We had a pediatrician that we loved but the drive to Overland Park was starting to wear on us. We had heard so many good things about Dr. Evans that when my son got an ear infection, we gave her a shot. Initially I was very impressed with her bedside manner as my son has special needs and needs to be eased into his exams. This was fine and Dr. Evans was very pleasant.
The trouble came a week later when my son had an atypical seizure, something that has a high rate of occurrence with his diagnosis. When I called the office and explained the event, the nurse said she'd follow up with the Doctor and call back. They called back about 15 minutes later to tell me it was a reaction to the cold weather (read: that my sons convulsions were actually just shivers). When I explained to the nurse again in detail that this was not possible, she said "Well she said if it happens again to go to Children's Mercy". I described the new symptoms my son had shown while we waiting for her call back, symptoms commonly seen in anyone who had seizure activity. Instead of checking back with the Doctor, she told me "Well you didn't tell me that before". I explained it had happened in the time since we last talked. She then said "Well, she said to go to Children's Mercy if it happens again." I was alarmed as every other physician's office I know doesn't leave the final diagnosis or recommendation with the nurse.
We ultimately did not take Dr. Evans/her nurse's advice to wait for this to happen again, and we did take my son to Children's Mercy ER. They concluded he did in fact have a seizure, and referred him to neurology. When I later called Dr. Evans office to discuss my concern regarding their misdiagnosis, the receptionist refused to let me speak to the Doctor despite me saying this was a grievance and concern regarding patient care. She told me I could write a letter because Dr. Evans cannot take calls due to seeing patients.
So I wrote a detailed letter with my concerns over a month ago and have not gotten a call, email or letter in response to my concerns or to even acknowledge my concerns. Luckily I sent my letter certified so I know it when and who received it. I will continue to try and make my concerns known to her office so that this misdiagnosis does not happen to another child and their family.
If you want to be totally comfortable with your child's care and would like an open line of communication in the event something significant comes up, I personally would not recommend Dr. Evans and her office. I see below that someone has had a different experience but I am not willing to gamble on my child's health and well being. read more