I'm completing this review to the best of my knowledge based on my family's experience.
Reason for visit: Autism-related concerns.
Nurse Practitioner: The NP was attentive, listened, and was helpful throughout the visit.
Dr. Dubey: My experience was generally positive at first. Over time, however, I felt that our interactions changed. I began to feel questioned in ways that left me doubting myself, and it became increasingly difficult to get connected to supportive resources for my son.
For example, I needed a medical form completed for my son. Although he had an established epilepsy diagnosis and was already taking antiseizure medication, I was told the form could not be completed until records from his original diagnosis were obtained. I found this odd because, from my perspective, his diagnosis was already well established. The delay made it more difficult to access the support we were seeking.
When discussing autism-related concerns: A comment that concerned me was when Dr. Dubey stated that she has seen many patients with autism and that, just by looking at my son, she would not be able to tell he has autism.
As a parent, that statement stood out to me because autism is a spectrum. Every person may present differently, and I believe it is important for healthcare providers to remain open to that reality. Even after seeing many patients, no two individuals with autism are exactly alike. I believe humility and an individualized approach are essential when evaluating children with developmental differences.
Overall, I left several appointments feeling dismissed rather than feeling like we were working together to understand my son's challenges.
Front Office Staff: During a well-child visit, I was repeatedly asked to complete a screening questionnaire after I had already declined. At the time, my son, who has incontinence issues, was trying to use the restroom, yet I continued to be asked to complete the form. I was also told that because we have Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ), I was required to complete the screening and that not doing so could jeopardize our insurance coverage.
This statement concerned me, so afterward, I researched the topic and learned that some clinics may receive reimbursement for completing certain preventive screenings for eligible patients. I cannot say whether that applied in this situation, but I believe patients should receive clear and accurate information about whether a screening is optional or required and should not feel pressured into completing one, especially while attending to a child's immediate medical needs. read more
