I really wanted to like Dr. Goff, but between feeling completely dismissed/invalidated, the lack of…read moreattention to my actual priorities, and the absolute nightmare of dealing with his office, I finally gave up and switched PCPs.
I scheduled with Dr. Goff after experiencing a gap in healthcare coverage. I have several established chronic medical conditions and prescriptions I've been on for years. I primarily needed to get back on my meds, obtain appropriate referrals (HMO insurance plan), and develop a plan for ongoing care. Instead, I spent approximately THREE hours at the appointment, much of it spent listening to lengthy explanations that were either totally irrelevant to my concerns or so basic (like suggesting turmeric for inflammation) they darn near insulted my intelligence (as a Personal Chef for clients with health issues, I do know what turmeric is, yes). After suggesting a Medrol Pack to get my autoimmune flare under control, I explained that I try to avoid steroids after extensive cortisol testing and having bad experiences trying to taper off steroids, including going into a months-long Prednisone withdrawal that left me depressed and lethargic. He completely invalidated me and went off on a tangent about another physician at the VA in Arkansas who had supposedly kept a patient on steroids for years, calling cortisol testing a "cash grab". After all that, the ONLY prescription he initially sent in for me was the Medrol dose pack, the ONE prescription I specifically said I did not want. None of my regular prescriptions were filled, and one prescription wasn't even included in his notes, so when I requested my prescriptions actually be sent to my pharmacy, I was told I needed another appointment so he could document why I was taking this particular med. What's funny is this took 2 portal messages to get a response, and by the time they responded, I had actually already been back in person to go over labs (and stuck with the PA or CNP who knew nothing about my issues). I shouldn't have to schedule and pay for another visit because something wasn't properly recorded the first time.
He also ordered several tests that weren't really necessary, including H Pylori (I've always tested negative for H Pylori, my ulcers from DECADES ago were confirmed to be from NSAID usage, and my chronic Gastritis was confirmed to be inflammation-related). He also wanted me tested/seen for a rare genetic disorder (EDS), which I do not have the genetic mutations for OR the majority of the symptoms. He insisted I see a Cardiologist (even though I JUST saw one) and also ordered a Lipoprotein(a) test, which is a once-in-a-lifetime lab test that is specifically excluded from my insurance plan. When I repeatedly asked his office to help provide the medical justification my insurer requested, I was essentially told it was not their problem.
The referrals I needed? I had a Chiro/PT place I liked, but he instead tried to send a referral to someone within his hospital system (out-of-network for me). He mostly seemed interested in hearing his own voice, trying to reinvent the wheel, and sending referrals to his buddies. None of my actual needs/priorities seemed to get addressed.
And yet the office/staff is somehow worse. When I say no one answers the phone, I mean literally. Sometimes you get no answer at all; other times, you're told you're the first in line and no one answers for 45-60 minutes. Portal responses are often dismissive, unprofessional, and barely address the actual question. They also reply in all caps so it looks like they're yelling. When I told them I was switching PCPs, no one cancelled my upcoming appointment, so I had to spend more of my time doing that to avoid a no-show fee.
I don't expect perfection, but I do expect a doctor to listen, document things accurately, and have an office capable of basic communication. Apparently that's asking WAY too much.
