the billing was decent and the testing seemed thorough and like they were using the latest tech.

Stil absolutely impossible to find someone to check out the parts of my body that aren't my breasts or uterus though (yes, I know how that sounds). Special shoutouts to HCAVa Physicians for allowing new patient appointments online, then cancelling those appointments on me multiple times because they actually don't have anything available for a full nine months, and to Commonwealth Primary Care for not even bothering to pick up the phone. I probably have multiple health problems that I could work on and improve with the help of a primary care doctor but I guess my lack of nonemergency access to the medical system is made up for by my newfound empathy for people who get into crystal healing, essential oils, COVID quackery, and all sorts of other nonsense. At this point I'm about to get into homemade remedies myself--I'm sure Doctor Internet can give me a few ideas...

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Jon_hamm_wallet t1_j4wca0x wrote

I called Virginia Physicians and was able to get in with a PA within 2 weeks. Maybe try them?

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redditname2003 OP t1_j50jljv wrote

Thank you! I was able to get an appt within 2 months, which compared to what I was seeing elsewhere is NOTHING.

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No-Catch7813 t1_j4wm1q7 wrote

So our GP is through Family Practice Associates of Chesterfield. They’re aligned to St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian. I’m not sure where you are but they have been great. Our primary is usually busy but her PA and her nursing staff is willing to take last minute appointments. We’ve also done telemedicine. They have evenings and weekends if you’re a busy working adult.

Hope this helps!

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GMUcovidta t1_j4wcwfp wrote

Patient First offers primary care services, you could try them.

Also worth noting it isn't surprising the more expensive private practice doctors (VWC) have more openings than lower cost medical services (HCA Physicians). It doesn't make them "bad doctors" it means there's a shortage of doctors in this area.

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derndy t1_j4wu8b3 wrote

Patient first doctors have misdiagnosed me so many times. They're only worth a trip if you need a doctor's note or can't get in anywhere else for an illness imo. I go to planned parenthood for regular exams and while they can take a while to get in to, they offer great care.

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Davidm241 t1_j4xjx1d wrote

Agreed. I had to go to one late in the evening after a bicycle crash. They were obviously understaffed and overworked. They didn't clean the wound properly before gluing it shut and aI got a staph infection. Not fun.

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SuccessfulPres t1_j50tl0a wrote

Patient first unfortunately understaffs physicians and loads up on midlevels (NPs and PAs)- making medical error much more likely.

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BureauOfBureaucrats t1_j4wecje wrote

> I guess my lack of nonemergency access to the medical system is made up for by my newfound empathy for people who get into crystal healing, essential oils, COVID quackery, and all sorts of other nonsense. At this point I'm about to get into homemade remedies myself--I'm sure Doctor Internet can give me a few ideas...

I relate to this too tragically well.

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benihana_christmas t1_j4wh4eg wrote

I just went to the women’s health clinic at VCU Stony Point. I waited 5 months for my appointment but found out at check in that they have a cancellation list.

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TripawdCorgi t1_j4wzopz wrote

I just got a PCP appt with Primary Health Group at Retreat as a new patient, I was able to get in within 3 weeks. I've heard good things about the doctor I'm seeing but I've also have heard the front desk staff is a bit grumpy. I haven't been yet so I can't report any personal experience yet. Their website appt maker didn't work for me so I called. I've also heard amazing things about 7 Hills but they're direct care and right now I would prefer going through my insurance.

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SwanOverSunshine t1_j4yzh76 wrote

Yep! Doc is fantastic, office staff and procedures are awful. For about six months, their after hours number didn’t work (!!!). Kept telling them about it, gave me attitude. They leave early too. I had a prescription issue one Friday afternoon (the visit was that morning) and called a half hour before closing - crickets. No way to leave a message, no after hours nurse, etc. Ended up going to patient first that night, and turns out they misdiagnosed me. This all could have been figured out if they hadn’t left early and had a functioning after hours procedure. I did decide to switch docs, and found one. I’m in month 4 of my 7 month wait for my first appt 😂

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TripawdCorgi t1_j4ztvyk wrote

Oh wow. I'm switching from a doc and office I didn't like so this isn't comforting lol.

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MrDeene t1_j4x2en1 wrote

Much as I wasn't the greatest fan of having to trek downtown to MCV for my PCP, they were at least better than the HCA PCP I switched to here in Short Pump. Moving to Raleigh/Durham soon and not expecting it to be better but still hoping for it to be.

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Playful_Quail t1_j4y6cgu wrote

Glad you liked VWC. My OB there is my favorite doctor I’ve ever had! They are great and also do their best to see you same day if they can

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dsm5lovechild t1_j50pi90 wrote

Lol I’m sitting here with the sheet draped over me right now

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Lennyisback81 t1_j4wk1uo wrote

Saw one world accepting new, I think.

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needsexyboots t1_j4x5oz1 wrote

If it makes you feel any better, I’m an established patient with HCA primary care and I’ve scheduled 3 appointments online only to be told those times didn’t actually exist. You’d think they’d just stop offering that option at this point?

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Maleficent_Heat_8336 t1_j509n4w wrote

Try Dr. Yorleny Sherrier at Grove Avenue Primary Care. She is amazing!

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RadiantShirt2236 t1_j4zz5sq wrote

I had the same issue with HCAVa physicians with letting you make an appointment only to cancel it a week later because those open appointments “aren’t for new patients”. I called Reynolds Primary Care on Forest Ave I wanna say in October or November maybe and was able to get an appointment for December - however, I went in saying I had specific concerns and wanted to see a PCP to discuss them, which I guess sounds more urgent than just wanting a routine physical exam. If you call and say you’re just a new patient and want to establish yourself as such it seems that they have no urgency, but if you call and say you have xyz concerns you may be able to get in sooner

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WakeNikis t1_j4xmza6 wrote

> Special shoutouts to HCAVa Physicians for allowing new patient appointments online, then cancelling those appointments on me multiple times because they actually don't have anything available for a full nine months

FYI: hca is the largest for profit hospital system in the country. I would say more, but I don’t want to get in trouble for slander.

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