This was the first Rheumatologist I've ever seen. I've lived with chronic pain for years, and as I get older its worsening. I was honest with my amazing PCP about this pain and after a lot of tests he happily referred me to rheumatology. I was scheduled to be seen rather quickly which I was surprised and happy about. But when my appointment started I immediately understood why. First and foremost let me say the receptionist was very friendly and the ladies in the lab WERE AWESOME, the highlight of the visit honestly. I was seen by Doctor Gay. I mildly panicked when I realized he was an older white man, but decided not to assume it would go poorly just based on his age or race, or past experiences with older male white doctors. The entire appointment felt rushed, like he didn't understand why I was there, almost as if I was lying, he repeated the same questions over and over again with different wording, I don't know if this is normal practice. But it seemed as though he was trying to trip me up? With the amount of body parts I have issues with it's hard to accurately share information about them when you are being berated. It seemed like he didn't even glance at my chart before speaking with me. Every time I mentioned a test or diagnoses, he hit me with, "and who told you that?". And for the CHERRY on top, he finished the appointment with, "It seem like you have a lot problems, I don't know how to say this nicely, but your weight will affect your inflammatory markers". If not for the ladies at the lab I would have left in tears. While checking out I did shed a few, I asked the receptionist if there were other Rheumatologist's on staff possibly a woman? She said yes, but that they do not swap patients. Which is completely absurd. I told her I did not want to see Dr. Gay again. She was apologetic but still repeated their no switching policy back to me. Chronic pain sucks, but not as much as being medically gaslit does. If you're on this type of journey, read the reviews, research your doctors, and do not waste your time at this place.
Today I've never walked out wanting to tear up until now. I've been with this place for a few years now. Staff great, my doctor I struggle with. Today, my doctor completely rocked back and forth in his chair, I feel like he never knows what preventive care we tried in the past and never looks at you when he talks. He's always asking me what Ive tried or how it works. Its as if he never has notes of our past visits or courses of action weve tried. If he does, it's short. It's like your a number on a chart and nothing else. I did ask to see if I could change doctors and they said usually we don't. Who you get assigned to is who you have. They did at least offer to ask.
I arrived 7 minutes late for my first appointment. I looked at my watch as I walked in the door. The office was not easy to find. I had completed my paperwork prior to arriving, paid my copay and checked in, only to find out 10 minutes later in the waiting room that I would not be seen. It was an hour and a half round trip that I left work early to make. Never have I been to a health “care” facility that seemed to care so little. Maybe they are on a tight schedule, but the lack of flexibility especially 7 minutes for patients traveling a significant distance seems arbitrary.
I have tendonitis and sinus tarsis syndrome so I am walking with a boot on my foot and walking with a cane!! I had to drive myself because I had no one else to do so. I get to the office which was hard to find. Google maps shows a different location when you use it so I called the office and they gave me directions. My appointment was at 2:00. I get there and the lady asked me if I had paperwork and I told her no and gave her the phone number and my address. She said we cannot see you past 5 minutes and you didn't fill the paperwork out . I asked her what time was it. She said 2:08. She said well just let me see and walked to the back. So I waited for about 3 to 5 minutes and I finally told the other girl who was also behind the receptionist desk that it was ok and I POLITELY told her I was just going to leave. She said ok have a nice day. This was unacceptable!! Who would do such a thing to someone who is having trouble waking. I TRIED to get there on time considering the state I was in! I have fibromyalgia and arthritis ,walking with a cane and boot on my foot and you do something to someone like that! I am just appalled by this! I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else!! Just unprofessional!!
The office manager runs an overly tight ship that does not seek to provide care but rather hinder it. I understand that some things must be strictly followed in an office to keep it running smoothly BUT when a patient begs to switch doctors and is told it is against practice procedure, this is not about putting care first. I was assigned Dr. Patel who said the pain I was experiencing would be alleviated with weight loss and then after I pushed he agreed that injection medication would be allowed. I do not need a doctor telling me that my pain will go away with weight loss. That isn't disease management. Every time my arthritis flares I have to take time off work to manage my pain because I refuse to be berated by someone who is supposed to be providing care for me. If I could switch doctors I would consider staying but not when patient concerns that have been voiced to the office manager go unchecked. They simply just don't care.
After it taking 6 months to even get an appointment: The beginning process was wondering, the office was extremely nice and everyone talked to me, I met with DR. Bravo, I like him and thought he was knowledgeable. But the appointment felt extremely rushed, instead of being given paperwork or information on what they thought I might have, I was told to research it myself, and I didn’t really care for that. The lab team was hilarious and took their time with me. Afterwards, checking out I felt rushed out the door, was given no updates on what I needed to do next. All and all I’ll give them another shot, Hope it doesn’t take another 6 months for an appointment.
Waste of time , my family doctor was more informative and helpful. It seem like the doctor was slightly anoyed at me asking questions and the answers were short . I was supposed to get my results back today with a call and get a prescription . After waiting for their call that never happened ,I called and of course they were closed early.
After a 40 minute drive, Including traffic on the interstate 40 in a tropical storm, we had to find an unmarked building with their directions. Because of covid, I had my temperature taking each time in each building. When I entered the 2nd building, mostly dentists, I asked and was showed the stairs. I need to take the elevator, so another person redirected me to the elevator, which has an L and a U. Luckily, after a few seconds of guessing, U stood for upper. I'm not sure why it isn't labeled 2. When I arrived at a desk outside of the Rheumatology office, my temperature was retaken. Then a random lady wrote my temperature down on a sticky note to give the receptionist, followed by giving her my information. She then told me the doctor has a 5-minute window. My appt was at 1 pm; after the obstacles I had to get through, it was 1:07, two minutes after. They would not accept me. The receptionist was friendly, but two minutes past a five-minute window. Ridiculous. Possibly have a number to call once you find the building so you are checked in from the call, and the temperature is taken once the patient is inside like most doctor Offices. That may cut 5 minutes out of the process. Plus, cut out all the confusion. Maybe they need to be a little more clear and understanding. Very disappointing.
I drove an hour yesterday, 12/7 for my appointment. I was in the building at my appointment time of 9:20 a.m. Upon arriving, my nervous stomach was killing me so I had to stop by the restroom before I went upstairs to check in. I have IBS and traveling can upset my stomach sometimes, or if I'm nervous about lab work. The receptionist was extremely rude with me and told me I was late and would not be seen. I attempted to explain why it took me until 9:27 to get to her desk. She wouldn't let me finish my sentence. She heard upset stomach and basically accused me of having Covid. "They will not see you with you showing symptoms." I wasn't showing any symptoms. I told her I drove an hour in an active flare up, mind you, to be sent out to my car. They had Lizz Soto call me by phone. I was in very severe pain and distressed with my nerves by this point. A doctor or P.A. cannot accurately diagnose and treat by phone. By the end of the call, I was referred to pain management, something I don't want. I want answers to my illnesses. I want a quality of life. You are only a number in this office and they get you in and out. Very disappointed. I'll be taking my rheumatology issues elsewhere. Very disgusted. No compassion. No professionalism.
Doctor Bravo is a very quiet, unassuming man.He has a heart of gold and he really has helped me a lot. Wouldn't think of going anywhere else. I sat in the waiting room maybe 3 minutes and also short wait in room to see him. Best doctor visit in a long time. Staff was great also
