I actually just changed my dermatologist to Dr. Katz in the Galleria Area because Powell…read moreDermatology has gone so far downhill.
I had been going to him for at least 10 years. My father went to him even longer. The place used to be amazing, but it's not that way anymore.
Firstly, the time it takes to get an appointment. I use to be able to get in very quickly, maybe a couple weeks TOPS. I can barely even get 2 appointments a year now. I called recently and was told their first appointment was in September. Really? That's a little far off for an appointment! It's June as I write this. Part of the reason is that, I believe Dr. Powell needs more help in the office, more doctors. I don't know what the reason is, but this place could seriously benefit from some more doctors. If you have ANY type of emergency, what are you supposed to do? All I needed was a steroid shot. Takes 5 minutes. Powell Dermatology wouldn't do it. Went to Dr. Katz, whom I've never even been to and they got me right in in a matter of 2 days for an appointment that, what do you know, was 5min long.
Second, IF you ever do get an appointment, have fun in that waiting room. I've had to walk out multiple times after extremely long waits. I don't have all day to sit in a waiting room and I'm willing to bet not many others do either. In my opinion, too big of a practice. Not enough Dr.'s.
Thirdly, Dr. Powell use to be very personal with his patients. He was a family friend and you could tell. He genuinely cared. He has no time to care anymore. It's nice that he's got so much business, but damn. I would like an appointment in which I actually felt like more than just another patient. You will usually see Doctor's Assistant's for a majority of your appointment.
Lastly, my biggest problem is he refuses to do treatments I want. The steroid shot I've asked for multiple times for my cystic acne, he won't do. I don't know what the reason is, but instead, he puts me on anti-biotics that never do anything. So, after him refusing many times, I sought new help. Had a very troublesome spot come up. Same type of thing I have asked Powell about for years. He always refused. Those spots stayed huge and red forever and when they "went away" they left scars and blotches. Dr. Katz came right in and gave me the shot- no questions asked. It's been 24 hours and the spot is already 75% gone and hardly red at all. She did what Dr. Powell wouldn't and what she did WORKED. Combine this, with the fact that I waited about 10 minutes in the waiting room AND got seen within 3 days, I immediately changed my doctor.
Every time I went to Dr. Powell, pretty much all I got was talk about Accutane. He suggests it every single visit. I have told him numerous times I can't take it because of my medical history. Still every time, he comes in and says, "Have we discussed Accutane?" It's been in my file for a good number of years that I can't take it. Yet, every time I come in, we discuss it.
Obviously, I am very upset with Powell Dermatology and have been for quite some time. I will be taking my business elsewhere. It's up to you what you want to do. He's a good doctor. My problems lie in other areas.