Should a husband and wife have the same doctor?

[Anonymous]

My wife was considering changing her PCP and wanted to change to the same PCP as I (her husband) have. I would find that a little too close for comfort, an invasion of my patient/doctor relationship.

Does anyone agree or disagree, and why?

If you're a PCP, does it present issues/make you uncomfortable to treat spouses?

[Anonymous]

DH and I had the same old GP and switched to the same new GP. Neither one treated either of us as anything other than a single patient. I'm not sure they know that we're married, they don't act like it.

The pediatrician is different, knows and remembers siblings.

[Anonymous]

What difference does it make if you have the same doctor? Are you afraid they’ll spill your secrets to your spouse?

[Anonymous]

No way!! No how! DH knows better than to even suggest this

[Anonymous]

We have the same PCP. I don't think they know we are married - it's not like we are being examined together. We also have the same dentist. Beyond that I think we have different specialists - I have a dermatologist and and gynecologist; DH has a cardiologist and a urologist. Seems like a total non issue.

[Anonymous]

If you don't trust your doctor to respect your confidentiality, you should definitely find a different doctor.
In general spouses (or even entire families) seeing the same doctor isn't an issue.

[Anonymous]

My husband switched to my doctor after I had a severe virus and he was impressed with how she handled it. I have no concerns about confidentiality, she's a professional.

[Anonymous]

I think in many busy practices the doctor would not know you were a couple.

My husband and I went to the same PCP for years. She had a low key, not very busy practice. She definitely knew we were married, but never let it get in the way of treating each of us as an individual and respecting our privacy. She never betrayed confidences or discussed the other spouse’s medical issues.

[Anonymous]

Something is wrong with your marriage if that's how you think. My husband and I have the same PCP. It's a crazy busy multi-location practice yet she does know we are married and when she asks about lifestyle and environment related to my health his name comes up. She was his doctor first and I switched to her when I began seeing someone for annual physicals. There have only been benefits. My husband had a health crisis a few years ago and that could make him more at risk for COVID. I had my physical right before it all hit and we talked about what to do for my husband if he became symptomatic. There is no downside and I feel like our family is being cared for and not just treated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I had the same old GP and switched to the same new GP. Neither one treated either of us as anything other than a single patient. I'm not sure they know that we're married, they don't act like it.

The pediatrician is different, knows and remembers siblings.

I like sharing a pediatrician between kids. They catch stuff a new doctor might miss.

We have a single family dentist now that my youngest is 14. Older DD and I see the same gyn.

DH likes his PCP and I like mine. I can’t see us switching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something is wrong with your marriage if that's how you think. My husband and I have the same PCP. It's a crazy busy multi-location practice yet she does know we are married and when she asks about lifestyle and environment related to my health his name comes up. She was his doctor first and I switched to her when I began seeing someone for annual physicals. There have only been benefits. My husband had a health crisis a few years ago and that could make him more at risk for COVID. I had my physical right before it all hit and we talked about what to do for my husband if he became symptomatic. There is no downside and I feel like our family is being cared for and not just treated.

Uh no I don't think there is something wrong with OP's marriage for thinking this. It's great that having the same PCP works for you and your husband, but I'm in a good marriage and I have the same thought as OP. I would prefer that my DH see someone else besides my PCP.

[Anonymous]

It works for us. In fact, when I am seeing the doctor and we are catching up on medical/ lifestyle updates and news, I don't mind saying, "would you mention that to DH when you see him" if I think it's something he should hear from a medical professional.

[Anonymous]

This is not something that has even crossed my mind as being problematic from a relationship perspective or a doctor/patient perspective. I'm not even sure why you'd be concerned unless you don't trust your spouse or your doctor.

[Anonymous]

I did but then I left my wife. I asked my doctor if he was still comfortable with treating both of us and he said he was, but I thought he seemed hesitant and moved on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not something that has even crossed my mind as being problematic from a relationship perspective or a doctor/patient perspective. I'm not even sure why you'd be concerned unless you don't trust your spouse or your doctor.

This. We go to the same doctor. Why would that be an issue? DH has never come up during any of my appointments.