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Review content:
I will try to be diplomatic by first listing the positive. Dr. Phelps-Sandall is a good surgeon. She was recently my surgeon on a major procedure, and she did the job well. She also came highly recommended by other doctors, so she also appears to be competent in her field.
Unfortunately, I found that her general manner was off-putting and rude. The office staff was worse, making each experience there very unpleasant. I felt that it was hard getting her to share any information with me (even when I was about to undergo major surgery), and then was treated like an idiot when I asked questions. For example, I was told to go in for an HSG procedure, and she barely told me anything about what I should expect. I asked her, ""Will I be able to do this on my lunch hour and then go back to work afterward?"" Her response was, ""You are NOT the first woman to ever undergo this. You will be fine."" An insulting response to what I thought was a legitimate question. As we were wrapping up the appointment, I had to ask if there was anything I needed to do to prepare for the procedure. I was surprised to hear that yes, I needed to go pick up a prescription. Would she have told me this if I had not asked? By the way, part of the prescription was for Vicodin that I should be taking before and after the procedure (leaving me unable to drive to work. Hmm, didn't I ask something about that?). In summary, I learned more about what to expect during the procedure from the pharmacist than from her.
The rude responses continued throughout the year: I began miscarrying (for a second time) during the day while my husband was unable to be reached, and desparately called the office to ask what I should do. They put me through to her assistant and her response to my choked up, ""I think I'm having another miscarriage,"" was, ""You can't make that diagnosis without a doctor."" Long pause... I had to ask her if I should come in to see the doctor. She said that the doctor was really busy, and if I was miscarrying there was really nothing they could do about it. In conclusion, I did end up going in and was put into an exam room and left completely alone and unattended to for over an hour! Yes, I knew the doctor was busy, but not one person came in to so much as offer me a tissue as a lay there crying hysterically. Once the doctor did enter the room, she was completely cold and added that there was even less hope for future success now that I was miscarrying a second time.
There were comments such as when asked if a hard lump in my abdomen was of any concern, and she responded with, ""Well, some of the lumpiness in your abdomen is just from you."" Wow, thank you for your medical diagnosis that I could stand to do some ab crunches. I had no idea!
I also never seemed to get any follow-up when I was promised a call from her office. Every time I was told that someone would be calling me with results, etc., I ended up having to call them.
In addition, the doctor seemed to forget things previously discussed. Since we were having fertility issues, the doctor would discuss our next plan of action, however, during my next visit when I would ask about the timeline of this, she would act as if I had just said something crazy and say that it wasn't necessary. It was her idea that I was repeating!
My final straw before leaving for another doctor was when I was rehospitalized for a complication days after my surgery. This complication may not have directly been her fault, but the fact that I was given no information (again) on post-surgery care at home, and some very simple steps could have been taken to prevent this complication WAS her fault. Her treatment plan was, ""Let's just wait and see what happens."" Finally, on day 6 of no success from this plan (surprise), we requested another doctor. Miraculously, once an actual plan of treatment was given, I was well enough to go home the next day.
Pros: Competent Doctor
Cons: No Bedside Manner
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