Doctor Transitions- "Goodbye, Folks" Coming to Your Town Soon

OK, Folks- a message from the near future.  Here's what will be happening in communities across the nation.  Doctors will be sending out letters like this.  You will be surprised. Your primary care doctors aren't being replaced and they are leaving practice in droves for retirement or hospital employment.  In California, the hospitals can't employ them, so they just go to another state.  Since the hospitals aren't training new ones as much as they used to, you'll look to the urgent care in Walgreens, CVS, Krogers, etc. for your healthcare.  It'll seem OK for a while.

"Dear Friends and Colleagues in Healing,

I am saddened to have to announce that I will be leaving ................ It has been my pleasure to get to know you. I know this result is a big disappointment for us both. My work here has been a source of great satisfaction for me. The practices in  have been the best practice situations I have worked in. The relationship with my patients has been warm, rich and varied. The staff who have supported me have been wonderful to work with and exceptionally diligent. I believe we have practiced very good medicine together. The pace has been just right, allowing enough time to get to know you. I admire the mutual commitment to doing the best we can with less, since we don’t have all the fancy medical technology or specialists.

This place is wonderful. I have been fortunate to live in a wonderful house just a block away from the hospital. I have cherished being able to do most of my errands with just a brief walk to the store or the bank. Wherever I go, I see people I know. Every time I step outside, no matter where I am or what the season, I feel exhilaration with each breath of fresh air and every fresh vista.

The most frequent questions I have had over the year have been “Do you like it here?” and “Are you going to stay?” I want every one to know that I have loved it here. That has nothing to do with my decision. It was my hope and wish that I would be able to make this my long-term home and that I would be able to slowly wind my way into retirement over the next ten years.

The reason that I cannot is solely due to the economy and the limitations of  ... law on practices in settings like this.  this is not working out. As everyone knows, the state legislature and the Federal Medicare program have put a near stranglehold on small rural health care systems like ours. .   

Due to these restraints I am leaving at the end of the month. I will miss you all and this special place very much. I have been very blessed to have shared this last year with you."

Sincerely,

Way too many family doctors