Worst Medical Provider Experience in over six decades...
In…read morean effort to comprehend the lack of direction in my current, however long-term, neurological care and following four weeks of leaving numerous unanswered messages at Dr. Carlile's office, I drove 45 minutes to his office. Instead of receiving the reportedly anticipated diagnosis of four weeks prior, I was told that my numerous telephone messages had been mistakenly routed to the voicemail of an ex-employee. I further learned that the obstacle to my diagnosis lay in an insufficient blood draw of early May. However, it remains unclear why I was never informed. I left the office for a second blood draw at the nearby Palmetto Primary Care Physicians North Charleston facility. Subsequent to a 40-minute wait, I was called by the phlebotomist. As she prepared to initiate the draw, I queried if the draw required fasting. My orders were checked and it was determined that a fasting draw was required. I'm glad that I asked that question or this review would be even worse. I travelled the 45 minutes back to my home and returned to the draw center several days later for a presumably successful blood draw. Seven weeks passed with no contact regarding the results of the second blood draw results, which I was told would take a few days at most. I finally gave up on Dr. Carlile's office and telephoned Palmetto Primary Care Physicians draw center. Explaining that I still awaited the results of a blood draw of seven weeks prior, I verified that the blood work had been processed and the results sent to Dr. Carlile. I was informed that someone from Dr. Carlile's office, as well as the Patient Advocate of the draw center would follow-up with me. The following day, I spoked with the Palmetto Primary Care Physicians Charleston Neurology Associates office manager. At that time, I learned that once again the blood draw was somehow problematic and that a third blood draw would be necessary. Again, I was never notified! When I expressed my ongoing dissatisfaction with a total lack of communications or forward movement toward a diagnostic resolution, ongoing over the prior seven months, the completely unapologetic office manager became unprofessionally belligerent, sarcastic, and argumentative. I have never had any past problems with my blood draws or in obtaining results. This office manager, completely lacked any outward demonstration of compassion toward understanding my weeks of physical pain and frustration in my almost fifteen-year journey to further investigate my numerous neuropathies. Additionally, in spite of multiple telephone calls and the multiple promises that an expected telephone call from the blood draw center Patient Advocate would occur, no attempts have has been recorded.
Subsequent to many delays, originating with what may appear to be Dr. Carlile's support staff and/or the Palmetto Primary Care Physicians group, my seven-month journey with this organization has been a virtual waste of my time, resources, and Medicare benefits. The hope towards a better understanding and/or abatement to my almost constant pain has vanished. Understandably, I have lost confidence in this provider's abilities to deliver any future personal medical care. Sadly, this experience has not bolstered my confidence in traditional Western medical practices.
