Need advice on whether or not to switch doctors before applying to SSDI

My family and I are considering applying for SSDI for my mom, and I wanted some advice. For context, my mom is a 62 year-old immigrant with limited English, a middle school education, doesn't understand technology (she still doesn't understand how to text), and has worked a blue collar job for about 40 years. She worked at the same cannery for 35 years until a work injury in 2023. She had a workers’ comp case that settled in 2025, but the settlement wasn’t great compared to her previous income and now she has to pay for her own health insurance. Since the injury, she’s been left with chronic pain in her back, shoulders, ribs, knees, and legs.

Her most recent PCP visit raised some concerns for me. She’s been seeing this doctor for 3–4 years, and her pain from the work injury is well-documented in her after visit summaries. However, her PCP has mostly just ordered physical therapy and x-rays, without seeming to fully consider her medical history or the ongoing impact of her injury and we would have to remind her that my mom is still in pain.

During the most recent visit, I explained that my mom used to be able to lift 50 lbs before her injury and didn’t have limited mobility. When I mentioned that we’re thinking about applying for long-term disability and asked for help filling out a physical assessment residual form, the doctor got defensive. She asked repeatedly, “Are you saying she can’t work a desk job?” I explained that my mom has only ever worked physical labor jobs and doesn’t know how to use technology, but the PCP replied with, "No I understand that but are you saying that she can't work a desk job?" She also asked, “I don't understand why she is so tired all the time. Why is she so tired?” My mom and I told her that we don't know. And after taking a look at her chart, she saw that her thyroid labs haven't been ordered in a couple years and re-ordered it. Then she ended the visit by saying that she doesn't feel comfortable with filling out the physical assessment residual at this time and can consider it in her next visit in three months.

Ever since that visit, I noticed that once I mentioned SSDI, the PCP suddenly became more proactive like following up with her physical therapist, ordering an MRI, and suggesting referrals to specialists. But when I reviewed the after visit summary, it felt less detailed than usual; it only listed the action plan without noting what was discussed during the visit.

I’m happy her PCP is taking more action now, but it feels like she wasn’t fully invested until disability was mentioned. I’m considering switching my mom to a new PCP who is more empathetic, wants to understand her full medical history, including during her workers’ comp case, and have a clear, detailed treatment plan.

I'm considering switching my mom's PCP but I’m worried that SSDI might see switching doctors as a red flag. Should my mom switch PCPs or should we stick with her current PCP? If we should switch, is there any advice on how to find a good provider? We're currently in Northern California and I've found that a lot of the doctors in the central valley area is not great compared to the Bay Area. Any advice is appreciated!