I'm the complete opposite of a hypochondriac. I don't go to the doctor and am even living with a stage 4 autoimmune illness that has no cure and is high-risk for cancer. But I just keep on keeping on because I am a gangsta! However, I know my body and I've been feeling an overall sense of 'off' status, needed a check up for my autoimmune illness, plus my allergies have been killer! So I decided it was time for a visit to the doctor which we will all know means 5 hours of day never to be replenished. Dr. Karin Kirakosyan is the doctor I am assigned to through my plan and thus I called to make my first appointment.
Dr. Kirakosyan's practice is located in a large, professional building on the corner of Olive/5th near downtown Burbank. Although they have a lot which most businesses in the building validate with tokens, sadly, Dr. Kirakoysan does not (my dentist is actually in the SAME building but different floor and he validates!) so allow yourself some extra time to find street parking if not looking to pay the lot.
Located on the 3rd floor, Dr. Kirakosyan's office is certainly outdated, tiny, and no frills. The waiting room is very stuffy and small with no decorations and few reading materials which consist of medicinal promo material and a couple outdated magazines. Cell phone reception is nonexistent (both myself with Verizon and another patient with AT&T had no service) so in other words... this is death in a box! There is a TV playing some medical advertisements but basically: bring reading material!
Aside from the absence of hospitality in the waiting room; the receptionist on duty, Annie, was welcoming and kind. I had to fill out the requisite first-time patient paperwork but she was clear, concise, and friendly so it was all easy-peasy. Also, hearing her on the phone speaking to other patients solidified her lovely demeanor. As expected, my appointment was at 2:30 and I wasn't let in to see the doctor until 3:45-ish so again: bring material to keep yourself entertained.
So let's get to the nitty-gritty, shall we? After waiting for over an hour, my check-up was literally about 5 minutes which is disappointing and I can understand why there are many negative reviews. First though, to address the positives, Dr. Kirakosyan was solid and kind enough. Yes, she is very stoic, not chatty, and straight-line so don't expect an overly caring bedside manner; but she wasn't 'cold' either. The main problem here is that Dr. Kirakosyan rushes you which makes it feel like A) you waited over an hour for nothing and B) that this practice only cares about patient turn-over and making money.
Need an elaboration? Again, the check up was only about 5 minutes and when I mentioned the symptoms I've been having plus my medical history; the doctor seemed to brush over it, not really listen, or ask any follow-up questions. Everything was just her saying she will give referrals to other specialists and blood work. Not to mention, when she conducted the test of pressing on my abdomen to see if I felt pain in various locales; she gave me no time to respond and check for pain and simply said, "You shouldn't feel any!" and moved on. WHAT THE HECK?! At one point, I DID feel pain and she said "You must be constipated". Um no. I have no issues in that respect and have never been constipated in my life, in fact! Definitely was NOT enjoying this from Dr. Kirakosyan.
The highlight was that she seems to hand out the prescription orders easily. I mentioned how I've been suffering from the horrible allergies this year every single day and have received no relief from over-the-counter meds and she freely give me scripts for allergy pills with 4 refills so that lasts about 6 months. Nice!
So, what's the verdict? Dr. Kirakosyan is not really the best doctor in terms of patients not feeling well and needing to figure out what's going on. I feel like you could have signs of cancer and she would just brush you off. Unless you come in literally sick on the spot: it is the only time you will be taken seriously. Plus, those seeking a doctor who is very friendly, smiley, and seems to genuinely care will be displeased here. However, the experience could definitely have been worse. Dr. Kirakosyan is "okay" but I understand the negative reviews, as well.
This is definitely a "your call, see for yourself" practice. Just make sure to bring reading material for the wait because you won't be able to play on your phone! read more