I saw Dr. Zamora at the Optum clinic in Via Campo. Over a year later, the experience still haunts…read moreme. I write this review in hopes Dr. Zamora will read it and consider it in her future practice. I went to her, hoping to find a new primary care doctor. I was so hopeful and happy to have found her. She must be very smart as she graduated from very good schools. I researched her. I chose her.
I was late for my first appointment, so I was turned back. I understand there are rules, so I accepted it and made another appointment. I was early to my second appointment and finally saw her. However, this time, she was late. She said the system was acting up. But still, my point is: if you are going to be strict about patients showing up on time, you need to be very punctual as well. You will be expected to be on time. Things happen, like a system that goes down, but that is why some level of flexibility is important from both sides. It is impossible to have it both ways and not seem unfair or arbitrary.
Then I was seen. And here is the reason why I write this review. At some point in the physical appointment, Dr. Zamora asked me if I wanted a breast exam. I do not enjoy these examinations in any special way. However, I know they are important, so I said yes. She said she would do it, so I started lifting my shirt to get ready. The Doctor then started treating me in a very deffensive way, making me feel awkward as if I was doing something inappropriate and I was making her uncomfortable.
Then she told me that I had to wait for her not to be in the room to undress. Has anyone heard this rule before? I had not. I did feel like I was doing something wrong at the moment because of the way she treated me and because of the way she acted, but looking back, I did nothing wrong; I was merely cooperating and trying to be as accommodating as possible, trying to make her job easy. So, of course, I agreed to wait until she was not in the room. She left, and I undressed from my waist up. But by then, I was second-guessing my every move and feeling embarrassed and confused.
The Doctor came back and did her examination. I put my clothes back on as soon as I could (since I personally do not like to be undressed in front of other people, have I made that clear enough?). I wanted to be seen in a strictly medical way only, despite what the doctor may have been thinking that made her act so strangely. And the physical went on.
At no point did Doctor Zamora care to make me feel welcomed, at ease, or comfortable. It seemed as if I was just something else, she had to work on that day, and she could not wait to say "next."
Doctor Zamora was very short and was not interested in making any meaningful professional connection with me. She seemed tired; she seemed frustrated; she looked like someone who is overworked would look like. She seemed unhappy in her current position (talking to me); she seemed like she wished she was somewhere else. And there I was, after I had been looking forward to seeing her, all confused and offended but still trying to be as pleasant and friendly as I could.
I have no problem going to the Doctor, but I can see how someone who does not like going to the Doctor could be utterly traumatized after an interaction like the one I had. It was odd. I left the clinic feeling ashamed, anxious, confused, and disappointed.
I feel that it is not fair that other people who have no choice may have to endure what I endured, a really bad experience.
Dr. Zamora needs to be grateful for her clients and her job or find something else to do. We are the ones who pay her bills at the end of the day. And there is that thing about the oath that she took. She should not treat anyone else the way she treated me. And if a past experience is responsible for the Doctor's actions, then perhaps she should talk to another professional about it.
