I have been a patient of this Dr. Wittenberg for quite some time, and prior to today, I had always found him pleasant and enjoyed seeing him. Unfortunately, my experience today completely changed my opinion.
I have a plantar fibroma on the bottom of my left foot that has grown significantly and is now causing considerable pain while walking and even while sleeping. In the past, I received injections, but they were extremely painful and were no longer providing relief. Because of that, we previously discussed the possibility of surgery.
During a previous visit, I was told that an MRI was needed before determining whether the fibroma could be surgically removed. My understanding from that conversation was that the MRI would help determine whether the fibroma was attached to the plantar fascia and whether surgery would be an appropriate option.
I was unable to complete the MRI at that time because of financial circumstances. When I was finally ready to move forward, I scheduled it, but I was informed that the order had expired and that I needed to see the doctor again before a new order could be issued. That was the entire purpose of today's appointment.
When he asked whether I had completed the MRI, I attempted to explain why I had not. Instead of allowing me to fully explain my circumstances, I felt that he repeatedly talked over me, called me "noncompliant," accused me of making excuses, questioned whether I was a surgical candidate, and ultimately told me that I should find another doctor to treat this problem.
What made the interaction even more frustrating was receiving information today that seemed inconsistent with what I had previously been told regarding surgery. Today, he indicated that he does not perform surgery on these types of fibromas, which left me confused because our previous discussions were specifically about obtaining an MRI to determine whether mine could be surgically removed.
If surgery was no longer something he was willing or able to perform, I would have appreciated having that explained to me clearly and respectfully. Instead, the conversation focused heavily on labeling me "noncompliant" and accusing me of making excuses.
I understand that physicians make recommendations and that treatment plans can change based on medical circumstances. However, patients also have the right to make decisions regarding when they are financially and personally prepared to proceed with non-emergency testing or treatment. I did not continue returning for injections because I had already explained that they were painful and ineffective for me. My intention was to return when I was ready to complete the MRI and seriously pursue surgery--which is exactly what I was attempting to do.
What upset me most was the lack of compassion and consideration for my circumstances. I did not feel heard. I felt dismissed and judged rather than treated like a patient who was trying to move forward with her care.
I walked into the office expecting a routine follow-up and a renewed MRI order. I walked out feeling humiliated, extremely angry, and in tears after being told that perhaps I should find another physician.
That was particularly disappointing because my previous experiences with this doctor had been positive. I never expected to be treated this way.
Patients deserve clear and consistent communication about their treatment options, and they deserve to be spoken to respectfully even when a physician disagrees with their decisions or timeline. Unfortunately, I did not feel that I received either during today's appointment, and this experience has changed how I feel about continuing my care with this physician. read more