I just got back from an appointment with Dr. Kaplan at this facility. Let me start from when I walked in the door. Large waiting room, Fox News playing on the TV. So far, so good. I got called right up to the receptionist's window. OK - prompt is nice. So much for first impressions.
The receptionist was unfriendly - not nasty, but still...would it kill her to be friendly? I was here because I was concerned about a growth that was potentially cancerous, so of course I was a little nervous to begin with. A smile and a sincere "hello" would have gone a long way to ease my anxiety. Right away she asked for my insurance card and a photo ID. (Again, a little small talk would have been nice.) I gave her my insurance card and my photo ID from work - issued by the state of Pennsylvania. (It was more accessible than my license.) Nope, that was no good. She wanted my license. It turns out that my referral agency had my old insurance information in my file, and Dermatology Associates doesn't participate with my new insurance (Blue Cross). I think she took this personally.
I had the option of not keeping the appointment or keeping it and paying for it myself. I decided to keep it because, well after all, this could be cancer. I was given a clipboard with a questionnaire on it to fill out. No biggie, this is standard procedure. I didn't get to finish it, however, because I was called back for my consultation.
The nurse who showed me to the examining room was the only pleasant person I encountered my entire time there. She was young and fairly chipper, without losing her air of professionalism. She asked me a few questions, laughed at my weak jokes, and gave me a paper gown to put on.
I didn't have long to wait for the doctor. I will say this - I appreciated how prompt they were and that I didn't have to wait forever for my turn to see the doctor.
Dr. Kaplan came in and we shook hands. We both sat down, he asked me a few more questions, and then looked at the site where my mole was. He indicated that it seemed to be benign, but of course it had to be removed and sent to pathology, which was fine with me. He had me lie face down on a table and prepared the site with an alcohol swab. "You'll feel a stick and burn," was his terse introduction to the whole procedure. Needles don't bother me, so I was fine with the procedure, but the bedside manner! There was none! Doctor - I know you see this (and much worse) every day, but this is ME! This is MY body and I'm worried! Intellectually I'm OK because you don't seem concerned, but emotionally I'm a little rattled!
I was left to help myself up off the table, an awkward proposition since I had been lying face down, and was trying to negotiate my way up without losing my paper gown altogether. A little assistance would have been nice. After I finally got myself situated into a less embarrassing position I asked the doctor about caring for the site; could I get it wet in the shower the next day? How long to keep the bandages on? Dr. Kaplan just said, "Don't get it wet today and you can shower normally tomorrow." Not a bad response, except he didn't make eye contact with me once - he was too busy writing his notes. Sorry, Doctor, you lose BIG points for that gaffe. As soon as he was finished writing he was gone.
The assistant gave me a paper that told me how to take care of the removal site, and also my bill. I was instructed to get dressed and see the billing person.
If I thought the receptionist was cool, the billing person was downright frosty. Lady - you work for a dermatologist and cosmetic specialist. I'm sure if you smile and your face cracks they can patch you up pronto.
In short I left my appointment at Dermatology Associates feeling not unlike a nameless, faceless piece of meat. I've seen sushi chefs carve up their salmon with more interest. I would like never to return to Dermatology Associates. God willing, I never will have to. read more