Review of Jose Sarriera, MD - Orlando Health Cancer Institute…read more
I am extremely disappointed and disturbed by my experience with Jose Sarriera, MD. I want to specifically identify the physician involved because my concerns are about my personal interaction with Dr. Sarriera and should not reflect on other physicians or staff members who were not involved.
I attended an oncology appointment with someone I love who is battling multiple myeloma. I came prepared with legitimate questions about her treatment, progress, and future care. Instead of having a respectful conversation, I experienced Dr. Sarriera as dismissive, condescending, antagonistic, and lacking the compassion that I believe should be fundamental when dealing with cancer patients and their families.
While I was asking questions, Dr. Sarriera became visibly irritated, threw his hands up while speaking, and communicated with me in a manner I found extremely disrespectful. I specifically asked him not to speak to me that way.
What happened next was even more concerning. During this interaction, he told the patient that she could essentially receive treatment somewhere else. In my opinion, that is an unacceptable thing to say to a cancer patient in the middle of a disagreement involving questions about her medical care. Patients and their loved ones should be able to ask questions without feeling that doing so could threaten their relationship with their treatment team.
When I recognized that I was becoming angry with the way I was being treated, I made the decision to remove myself from the situation and leave the room. Rather than allowing me to simply walk away, Dr. Sarriera stood up, opened the door, and made a remark about helping me leave. I experienced his behavior as sarcastic and deliberately antagonistic at a moment when I was actively trying to de-escalate the situation.
What disturbed me most was the overall attitude I experienced. I walked away feeling as though questioning him was viewed as a challenge to his authority rather than a normal part of advocating for someone you love. No physician's credentials or position should place them above treating patients and their families with basic dignity and respect.
Medical knowledge is obviously essential in oncology, but so are compassion, patience, humility, communication, and professionalism. Cancer patients and their families are already dealing with fear, uncertainty, and tremendous emotional stress. They deserve an environment where they can ask difficult questions, seek clarification, and advocate for themselves without being belittled, antagonized, or made to feel unwelcome.
I have formally reported this interaction to management because I believe what occurred deserves to be reviewed.
This review represents my personal experience and observations during my interaction with Jose Sarriera, MD. Based on that experience, I cannot recommend him.