I have never met Dr. Friedrich Boettner. This review is based upon telephone conversations with the…read moreDoctor and two members of his office staff. The calls were made in order to set up an appointment. It turned out that, as a result of these conversations, I decided not to see Dr. Boettner, and gave him one star.
Over the preceding ten months, I had been evaluated and treated for hip and knee pain by two orthopedic surgeons. Both diagnosed my condition as osteoarthritis. Recently, I decided to seek a another opinion. Dr. Boettner was recommended by a family friend. I went online and looked at a large number of his ratings and reviews, including 17 on Google. Almost all raters and reviewers gave him five stars.
On October 2, 2019, I called Dr. Boettner's office. The woman (referred to as "A" below) who answered the phone spoke in a flat, detached and somewhat unwelcoming tone. She informed me that, prior to making an appointment, I would need to answer a number of questions in order for Dr. Boettner to decide whether he would accept me as a patient. Once the questions were answered, "A" said that, in addition to my responses, the doctor would have to see prior x-rays documenting my condition. This was where things began to go wrong. Just to be certain, I asked "A" whether a CD containing the x-ray images would be acceptable. (A CD is the customary medium via which such images are shared between physicians). I was told that a CD was not acceptable. I was puzzled by this response, so I asked "A" whether she meant that I had to send the actual x-ray film. She replied in the affirmative.
I then called one of the orthopedists who had previously evaluated me and spoke with a member of the doctor's administrative staff. I told her what "A" had said, and she expressed surprise because, to her knowledge, x-ray studies were almost always sent via CD. I called Dr. Boettner's office and left a voicemail. Late the next morning, since I had not received a return call, I called the office again and spoke with someone other than "A". I shall refer to her as "B". I explained the reason for my call. After telling "B" the outcome of the previous day's conversation with "A", she informed me that I could, in fact, send my X-rays via CD.
In view of the lack of clear, unambiguous agreement between "A" and "B" with respect to what Dr. Boettner required, I felt the need to speak with him directly. I asked "B" if I could do so. She told me that the doctor was not available. I then told "B" that I would like to leave him a message. "B" asked me what the message was about. I gave her a very general answer. She replied that this was inadequate and that I needed to be more specific. I was becoming frustrated and annoyed by this intrusive "interrogation". So, in an attempt to provide another reason for my needing to speak with Dr. Boettner, I told "B" that I was reluctant to divulge potentially sensitive medical information over the phone. "B", sounding somewhat confused, put me on hold. A few minutes later, "A" came on the phone. She asked me what the problem was and I explained it. After some more back-and-forth, she reluctantly stated that she would give my message to Dr Boettner.
On the following day, October 3, 2019, I received a call from Dr. Boettner at 9:53 P.M. I was busy at the time and did not answer. I called him back at 1017 PM. Dr. Boettner answered the phone in a gruff, irritated tone of voice. I began to state my concerns about his office staff's apparent confusion regarding the format in which he wished X-rays to be sent to him. He interrupted me in mid-sentence and appeared about to lose his temper. Raising his voice, he stated loudly and angrily that I was wasting his time with "administrative" issues. I was shocked and completely taken aback his grossly inappropriate behavior and informed him that I would not be using his services. He acknowledged this statement gruffly and terminated the call.
I am a Doctor of Medicine, Board-certified in a specialty other than Dr. Boettner's. I have been in practice for forty years and can't recall ever being treated in such an egregiously rude, disrespectful and abusive manner by a fellow physician.
