<human>: I see a kidney specialist that works in a small practice in my small town. I am experiencing some frustration with some communication barriers with the doctors of the practice. In working with the nephrologist, they hold a very friendly outward demeanor, but the appointment times are 3-4 minutes at most.  Predictably, while they do provide some discreet answers to the questions that they are presented with. The discussion does not have a strong conversational quality. After years of seeing them once a year, I still lack a good conceptual grasp on what my diagnosis means, or what my future looks like and why. Why my tests are abnormal - if they are in fact abnormal?  Each year, I walk away from the annual  3 minute encounter feeling buttered up and empty handed.  

Obviously, I envision myself as holding the ultimate accountability for my treatment and would like to be treated as a partner. I suspect that this is different from the typical model that the practice is used to (perhaps). In past instances where multiple specialists have had to consult in my care, some of the providers have indirectly insinuated that the nephrologist is not as engaged as he needs to be to provide a standard level of care. 

In an effort to correct the information asymmetry, I have had some thoughts of having a consult with one of the doctors at the university hospital a few towns over. However, because dialysis, is performed locally, I would need to maintain a strong relationship with my nephrologist. 

I am not sure how to approach this?

Can you succinctly summarize the text in 1-3 sentences?
<bot>: I have a friendly doctor that is not working out, I would like to consult with another doctor without damaging my relationship with the first ?