I wouldn't give any star at all, but this is not an option.
I won't tell how nice doctors were to me or how many times Dr. Bishop or Dr. Peterson smiled to us. I will talk about professionalism, attention of these doctors to my child's health, symptoms of his sicknesses, and their readiness to perform their duties as pediatricians.
When my child was 2 years old, I brought him to Mrs. Peterson with cough and high fever. According to her words, bronchitis had high occurrence at that period, they dealt with many children diagnosed with it. BUT! Taking tests for bronchitis is quite a painful procedure, and Mrs. Peterson didn't really want to cause discomfort for my son. Therefore, "let's hope it is not bronchitis."
I was a first time mom. And I had very little experience with this type of doctors. I was of the opinion that every doctor - especially the one who is a mother herself! - realizes all responsibility laid on her shoulders when it goes about accurate diagnostics and timely treatment. Puzzled and confused, I had to submit to her decision.
The following night my baby had fever up to 104. I took him to the urgent care and guess what we found out? Bronchitis! I swore I would never lay a food on Mrs. Peterson's office door.
We decided to stay with Dr. Tanya Horner in the same office. At that time she had less experience, but how attentive, thorough and careful she was and still is! How professional she is! It was a pleasure to work with her.
4 years after our unpleasant occurrence with Mrs. Peterson my son had high fever and swelling red tonsils. We came to the office to see Teresa, the only available physician assistant on that day. A nurse took samples from my son's throat to test if it was strep. The result came back negative. We were let go home with standard instructions of warm drinks and plenty of rest with reassurance that 3 days later the child should be back to normal. 3 days later situation worsened significantly. The tonsils increased in size, acquired bright red color, lymph knots increased too, fever never went away. (Yes, I am not a professional, but the worsened state was so obvious even to me, non-professional!) I brought my child to Step by Step again and had a pleasure to see Mrs. Bishop.
She disregarded extremely bad state of tonsils and lymph knots, and solely relied on his high fever, sending us to an unnecessary Xray trying to find reason of persistent fever in possible inflammation in the lungs. Xray didn't reveal any abnormalities. And then Mrs. Bishop referred us to the urgent care to have them done blood-work. (It is sufficient to say, urgent care does not provide such services.) What happened here - lack of desire to look deeper into the symptoms (which were indeed so obvious!). Maybe on Friday evening she was too tired to try to find the answer what was happening to my child. With symptoms so obvious, Mrs. Bishop didn't bother to double check my son's throat, and plainly shifted her responsibilities on others letting them do her work. She just sent my child (who had had fever for 9 days by that time) out into the world, without definite direction and destinations.
I did take my son to an urgent care the following day. The doctor was stunned to see enlarged tonsils and lymph knots, and took samples for strep. It was positive. To my question how it happened that a nurse at Step by Step wasn't able to detect it, her answer was simple: "it should be taken very thoroughly".
Yes, let's blame the nurse. But should a professional, who is entrusted with health of your children, overlook obvious symptoms and blindly rely on mistaken results? What should be in the focus of a doctor's attention - to find the cure for the child and heal him? Or just cover herself with procedural requirements?
If we didn't have the accident with Mrs. Peterson, I would perhaps remain more loyal to this office. But when 2 doctors out of 3 (!) demonstrate the same extent of dereliction of duty and negligent performance, we can see a tendency.
Therefore, my advice to those parents who truly care about their children and want to see them grow healthy - stay away from Step by Step. Seek professionalism and true care, not just how nicely the personnel smiles to you. read more
