I had to write this review. I don't think in all of my medical history of going to doctors of any specialty have I observed and experienced what I experienced today. I had a raging gout flare-up, like one of my worse. They aren't regular but when they occur they are severe. Medicine doesn't seem to do the trick, however an injection (which are relatively quick and painful) does. This was my second time being in the Point Pleasant area as I reside in Naples, FL and part time in Point Pleasant. I was in excruciating pain with my gout and called Shore Podiatry and Dr.Spector. They were mildly accommodating at first by saying that there was a "rare" cancellation and that they would put me in the next day at 4:30 pm for the doctor. I thought there was a chance I could do it providing I changed my flight to a day out. Two things happened in between, I couldn't change my flight and my gout was getting markedly worse. The real experience kicked in when I took it upon myself to pop by the Dr office towards day end. I figured if I could just get a cortisone injection so I could board my am flight. So I hobbled in and spoke with the receptionist up front who had a glimmer of empathy to help me and consider me as an emergency foot situation (not as in the emergency room). It was pretty evident what I needed. The office manager, or more senior woman with dark hair from the back, reared herself and walked over to me to tell me that there were other patients, and there was nothing that she could do. I think what bothers me the most was how hollow she was and how there was such a lack of empathy in her eyes. I continued by asking if there was anyway I could pay extra or I could wait to see the doctor and she continued by saying "there's nothing that she could do". I told her that I would have extreme difficulty boarding the plane, and she and another woman in the far back had mentioned utilizing a wheelchair. Wow!! In all my life, I could never see healthcare as bad as this situation. To make matters worse the doctor nonchalantly entered the office, and I asked the woman if she could kindly ask the doctor if there was anything he could do. He looked listless and smirked. Shrugged his shoulders after the woman repeated that there was nothing that she could do and he waltzed away. She had even gone as far as to say that there was a note indicating that I was a difficult patient on the monitor. At no point was I ever ruthless, or abrasive in any manner. Persistent maybe but sufferers would understand. What a way to add insult to injury by "flagging" what she thought my behavior was, a whole different level of misery. There was an atmosphere of cruelty from this office manager I've never witnessed in my life at Shore Podiatry. I knew at that point I was dealing with a very miserable human being and conceited without incident. If my life depended on it, I would never enter that building again to seek any type of help. I called several people thereafter, however it was the end of the day and two out of the five podiatrist in the area genuinely heard my concern and agreed to schedule me for first appointment the next morning without being a patient. Only issue is that I couldn't move my flight and had to pass. A true show of compassion and good business on the part of these Dr's offices. My only option is to suffer home and see my podiatrist who takes serious cases on the spot. After telling my wife about this podiatrist off ice and Dr. Spector she began to ask me what building, the doctors name, and put it all together by explaining to me that she also had gone there once and had a terrible experience, and would never return because of the office person. We both chuckled as we didn't know even being married 15 yrs together. We had both been treated so poorly. Stay away from this practice. There are way more podiatrists in the area that are more empathetic and caring. And will be way more responsive in the event of an urgent situation. I think this is the first complaint I've written in several years. I'm a businessman, and I would never treat people like this if I was even selling them a cup of coffee. And this is healthcare for God sake!!! Shame on them, and again stay away from Shore Podiatry on Bridge Ave in Pt. Pleasant. read more
