If I could give Dr. Sachin Patel and Garey Orthopedic zero stars, I would…read more
My brother was referred to Dr. Patel directly from urgent care because he was experiencing excruciating neck and shoulder pain. His arm and hand had gone completely numb, and he was in so much pain that he could barely sit still. Throughout the appointment he was visibly writhing in pain. The urgent care physician had already done what they could and referred him to an orthopedic specialist because they believed he needed further evaluation and treatment.
Even though Garey Orthopedic was able to get him in relatively quickly, it still took several agonizing days for the appointment while my brother continued to suffer. At the time, we were grateful to be seen sooner than expected. Looking back after our experience, I couldn't help but wonder whether the availability had less to do with efficiency and more to do with patients choosing not to return to this place.
We walked into this appointment expecting expertise, answers, and, at the very least, compassion. Instead, we were met with one of the most cold, dismissive, and uncaring physicians I have ever encountered.
Dr. Patel came into the room, asked my brother what was wrong, and while briefly checking his grip strength, asked when the symptoms began. Within just a few minutes he said my brother needed an MRI and then asked, "Are you open to an MRI?" We found that question baffling. We weren't there to decide for ourselves what diagnostic tests should be performed. We were referred to an orthopedic specialist because we expected a physician to evaluate him and determine the appropriate course of action.
The most upsetting part of the visit came when we asked what could be done to help manage my brother's unbearable pain while waiting for the MRI. Dr. Patel's response was simply, "Go to the ER." We asked if Garey Orthopedic did not treat pain, and he again replied, "No. Go to the ER."
There was no explanation other than an arrogant response the he is a surgeon and if my brother came looking for pain relief he couldnt help him. No discussion of why that was his recommendation. No acknowledgment that the patient sitting directly in front of him was in obvious agony. No empathy. No compassion. Every response felt abrupt, irritated, and dismissive, as though our questions were an inconvenience.
I understand that physicians have limits on what they can prescribe or treat. If Dr. Patel believed the emergency room was the appropriate place for pain management, that could have been explained with professionalism and compassion. Instead, his demeanor conveyed complete indifference to someone who was clearly suffering. Later, we asked the nurse if he could be referred to a pain management doctor and she was able to give us a couple of names. At this point however, I don't think I would take that their referral for anything. We accepted the MRI referral because it was necessary, my brother paid his copay, and left. Before we were even out of the parking lot, we had already decided my brother would never return to Dr. Patel. We immediately began looking for another orthopedic physician because we had absolutely no confidence that someone with so little compassion was the right person to oversee his care.
A physician's responsibility extends beyond ordering tests. Patients deserve to be heard, informed, and treated with dignity, especially when they are in obvious distress. My brother came to this appointment desperate for help. He left feeling dismissed, unheard, and no closer to finding relief.
After reading many of the other reviews, I now understand that our experience was not unique. I only wish I had read them before scheduling this appointment.
If you are looking for an orthopedic physician who listens, communicates, and treats patients with compassion, our experience with Dr. Patel was the complete opposite. I cannot recommend Dr. Patel or Garey Orthopedic based on the way my brother was treated.
