I decided, for the first time ever, to write a note to a PA and leave it at their facility. I have seen this man (who is NOT a doctor, just a physicians assistant — which I was not aware of--) twice for two different problems. Both times I was extremely dissatisfied with his care. I felt he should know this. ANY doctor who undoubtedly lacks patient care should know how their actions are affecting their patients.

To Assistant Physician T (not putting his full name),

I will never know if you read this letter in its entirety, but that is a risk I am willing to take when using my precious free time to sit and openly express how utterly disappointed I am.

I am not an object, a number, or just some name on a roll sheet. Every person that comes into your assigned room should automatically be treated like a member of your family. We should be given the same level of kindness, understanding, and compassion that you would show to a loved one. Conversely, all I felt was like a telemarketer that you couldn’t wait to get off of your case. I had about 5 minutes of your time, of which was less than considerate or professional. My money was wasted that day. I would have been better off Googling my symptoms than spending that morning getting spoken down to in your care.

I wasn’t sure if I was the only patient who felt this way about your facility. Low and behold, out of 5 stars, your facility holds a lowly 1.7 star rating. 10 out of 12 people gave it a 1 star. This did not shock me, but it greatly angered me that so many unsatisfied patients took the time to write out their grievances and STILL nothing has been done to rectify their justified complaints. You carry on with the same amount of hubris and lack of bettering yourselves simply because you are still employed and therefore have no drive for improvement.

I truly believe you should take a good, hard look in the mirror. What you see is a human, just like the rest of us. You are no better than I. When I came into your room and stated that I had Red Skin Syndrome and I could not use any form of steroid or else it would harm me, you quickly admitted that you were very familiar with RSS and didn’t need to be educated on it. However, after your fishy diagnosis, you smugly stated that if your treatment didn’t work, I would need to come in and be prescribed steroids. If you are such a well-trained and educated PA, you would NEVER have said that to me nor in such a distasteful manner. No one NEEDS steroids unless it is a life-or-death situation. My minimal problem didn’t mean I needed to endanger myself simply because you don’t have a good enough eduction on the subject and could not simply take the time to diagnosis me correctly.

It is this kind of treatment that turns patients away. A patient will not respect you if you do not respect the patient. A patient will not trust you if you are untrustworthy. That is earned, not a special entitlement simply because you don a white coat.

My life was in your hands. As trivial as you may see my situation, that does not give you the right to slack off at your job. I will not be returning to your facility because of you, and I want you to know that. I am sure other patients have never come back because of the same disdain I now carry for your lack of patient care.

Having a prescription pad is not enough to be a good doctor or PA. Give patients the time and care they deserve. Don’t just take a guess at what is wrong and send them on their way but actually take the time and figure out a true diagnosis with them.

It is a privilege to be in your position, but does not give you the right to abuse your authority and power over helpless patients. I don’t need a medical degree to understand how foolishly you have been practicing medicine. We are NOT your guinea pigs that you can treat so indifferently but then take no responsibility for the repercussions of your actions.

I took the time to write this because I care about other people who are suffering. I hope you can share that same care one day towards the same individuals I am fighting to protect.

Briana

P.S. Your diagnosis was incorrect, and I didn’t need steroids to fix my situation.

Love, B. R. Wren