I agree with some of the reviews from previous years regarding the office staff at Potomac Physician Associates. However, now that Dr McNamara is part of Bethesda Physician Associates, an MDVIP practice, there is no comparison to the past. Now, if there is an issue, I usually get a callback from Dr McNamara within an hour or so. If I am sick, I can usually get a same day or next day appointment. The physical exam is comprehensive and is not rushed. I am highly satisfied with the change. The downside is that there is now an additional fee of $2,000 per year. However, I realize that in this age of managed care and insurance-driven health care, it has become necessary in order to get the care that I desire and expect. read more

I am writing on behalf of my mother, whom was a patient of Dr. McNamara's for close to 10 years. In June of 2015 she had a routine blood test and, after many months of reaching out to try to get the results, Dr. McNamara finally called her back and told her that "he didn't get paid to make phone calls." He then proceeded to tell her that her test results were fine; however, he was sure she needed to get back to her family as he needed to get back to his. I understand people have lives outside of their work; however, it should have never taken until October to hear back about something regarding her health, good or bad. He now works for MDVIP where patients pay extra money to have a doctor on call whenever they need them. I don't know about anyone else but, if I'm going to pay over $1000 extra to have a doctor there whenever I need him/her, I would want someone who really cares about the hospitality aspect of the medical field. I don't seem to be the only person who feels this way either. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. McNamara's for a number of years and have lived through his impossible patient workload at his previous medical practice to now, where he has joined a concierge group that limits the patient workload. He currently has the time to really practice on a personal level. I find him to be competent, up to date and very tailored when he addresses my health needs and situation. He is pro-active in suggesting improvements to my lifestyle that are very beneficial and is especially good with those of us who are a little older in terms of preserving our health and capabilities. I have had experience with numerous doctors over the years on the part of my wife, who has some vexing health issues, and Dr. McNamara is one of the best. read more

Dr. McNamara was my physician for a few years. He was recommended to me by a surgeon for a work-up prior to surgery. This was in the early 90s when Dr. M. still practiced at a two-doctor office on Shields Drive. His staff there seemed adequate to me, or at least I didn't have any major problems, except maybe for long waits a few times. Dr. McNamara himself seemed fabulous to me. He was attentive, a good listener, in tune with the latest knowledge, etc. etc. I suggested to my husband also going to Dr. McNamara and to a few friends as well, as I recall. All was well. However, at some point, Dr. McNamara joined Potomac Physician Associates, and that's when my experience started steadily worsening. There were many examples of plain incompetence: unreturned phone calls, mix-ups, rudeness, disorganization, inability to keep a record of patient requests, and the like. All of these bad experiences were with the staff, not Dr. McNamara himself, whom I continued to see as competent and attentive if (and that was a big IF) I was able to actually see or speak to him. One incidence of incompetent staff work, however, resulted in my complaint to the office manager, who was extremely rude and defensive. I don't know what conversations took place behind my back as a result (another fellow patient described the staff manner as "Byzantine," and it might be an apt description), but when I addressed the issue with Dr. McNamara, he became very defensive too. He admitted that the office maybe wasn't "perfect" and "needs work" but he never acknowledged that I was within my rights to bring up the problems or seek better staff service. In fact, Dr. M. hinted that since I was "unhappy" with them, I should consult another physician, which I eventually did. My husband, however, preferred to stay with Dr. McNamara as a force of habit, and because he valued him as a physician. This summer I needed to get in touch with Dr. McNamara concerning my husband's medical issues. I called the office and asked whether I could e-mail him, as I didn't see any e-mail address listed on the web site. I was told there is no e-mail (I wonder why) but that I could fax Dr. M. a note and he would get back to me. He never did. My fax was simply ignored or lost, and I know it got there because I have a fax confirmation. I then called the office twice and specifically asked Dr. McNamara to call me on my cell. He called my home number. Twice. I called the office again and spoke to Leanna (sp?), explaining that I was having "communication" difficulties, that my fax was ignored and I got two calls to my home number, where I specifically asked not to call because I am not there. Leanna's demeanor was very cavalier, and none of this seemed like a big deal to her. It didn't seem to occur to her that, perhaps, an apology might be appropriate. I then asked her whether she was aware how much patients complain online about the staff problems, and she said she had "no interest" in that. I repeated my question: does she not care that patients have expressed frustration with the staff, and she confirmed "that's right." So much for that. I then spoke to Dr. McNamara, probably for the last time. Again, he was defensive about the staff problems. He said that it was "frustrating" running "a big practice" and that if I had concerns about the organization and accuracy of test results, I should "take" my husband and go to a different practice with him. My husband is not a minor child. I cannot "take" him anywhere. And besides, is this a constructive way to address the issues? There are many people who complain about the staff. One fellow poster even called them "worse than bad." Is the best way of solving the problem by getting nasty to the person who brings it up? Even if I respect Dr. McNamara's clinical abilities, I believe this behavior lessens his effectiveness as a physician and my opinion of him as a medical professional. I also feel that because Dr. McNamara was angry and frustrated about the staff issues during this last conversation, he gave the actual medical problems I wanted to discuss a short rift. He was impatient; he would give short, snippy responses like "there is nothing you can do about that" before I even got to explain what "that" was, and seemed genuinely uninterested in helping me and my husband. This is really troubling because Dr. McNamara can sound like a caring doctor, so it seems that he is caring only when no criticism is directed at him or his staff. Discussions of medical issues and resulting treatment recommendations should be uneffected by doctors' sensitivity to criticisms of his staff. Very sad. read more

