I was a patient of Dr. B's for over 4 years. In that time, I was always on time, never missed an…read moreappointment, stayed on top of his occasionally forgotten or erroneous prescriptions, and complied with any changes to their practices, care, and paperwork. In May of this year, I lost my mom, and have been struggling more that usual. The doc was very aware of this. For that reason, for the first time ever, I forgot to schedule my most recent recurring appointment. I received zero phone calls, zero reminders, zero communication from the office whatsoever that I was due or overdue for my next visit - and then out of the blue received a TEXT message that because I have "missed several appointments" (not true - I had simply forgotten to schedule my next visit, not missed an actual appointment) I am no longer welcome as a patient and that "Dr. B has discharged you from his care."
When trying to reach them for further clarification, they rejected my calls.
A psychiatrist carries the safety of some of the most vulnerable patients in our population. People at risk for self harm, deep depression, or struggles with other disorders that put them at increased risk of danger to themselves or others. In many cases, their psychiatrist is their only point of safety and security during the worst time in their lives. Dr Bircea used his medical license and power to take that away from me, mid-care, mid-crisis, simply because I was late in scheduling my next appointment. The abandonment been devastating for me, and I cannot understate the long term effects this will have. In my case, it's too late to repair the damage, but I want to urge you all to seek care elsewhere to avoid this happening to you as well. I hope both current and future patients read this and think twice about continuing or beginning care with Dr. Bircea.
Lastly, I want to add (before the office responds to this with any comments) to anyone who wonders how this office handles patient care in general outside of this callous act of abandonment, you need only look across the platforms at the various replies by the receptionist to other complaints. They are defensive, insulting, patient blaming, and even go so far as to say that the patient is "not deserving of Dr. B's care." I believe these replies speak volumes to the general lack of empathy, professionalism, and recognition of the field of medicine that they practice in.