I've been experiencing severe side effects from a new drug, which has become the epicenter of a national debate among physicians, public, and the FDA. I'm truly scared of my condition, and don't know how I'm going to fix this chronic illness - I'm in pain every day, all the time.
In the midst of horrible symptoms, along with the fact that I'm a foreign living alone in the US, I sought out a referral from my health insurance, which provides great coverage btw. They mentioned this gentleman who, in the opinion of a humble scientist by education and professional by need, provided the worst consultation I have ever had, including dentists, attorneys, architects, contractors, etc, and etc.
To start, he wasn't rude to me, just because I didn't let him be. At the first condescending comment he snapped, I had to "raise" the tone to manage his manner. However, I couldn't prevent him from making weird looks (on purpose) hinting that my accent could in some extent, interfere in our communication. He did a great job on faking a heavy native-speaker accent, so along with the weird looks he could establish superiority dynamic, or so he thought. He is utterly rude and racist, in San Francisco, CA, 2014.
Not to be unfair, he simply does not know what is going on in the field. He is just outdated. For this article's sake, just be aware of him. Come on! The drug I'm taking has been on national spot since it was released and he could say the name, even after I spelled it out?! (well, maybe that was fault of my accent).
However, the best was yet to come (at this point I hadn't completely lost faith in him). He waves me to halt, dials a pharmacist, who sounded to be his assistant or business partner, and begins a consultation over the phone!!! He starts to ask about conversion tables and equivalency with other drugs. He even requests recommendation on treatments, sharing my condition, in front me, the patient. Information that I had obtained on the internet even before I started to take the medication.
And the absurdity continues on. Even before I could put my thoughts together about the "options" for treatment he was describing, he goes: "...who said I going to treat you?". Can you possibly believe a health care professional saying such a thing? He claims to be a MD and treats me like that?
Seriously, he goes: "You can do (a), (b), or (c)". Then I verbalize: "Well, it seems we can start with (a). He responds: "I don't do (a)". "Well, maybe (b)?". His answer again: "You can't do (b) in the office!". My last hope goes:"Ok, than (c)?". He kills it:"For (c) you have to find somewhere else."
Then I gracefully try to minimize my loss and get some information, referral, phone number, he cuts me off to request my health insurance card, makes copies, throws it across the table, and demands $40. Can one believe that?
As I write, in painful and hopeless condition, I'm confused. I went to see a doctor, who didn't give me a diagnostic, exam, treatment, anything. And I gave him $40, on top of approximately $ 150 from the insurance. Is that how is supposed to be? read more