Patients gain, and maybe lose, as doctors consolidate

Loyal as 49-year-old Sharon Evanchuck of Saddle Brook was to her family doctor of 25 years, the security and personal touch that an old-fashioned solo practice can offer was becoming outweighed by the reality of modern medical times. Evanchuck did some research and switched to a large medical group – Bergen Medical Associates in Paramus and Emerson – and picked a doctor a friend and recommended. "I loved her. And the practice is one-stop shopping," she said. "They have cardiologists, they have gastroenterologists. I have to schedule a colonoscopy and now, all I have to do is walk down the hall. Plus there's no wait time."