I'd be suspicious of this place. Patient-pleasing really isn't their forte…read more
I went to Dr. MacDonald as I was looking for a new chiropractor. As with most doctors, they don't want to speak with you on the phone, but expect you to come to the office to speak with them...via an appt. I don't work like that when I'm looking for a new doctor. I want a few basic questions answered first. Why should I waste my money on an appt. if you don't offer the type of care I'm looking for. Novel concept, I know.
I told the receptionist I wanted to speak with the doctor first, to ask about his treatment technique; she insisted on making an appt. and I declined. She took my name and number anyway. About a week later, his office called, to find out if I wanted to schedule an appt. I told her that once Dr. M. returns my call to answer some basic questions that I'd then consider making an appt. She tried to run interference by asking what my questions were and once she learned they were technical in nature about the different kinds of chiropractic techniques - SOT, Gonstead, Diversified, etc - she admitted that she didn't know. So another week passes until he finally calls me back. He was polite and professional. I asked my questions and decided to give him a chance. I told him what kinds of treatment I was accustomed to and what I didn't like in chiropractic care. Some treatments are harsh and can hurt.
I finally go to see him and he asked again what I liked and didn't like. It felt like a repeat of the phone conversation. I asked him if he didn't recall us having this same conversation on the phone beforehand. He looked at me with that "Oh crap" look, as I was holding him accountable for speaking with me. He came back with a slick excuse that he didn't jot down any notes at that time and he apologized. Hmppfff.
The treatment went okay and he was quick to advise that I schedule 2-3 treatments/week until we get me back into shape - carefully chosen words, as he didn't say "back into alignment", since he said during the treatment that I didn't seem to have any spinal alignment problems. I mentioned my previous treatment regimen and who I had seen before him and wanted to know if he could follow some of that regimen to get me started under his care. He agreed and said that he'd contact my previous doctor to have my "care file" sent over. So, it was my turn, I was slick enough to tell him that I wanted him to review the file before I made a 2nd appt. - to give him time to develop a plan for my chiropractic needs. He didn't know what to say as I got the impression he doesn't usually have patients say that. He agreed. So he scribbled something in the file and sent me to the front desk. Apparently, what he scribbled had nothing to do with what we just spoke about. The receptionist was eager to make a 2nd appt. and I had to go through the whole spiel again about him getting my old file. What a PITA!
I waited a week and called his office to find out if they had the file yet - NO. Another week went by and his office called this time to set up an appt. I asked if they finally had the file and the receptionist had NO CLUE what I was talking about. She put me on hold and then got back to me - no file yet, STILL! At this point I was getting suspicious. I doesn't take two weeks to get a filed transferred.
A whole month goes by. His office calls me to schedule a follow-up. Again, we go through the same issue about them getting the file. Now the excuses start coming - how they must've forgotten to request it from the previous doctor, BUT...they would be happy to schedule a next appointment. I declined and insisted that they get the file before we proceed. Out of curiosity, I called my old chiropractor to ask if they ever got a request to send my file to the new chiropractor - the answer was NO! I never heard from his office again.
My recommendation - stay clear of this chiropractor. He, and/or his staff, has poor follow-through if you are going to him after being cared for by another chiropractor.
**Rebuttal to 6/12/13 comments**
It's simply incredible how you attempt to chide and chastise a reviewer for an honest opinion. In regards to my California information, you have heard of this concept called 'moving', 'relocating'?? Yes? People do it all the time. Moreover, the matter of my review was handled discretely as Dr. MacDonald messaged me privately and it was discussed further. I get the distinct impression that you didn't confer with Dr. M. before you posted this retort or you would've known that he already addressed it privately. For you to post something publicly 18+ months after my initial review screams desperation, to discredit any reviewer who is not giving you a 5-star rating. For shame! Additionally, I don't even know who you are as you're not the doctor who treated me, that was Dr. M. Unfortunately, there's nothing to 'clear up' 18+ months after the fact. The way in which my case was handled was unacceptable.
