It was not pleasant at all. My previous Primary left at the end of 2023 and I am still having repercussions from an auto accident in August. I needed to see my neurologist but since it had been three years I needed to get a referral from a primary. So basically it's pick a name out of any that are taking new patients. Aurora's profiles are outdated and give little incite on who to choose. ( In the past, I chose a new doctor and when he walked in I was shocked to see his white hair. The whole point of choosing him was I didn't want a doctor that would be retiring shortly. Sure enough he said he would be at the end of that year. When I mentioned he has black hair in his picture he chuckled and said yeah that was taken about 25 years ago. You don't even mention what year they graduate to even get a ballpark on age).  So I make an appt w/Dr Gustafson so I can get the referral for the concussion specialist in neurology. I went in feeling positive that we will be establishing a doctor/patient relationship. I summarized what my auto immune conditions are and my setbacks from it. I also filled him in on the ongoing issues from the accident and what 2 specialists I am seeing this week and next. We talked about a previous bout I had with gerd and informed him that hasn't been an issue in over a year so I stopped the meds. He felt I needed to see a gastrologist for a scope. I relayed that I have nodules on my thyroid and will be seeing my endocrinologist next week. He also brought up a colonoscopy and I'm not due for one until 2 years.  Then when I mentioned the floaters he gave me a referral for an ophthalmologist to check my retina. He shined a light in my eyes and made a comment that this is an archaic tool that won't be of any use. That was the only thing he did and then this is deemed a "physical"? I don't think so - a meet and greet is more like it. I walk 20 feet from that station and right across to the eye care area. With my referral sheet in hand I am told " no you have to see an optometrist first to refer you to the ophthalmologist. I showed her Dr G's referral in hand and it didn't matter.  By the time I got to my car I had 2 voicemails from the "referral center " wanting to set up appts. 24 hours later another voicemail. Then another message in my chart when I got home.  So they're just going to pick a name for me from their list? I value my doctors opinion on referring me to someone he/she recommends. Dr G. didn't even know the name of the optometrist 20 feet from his area. I want to see patient feedback and doctors summaries in making my decisions. The biggest disappointment of all: I see my lab results online and 2 things are jumping out at me that need to be addressed and explains what I'm experiencing. 2 days later a message from Dr. G summarizing my results. It was as if it was written for a child. I can read and comprehend those results. He neglected to click on past trends? He would have seen the significant change and the numbers were matching prior episodes from the past, one episode that put me in ER. He made light of the red blood cell results as being slightly elevated. Well that certainly explains several things I told him I have been experiencing. I will be discussing these results further with these 2 specialists. Dr G. addressed one of them but told me to take vitamin D in quantities that aren't even available plus I'm already on it!  I know my body and I know when to seek help. I don't need an entity telling me how often I need a physical nor make me keep jumping through hoops to finally see the proper Doctor.  I've witnessed so many changes at Aurora the past 3 years and none of them are patient friendly or give me any confidence in my care. Aurora is obviously pushing for referrals and more procedures and it's all about the mighty dollar instead of patients wellbeing.  As they say we are our best advocates.  
MF Family Practice