I was hospitalized on 26 Dec with acute diverticulitis; the emergency room doctor thought I should have surgery but the on-call surgeon was still very much enjoying his holiday. Instead of coming in to assess my situation, he instructed the emergency doctor and I was sent home with many prescriptions. My release papers instructed me to see a gastroenterologist asap. I called the first doctor, Alan Plotner, on the discharge paperwork (who also came highly recommended by my primary physician) to book an appointment. I was able to book a virtual 1st visit; odd given the severity of my condition. But, Covid cases had just spiked so I accepted the virtual appointment as a safety precaution. After waiting two full months for my appointment with this gastroenterologist, I was told by the office assistant during the pre-screening session that I was not meeting the doctor online, I'd be talking to Dr Plotner via FaceTime. It went rapidly downhill from there. Even though Dr Plotner's office called multiple times to remind me of my "appointment ", no one bothered to ask if I would have INOVA send reports of the many tests I had in the emergency room or my actual medical records from my primary doctor. Our FaceTime session lasted 3 minutes 46 seconds - a waste. But that's not the worse! I had asked another teacher to cover my class since I didn't have an on-site appointment and could go to the teachers lounge to meet with him "virtually". Dr Plotner recognized my surroundings and had the unmitigated gall to give me a homework assignment. I was assigned to call around to get the necessary records sent to his office; wait a week then call back to set up another FaceTime. That is not going to happen! What a waste of many weeks waiting to "see" this great doctor. Unfortunately, zero is not an option but that rating is reflective of the experience I had with this office
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