Dr. Nassar was one of the worst doctors I have been to. I was referred to him by my neurologist (who I generally respect, but now am questioning his opinion since he thinks highly of Dr. Nassar) for a second opinon after complications to two foot nerves following achilles and talar fracture repair by another surgeon. I had no problem with scheduling or staff, but I have the following complaints:
1. He took x rays of both feet and ankles but he did not review them, or he did not review them with any care. I noted that you can see the soft tissue anchor in my calcaneus in the x-ray, and he exclaimed he did not see it. It is not hard to see; I am not a medical professional but foreign objects have very different densities than human tissues, so they stand out vividly on x-rays. A simple google search can confirm this to anyone reading this review. His analysis of my x-rays was either absent/negligent or surprisingly unskilled.
2. He recommended physical therapy as the main treatment for my nerve problems. I told him I agreed and had been discharged earlier than I felt ready by my surgeon and PT. He told me I should get a prescription from my surgeon. I explained that I had tried, and failed, less than a week ago in the last appointment I had. The failure to get the help I need is the whole reason I came to see a second doctor, spending MORE time and MORE money. He refused to write me a prescription! For physical therapy! You can wipe your hands of a patient, as a doctor, when you prescribe: you simply write "diagnose and treat" and then the Dr. of Physical Therapy is responsible for deciding when you are discharged. In spite of this fact, he is either too lazy to write the prescription or does not have any empathy whatsoever for the pain I am in: I told him my concerns (a) that the surgeon won't prescribe and (b) that the neurologist is hard to get in with and I would have to wait two whole more weeks. He then said I don't need a prescription for PT in Arizona anyways. I explained that without my iinsurance helping, which it easily would if the doctor wrote a prescription, it is usually $200-250 per session for PT, and I am on a salaried income which cannot sustain that type of payment for enough sessions. I already spent a lot on my surgery and other copays, and I'm willing to spend every penny I have to try to fix this problem, but you still need to be pragmatic - if your ankle is clearly screwed up and you had surgery, you deserve to get PT covered for all the money you're paying in premiums, etc. He was completely unsympathetic.
3. I teared up after all of this exchange, and he rather condescendingly asked why I was upset. On telling him that I felt like my time and money were wasted because nothing was done to help my pain and the only suggestion I received was unsubstantiated by the best standard of care practice of writing me a prescription for it, and how frustrating it is to be in a lot of pain with limited money and have someone add to your burden like that. I told him I was disappointed in the level of attention to detail he reviewed my images with, and the whole visit. He essentially said that it wasn't his problem, and walked out, leaving me crying in the room.
I would never recommend his services to any family, friend, or even an enemy. I do not think he even met the bare minimum of standard of care, and I imagine there are many patients out there who, like me, regret supporting a negligent medical practice with their money and wasting their time on the visit and commute. I'm currently looking into the options for getting my money (and my insurance's money, they don't deserve this either) back.
-Diane read more
