I'm still shocked at this phone call I got a few hours ago. Ten o'clock this morning, this gastroenterologist, Cohen, calls me up at my home to rip me a new asshole for standing him up. How dare I not show up and not have the decency to call. I tell him I most certainly did call, at eight, and I left a message. With whom, he demands. On the answering machine, I tell him. Not to be deterred, he berates me about how inconsiderate it is to cancel the day of a procedure, holding up all the other patients, etc. I let him know that I didn't forsee having a chest cold today. He blusters a thank you and hangs up.
Really!
So I am standing there with this phone wondering what the hell just went on. I had left full details in my message about the chest cold and germs and being sorry to cancel on such short notice, and wanting to be sure to do so properly, not leaving anyone hanging. That's all in the message. I had even left my phone number twice in case they had any questions.
So I'm wondering what to do next. What bureau do you call to report this kind of abuse? I think about calling my primary care clinic, to speak to the doctor who recommended this fellow and tell him he shouldn't recommend this guy anymore.
I'm still holding the paper with the phone number when the phone rings again. This time it's someone from Cohen's staff, saying she got my cancellation message and would I like to reschedule.
I just can not believe this. I tell her most absolutely not, there's no way I'd see anyone who treats me this way. I describe what had happened, and she apologizes that the doctor hadn't got the message yet. I tell her how unprofessional it was of him to not even check his messages before making such a phone call. He didn't ask what happened - he made assumptions and he attacked. Viciously. No thank you, there'll be no more appointments.
My god, I have half a mind to go there anyway and cough on him. If he had any idea how hellish the last 48 hours have been for me, he'd beg me to stay home and keep my germs to myself. Let HIM dope himself silly on NyQuil to just try and make it stop!
Let this be a lesson to you. From now on, I'm seeking recommendations from people I know and trust. I don't care who my (stand-in clinic rotation) doctor is buddy-buddy with, if his buddy is this kind of nasty, he doesn't deserve the business.
