Let me start by saying that my first appointment with Dr. Sabbagh was for a second opinion. From…read morethe beginning, I made it clear that I was looking for someone who could help me find relief and fix my back issues.
Before seeing Dr. Sabbagh, I had been treated by another Beebe physician who administered two epidural injections. Unfortunately, they provided no relief, and throughout that experience I felt more like a number than a patient.
At my first appointment, Dr. Sabbagh asked, "What can I do for you?" I replied, "Hopefully fix my back." At no point during that visit was I told that he only performs surgery and does not provide pain management. Instead, I was told I needed to obtain the MRI disk and was rescheduled for another appointment a week later. By that point, I had already been suffering in significant pain for seven weeks.
I was able to get a copy of the written report, and I believe Dr. Sabbagh's office could have obtained those records as well if they had made the effort.
I returned for my second appointment only to be told two things: first, that Dr. Sabbagh only performs surgeries and does not provide pain management, meaning I had lost an entire week waiting for an appointment that could never meet my needs. Second, I was told that the written MRI report was not enough; they needed the actual disk.
The MRI had been completed in May, and by this time it was July. I don't understand why the office could not obtain the images themselves or, if necessary, order updated imaging. Instead, I was told to bring in the disk before anything else could be done. Dr. Sabbagh then suggested I make an appointment with another pain management physician, which meant waiting at least another two weeks while continuing to live with severe pain.
At that point, my eyes filled with tears. I said, "I can't deal with this pain for another two weeks." No one responded. There was no acknowledgment, compassion, or attempt to help.
The most upsetting part happened as I was leaving. I took the paperwork from the receptionist so I could schedule the referral appointment. Fighting back tears and feeling completely let down once again by Beebe Healthcare, I started walking away. As I did, I heard staff members laughing behind me. Whether they were laughing about me or something else, the timing was incredibly inappropriate and made me feel humiliated. It was one of the most unprofessional experiences I have ever had in a medical office. I dropped the paperwork and walked out.
Patients deserve clear communication, compassionate care, and professionalism, especially when they are in severe pain. Unfortunately, that was not my experience.
