My experience with Dr. Micheal J. Given was frustrating and unnecessarily stressful. I was repeatedly told my condition was serious and required urgent action, yet when I asked for clarification, a written list of lab orders, or for results to be uploaded to my chart so I could review them myself, I was told the office was too busy.
He sent me for blood tests I had already completed, and when I called to ask whether that was a mistake or medically necessary, I was told, "If you don't want to take them again, don't." The issue was not willingness. It was whether the repeat testing was actually needed.
A follow up telehealth appointment lasted about 22 minutes and did not meaningfully review my results (the whole reason for the appointment). I later had to confirm on my own that a significant test was normal.
When I asked about an abnormal gene result, I was told to "look it up on the world wide web." After researching it myself, I learned that the severity is typically determined by testing a level associated with the gene. I repeatedly asked about that testing the level and received NO response. (When I later saw a new pulmonologist, that was the FIRST step recommended.)
During the same telehealth visit, he asked whether I was on oxygen. As a pulmonologist managing my care, that information should already have been known. When I asked whether I should be on oxygen, the response suggested that the question itself was unreasonable rather than offering any medical explanation.
He also suggested that I consider quitting my job (I travel for work) because of this situation, despite the fact that I rely on my employment for health insurance. Recommending that I leave my job before there was a clear diagnosis or full understanding of my condition was not practical guidance and felt disproportionate to the information available at the time.
ALSO, duplicate claims were processed through my insurance for the same services, which added additional stress.
After transferring care to a new pulmonologist, I have learned that my condition is far less severe than it was initially presented by Dr. Given. The difference in communication, professionalism, and overall approach has been night and day with my new pulmonologist.
Based on my experience, I would not return. read more
