I know I'm to blame but I'm still upset

[Anonymous]

OP, that is outrageous. They sound like a terribly unprofessional practice if this is how they treat a new and clearly SICK patient! I would say send an e-mail or letter to the doctor, pointing out the hostility and unprofessionalism of her staff, but those reviews make it sound like she is almost as bad as they are. You probably dodged a bullet not seeing her. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

[Anonymous]

I don't blame you at all. From that rating site, she sounds horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have been having lots of stomach issues and have had difficulty functioning these past few weeks. Had to wait a few months to get in to see a doctor in town. After dropping my son off at daycare, and pulling over because I was dizzy on the way over, I arrived at my appointment 10 minutes late. The receptionist loudly and rudely told me that the doctor would not see me because I was late. I started to tear up (this has been a particularly craptastic year for me and I'm getting emotional on the ready) and asked if I could talk to the doctor directly, and explained why I was late. She told me that it wouldn't change anything so why bother but go ahead and to take a seat. The office manager pulls me back into her office and reiterates the secretary's rude message, with no compassion when I explain my symptoms. She then asks when I want to reschedule an appointment. I rip up the intake form and said I would never come back. So yeah, I know it was my fault for arriving late, and I get it.......but I still am upset for being treated so rudely.

A-fucking-men, sister! Never mind that the doctor will keep your ass waiting FOREVER with no explanation and not apologies, but heaven forbid you arrive late.

Might I suggest (unless you were seeing a specialist) that you just go to an urgent care? Or you might try the practice of Drs. Michael and Kerri Gray in Bethesda. They are both family practice/internists but they don't take patients and operate first come first served. If you can get there early in the morning you usually don't have to wait too long.

I just don't even bother going to my old GP anymore for the same reasons you are ranting about - long waits, rude staff, inane policies, etc etc etc.

[Anonymous]

^^BTW, Drs. Gray accept insurance, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think the way they treated you is inexcusable. There are enough doctors in the metro DC area to choose from; none of us have to put up with that kind of treatment. If I were you, I would definitely leave a negative comment, and if you are on Angie's List, leave one there, as well.

I agree with most of your post but not the enough doctors to go around part. This is definitely not the case for lots of specialties, and particularly for GP/family medicine. This is exactly why some docs think they can treat you like crap.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are looking for an endocrinologist - Natasa Janicic at Georgetown is great. It can take awhile to get in, but i bet if you explained that you are having dangerous/debilitating symptoms, they'd get you in quickly.

[Anonymous]

Best to report it to your insurance company. They consider it in determining whether to retain a physician in their plan, so the flip is that docs tend to be responsive when they learn of a report to the insurance company.

[Anonymous]

OP again....I can't thank everyone enough for taking the time to give me advice, support and recommendations. You have really turned my day around and I just wanted to express my appreciation

[Anonymous]

Another endo rec for you: James Ramey in the Farragut North area. Haven't been to him in years, but he is a wonderful,very thorough endo.

[Anonymous]

I Would call and ask for a return call by the doctor herself. Let her know what has happened and the actions you will be taking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best to report it to your insurance company. They consider it in determining whether to retain a physician in their plan, so the flip is that docs tend to be responsive when they learn of a report to the insurance company.

I never would have thought of this, but it's a good idea. I'm sorry for your experience. I really don't think 10 minutes is that late.

[Anonymous]

You're right to never go back there. On the rare occasions I have been late to Dr. appts, the doctor has always seen me with no problem. I used to work in Bethesda and my doctor's office was in Frederick. On a Friday afternoon I left work in what I thought was plenty of time to make my appt. I had a terrible sinus infection. There was an accident and I was late. I called the office they said they understood and would give me a 30 minute grace period. I end up having to call back because I still wasnt going to make it in time, the front desk told me to just get there as soon as I could. This is why I've never left this practice. Yes, I was the last person to be seen that day but when I need to be seen, they make sure I get in and treat me with respect and compassion. OP, run from that practice and never look back....

[Anonymous]

Seconding the comment that doctors often don't know how rude their office personnel can be. But to not see you if you were honestly 10 minutes late is insane. I have never heard of that happening to anyone, but I can believe anything when it comes to doctors office staff.

[Anonymous]

GO TO THE ER...and then get a referral to a gastro doctor...ur doctor won't see u because u are late because u almost passed out on the way to the appointment?
OUTRAGEOUS!

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one who calls a doctors office if I'm going to be late? I will call if there is ANY chance I will be late, be it 5 minutes, 10 or 15.

If I am late for an appointment I would not be surprised at all if I was not able to be seen. It's because of all the people with "emergencies" that make an office run an hour behind schedule.

I'm not saying the OP didn't have a valid reason for being late, but maybe if she called the office and let them know she was running a few minutes late it would have been different. Maybe there was a patient there who was early that could have been seen first.

Just a different opinion I guess.