OK, I don't mean discontinue a relationship with a current patient. I don't mean stop accepting new patients. I mean, if a physician is currently accepting new patients, can he/she refuse to accept a SPECIFIC patient?

Here's the situation: My husband and I were talking about a family friend with, let's say, a colorful medical history and her own personal take on what constitutes good care. (I'm being kind)

My husband said, "She's going to end up so that no doctor will take her on."

I've been thinking about that. A doctor doesn't get your records until you're already a new patient, right? Can a doctor legally think/say, "This person has been to 15 doctors and accused them all of malpractice and not taking her seriously...I'm not accepting her as a patient."

I'm thinking a doctor doesn't even KNOW who the incoming patients are...in other words, you call the office, ask if the doctor is accepting new patients, the receptionist says "yes", and you make an appointment.

From the other perspective, how does a doctor avoid getting stuck with a cuckoo that's going to be trouble? Is it just a risk of the profession? Inquiring minds....

I'm thinking that they can. Your medical records are out there and they have anything and everything nowadays. My take on it.

You have to be very careful what you say to your doctor as they key in everything. You would be surprised. They aren't like a friend in the old days where you could actually "visit" with them and not worry about such stuff. My experience anyway.

Yes, I believe a doctor can refuse a patient.

I believe there is a service that is run by insurance companies who label those who frequently sue.

I don't know how common these lists are but you might want to read this:
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/stor...ctice-lawsuits

My sister has been refused by several and it always surprises her. She is a MD shopper and pill seeker, and runs from one MD to another. She seeks new MDs all the time and is always shocked when the new MD says "yes, I am taking new patients, but no i am not willing to see you, please seek help elsewhere." and they hang up on her.

That is in NC, im not sure about other states, but I am sure it can happen in CT as well. I had a neighbor who was a huge whiner complainer, and sued the pants off several MDs. After a while she was stunned when she would dimiss her MD and the next one would refuse her. I dont know how they got the word out, but they did.

I had a neighbor who was "fired" by my internist. He sent her a letter that said that as of 2 weeks he would no longer be responsible for her care. This was because she was a non-compliant patient.

ANN

Yes, A doctor does not have to take a person on as a patient. They usually do have records or ask for them ahead of time. If you do not cooperate, they can also dismiss you for that. I refused a test, and he didn't want to keep me on. The feeling was mutual, and it was the only time in my life that I refused to do something. I don't work well with physicians that don't show compassion. ginnie

I had a really bad MD once and while I was in the hospital my best friend told her "if something happens to my friend, im coming after YOU! I hope you know that!" and when I got home I was greeted by a letter that I was being dismissed from her service as she no longer felt capable of caring for my needs, and wished me well. no suggestion of what to do, or where to go. Just not to her office. I couldnt figure out what happened till years later my friend admitted that she over heard this MD making rude comments and was unhappy about the way I was being treated, so she put her feet over the fire. UGH! stop helping me! What really ticked me off was DH kept seeing her!

I felt many many many MDs in Connecticut were dismissive, rude, and quick to worry about their liability before they worried about you as a patient. I was quite sick and they didnt seem to know what was wrong. They didnt seem to want to dig for the answer either. they just want to push me to the next guy. I felt like a leper for many a year till we moved to NH and the little back woods guy said "you have MS, why didnt anyone see that?" never crossed my mind to look for it.

Sorry your doctor dismissed you too. Now at least you have a good doctor who found out what was wrong. I was dismissed because I wouldn't do the EMG test, I had had enough of needles and I didn't want to be a cow with a cattle prod. My new neruo when I asked him about that test, said "Oh we can do lots of other tests that won't hurt like that" He did, and I received my second fusion without going through what the origional neuro wanted. I wasn't rude to the first doc. Just stubborn and I am glad I found the neuro I have now. I am glad things worked out for both of us. ginnie

The only exception I take to that behavior rule, is if a doctor does not listen to you. Right now, I found out that my specialist for 7 years, didn't believe me at how painful my foot was. I have a torn achilles tendon, a post tibial tendon tear, and the heel of my foot moved to the outside, thereby colapsing my foot. If he were near me right now I would indeed sream at him.He left me in pain for 7 years, and never did an MRI. Just becasue I didn't go in ranting about the pain doesn't mean I didn't experinece it. I am bitter and I am angry that he did nothing to find out the real cause of what happened to my foot. His dianosis was wrong, his treatment was wrong, and he had me spend thousands on orthodics and braces that did nothing for me. A simple MRI would have found the cause. I would indeed yell at him right now if here were in front of me. I get my whole foot re-built, on May 2nd. It has been left to deterioate all this time. I am more than ticked. ginnie

Oh Ginnie, what a mess! Dam*, I would tell that guy. I am so mad at him for you!

Best wishes for a good rebuild and a good recovery!
ANN