I originally started coming here because I thought it would be great to have a doctor who would be able to see my children as well as my husband and myself. Within 6 months I was looking for another practice for my children. We were making somewhat regular visits as having three young children means a lot of sick visits during flu season and many well visits. My husband and I had not yet found a new doctor as we don't have to come in regularly and it dropped in priority for us.
The doctors here are ok. Nothing absolutely spectacular, but they seemed to do a relatively good job.
The staff here is a different story all together. They seem to forget that they are apart of a business, and the only reason why they have jobs is because their office has patients. Unfortunately, there is no way of scheduling an appointment, or any way to come into the office without interacting with them in some way. If they aren't running behind (I usually block TWO HOURS to come here and even then there is NO guarantee that you will be seen in even that amount of time. I have seen people walk out!), they are being snippy and nasty. From co-pays, to scheduling future appointments, to form pick ups, you are treated like you are an inconvenience and an hindrance to them. I have NEVER left that office with a good, or even a neutral, feeling.
On top of it, there is a huge lack of communication between the doctors and staff. For instance, one time I had scheduled two appointments because by some miracle both of my children needed a well visit at the same time. The doctor said she would be happy to see both children at once. When I arrived, the office staff absolutely REFUSED to allow both of my children to see the doctor. By her reasoning, I should sit and wait for my first appointment with my two very young children (which was at least an hour behind), then leave the room, wait another 45 min to an hour until the next appointment, and see the doctor again. She then informed me that they "never" schedule one patient for two appointment blocks because someone else may need to make an appointment. Not for a sick visit, mind you. Just someone may have called up between when I made the appointment and the appointment time for a visit. EXCUSE ME? I AM PAYING YOU MONEY. What does it matter? I am fine if that is office policy, but maybe they should inform their doctors. Or maybe the doctors should inform the staff that it is not unusual for a doctor to see two young children back to back!
What put the final nail in the coffin for my husband and I was when we called after hours. I have been on medications for 7 months for a concussion, occipital neuralgia, etc. I have been having horrible congestion and was in need of contacting the doctor to insure that there would be no interactions between my medications and a decongestant. Apparently my call in to the office wasn't enough "after hours" because instead of being put through to the doctors (who have always been happy to help if someone in our family was in a considerable amount of discomfort or pain), instead I was put through to the staff who proceeded to chastise me for calling. After being scolded like a child, I was then put through to a nurse who picked up the whip where the receptionist had put it down. Along with her scolding, she also scoffed at me for going a week with sinus pressure and not making an appointment to be seen. Can you blame me? Why would I want to make an appointment to go in to see them unless it can't be absolutely avoided? So now I am in pain from my "normal" chronic condition, I am in additional pain from my "potential" sinus infection, and I am absolutely humiliated.
What would you suggest that I do? Google it? Go to the ER and wait 4 hours and ask them?
If you are looking for an office with a caring and sensitive staff who at least *act* like they care about their patients as people, then look elsewhere. You will feel like nothing more than a medical file here. A dusty one from waiting. You are better going to a walk-in clinic. read more