After meeting Dr. McNamara at least 10 years ago, he has been my primary physician ever since. He continues to provide excellent medical services & guidance. He has also strived to improve the administrative staff procedures & performance & I strongly commend him (and the other professionals at Potomac Physician Associates). In fact, I have been a patient at their Bethesda & Germanton offices & have witnessed several significant improvements in their admin procedures & communications. That's not to say the automated phone system is the greatest, but that appears to be an issue with most businesses... However, when you reach an operator, the message now gets delivered in as most timely manner. Dr. McNamara has great talent, education, concern & dedication and I would strongly recommend him without any hesitation. In addition, the two other physicians that treated me when Dr. McNamara was not immediately available were also very good. In my opinion, Dr. McNamara would not work with a group that accepted physicians that are less than excellent. read more

My husband and I have used Dr. McNamara for many years and have always had his utmost attention. He became increasingly busy through the years and it bothered him a great deal that he could not spend as much time with patients as he would have liked. He is now in a better position to do that. He is a wonderful doctor and cares a great deal about his patients. read more

If you want a doctor that still truly cares and is not treating you as a widget in a large practice, then in my opinion Dr. McNamara is not for you. read more

Great doctor with good attitude and a lot of patience. I have used his services for many years and I am very happy with the care.

I definitely won't be seeing this guy ever again. I typically see Dr. Karp who is also a physician at Potomac Physicians Associates. While their office may be poorly run and their staff might be rude, Dr. Karp is top notch! But back to the story at hand. I recently had to have my gallbladder removed rather unexpectedly. Upon being discharged from the hospital, I was prescribed the antibiotic Augmentin. After 3 days of taking it, I broke out in a horrible rash all over my body. Benadryl wasn't cutting it and it continued to worsen so I decided to try and see Dr. Karp. Of course she was completely booked but Dr. McNamara had two or three openings for the same day. I figured why not, its a simple rash, easy enough to handle. Well, I arrived on time and proceeded to sit and wait for 30 minutes before he came into the exam room. Once he did enter, he thought he was quite the comedian and I thought rather flippant about my situation. It was just a simple rash (meanwhile I am scratching every layer of skin off that I have) and that I just needed to give the Prednisone he prescribed time to work. Fine, whatever, I will make it work and had that been all that occurred during the appointment I wouldn't be writing this review. However when he insulted me not once but TWICE by referring to me as a "big girl", that is where I draw the line. Now I know I am not stick thin and need to lose some weight. I also know that I can be sensitive about the topic (most women are), but I am pretty sure my weight wasn't what I was there to see him about nor did it have any relevance to the topic of conversation. The first time he said I was a "big girl" I took it in stride and decided it was just an inappropriate comment or that I was being overly sensitive. Then at one point the topic of who did my gallbladder surgery came up. When provided with the doctor's name, he said "oh yes he hangs around the hospital to pick-up work. Guess he needs the money." What?? How very odd to talk about a fellow professional like that in front of a patient. Then my husband (who was with me) made mention that my surgeon is such a tall big man. Dr. McNamara then proceeded to say "well since you are such a big girl, it wasn't a problem handling his big hands." WHAT???? I was so upset by the end of the appointment, I walked out without checking out. (I had already paid my co-pay.) I have recently lost 30 lbs and was feeling rather proud of it. This jerk temporarily knocked me down a peg or two because he can't act professional and treat patients with respect. I won't let him get me down though, but if you are reading this, you have been warned. There are much more professional and caring doctors beside Dr. McNamara out there who deserve your co-pay. read more