Dr. Nguyen was reckless in his questioning of patient on previous abuse in an attempt to prove the cause of patient's injury was due to substance abuse. His questions were not helpful in the purpose for the visit, which was to determine if further medical testing, or rehab, etc. was indicated. This appointment was not made for a psychiatric assessment or for psychiatric care. The appointment was made with the diagnosis already being delivered at the emergency room by the doctor on duty who recommended follow up care with a Neurologist to determine prognosis and course of action. Sadly, this emergency room doctor, who operates out of the same hospital, recommended Dr. Nguyen.
The questions that were fired off in a 20-30 initial appointment which was intended to address a Radial Nerve Entrapment, were demeaning and appeared to be intended to shame and cast blame. "How far did you get in school?"; "Have you ever been abused?"; "What do you do for work?"; are a few examples. Since Dr. Nguyen was not acting in the role of Psychiatrist and was not prepared to offer any therapeutic component to aid the patient with the painful memories his questions triggered, then he was doing harm to the patient. All of this questioning plus a brief, minutes long physical assessment in which no further medical treatment was recommended, the injury would most likely heal on its own, was performed within less than 30 minutes. The patient was left reeling emotionally. I was a witness to all of this.
I am 60 years old, a breast cancer survivor, abuse survivor, have 4 children, 2 of whom have congenital health issues. I have been to many doctors over the years for myself, my children and other family members. I have never had contact with anyone as reckless in his patient relationship, of course all under the guise of seeking information pertinent to the case. None of the information changed the initial diagnosis, projection for recovery from injury or any of the neurological concerns that the patient came to get help with. Even so, when the doctor gave the final paperwork, he listed the primary diagnosis as: 1.Childhood Abuse - 262.819(based on an affirmative head nod when the patient was asked if they had ever been abused) and 2. Mood Disorder - F39. So, the patient was given by this Neurologist a psychological diagnosis based on a few answers to verbal questions and a head nod. I have NO frame of reference for ANYTHING like this.
I worry for the next vulnerable patient who happens to find themselves in Dr. Nguyen's examining room. I have a moral responsibility to warn others. read more
