This feedback is given with the best intentions of providing my experiences with the patient…read morecommunication process if needed. I can't say enough good about Ashley Steffan, when I have face to face conversations with her, I do feel confident in her and trust my care. However, the past year, I had faced biopsy results that lead to Mohs Surgery referrals, the first time about a year ago, and I was told I would be referred to Core Dermatology for the consult and surgery plan. Full disclosure, it would have been nice to understand the MOHS surgery, and the specific biopsy results related to the referral recommendation treatment option. I was able to get all of these confirmed with the help of the internet (not always my first go to) my consult at Core and the PA team. I felt that to be an odd way to transition a patient to a competitive alternate care team. After that experience, and after the procedure, I did let a nurse at CID know my concerns with having to navigate this initial information myself, with unknown even basic understanding and having to ultimately get more details from the Core referral staff vs. the team of the Dr. and Offices I am with as a patient at CID. Then, recently again, another biopsy resulted in another referral for surgery. You can imagine the questions I may have had now, finding another suspicious issue again and curious to discuss options, which I briefly inquired with Dr. Steffan at the appointment. I asked her about what -if and what her opinion was for known alternatives other than surgery methods. Dr. Steffan, confirmed that if it was superficial, non-surgical options are options but, in other cases, it typically delays and resurfaces in the problem again. So, when I was called with the results, the nurse or whoever delivers that information told me I would need surgery and I could have it done in their office or be referred to Core. I asked her about the difference in surgery process which ultimately led me to Core again. I however, was not provided the depth of the clinical results/terms of the biopsy, (i.e. was it superficial, nodular, micro nodular, etc. only that it was basal cell). So, once I met with the Core PA today again, and I finally saw the clinical results stating, Superficial, nodular, etc. I had questions again, I was provided discussion and thorough information related to my questions and finally decided to opt for the MOHS again, not 100% convinced if I am honest, but not pressured one way or another, just more conversation, gained trust and asked for statistical info to give me the best path for my ultimate decision. In closing, I only provide this feedback, as I sincerely feel some of those in-depth conversations or information exchange should happen with my Dr. and/or his or her/ PA trusted team at the office I chose to be as a patient. I understand Dr's are busy and oftentimes have support teams like PA's or nurse counterparts. Frankly, I don't have an experience that is how it works with CID in my two cases. Should I future out eliminate the need for a two-provider process. Frankly, I am gaining knowledge each time and I felt sort of guilty in both experience events, having to come in blind of details each time. CID is truly a very very busy office, and for routine screenings and results, I am satisfied. But follow-up or issues that may require more information and interaction in my experience has been puzzling for sure. I hope this feedback is valuable.
