Theresa Hametz

Review of North Carolina Dermatology Ass...

Dr Ju seemed knowledgeable and professional during...

Dr Ju seemed knowledgeable and professional during my first appointment, but I did get a slight feeling she was trying to sell cosmetic services for my acne issue. I had been stable on a treatment for hormonal acne for 4 years prior to seeing Dr Ju, and she had no issue continuing my prescribed therapy during my initial visit. Upon arriving for my second appointment, she refused to continue the therapy at the recommended dose, and advised me she would be lowering the dose and then discontinuing therapy, because drugs that affect your hormones are not healthy for long term treatment. I addressed concern, and admittedly became defensive I had been stable for years and happy with the therapy. She refused to discuss the concern or objection that I had with her decision. There are multiple issues with this first being, she is failing to practice using evidence-based medicine. There is ABSOLUTELY no scientific basis for her assumption that long term treatment with spironolactone has any adverse health effects. In fact, there is little research to substantiate her view, except for an article which took results of another study out of context and drew incorrect conclusions. Additionally, long term treatment of hormones is actually pretty normal for most adult women you know, in the form of birth control, which actually has proven negative health effects. I digress, I left that day upset. When asked to schedule my next appointment, I told the receptionist I would like to hold off, because I wasn t happy with how things went, and I would probably want to see one of the other doctors next time. Flash forward, after having my family care provider continue the therapy for a few months, I called to schedule an appointment for myself and my spouse. I figured I would give the other provider a chance, since the office seemed okay aside from Dr Ju. The receptionist told me that there is a note on my account, and she had to check to see if she could schedule me. She returned after several minutes, to tell me that they would not see me, and I had been discharged, or something similar to that. She said they sent me a letter, which I never received. She refused to explain further, and when I asked if I would be able to speak with the office manager, she said sure. Without telling me, she sent me to voicemail. Completely unprofessional. The entire situation is unethical dismiss a patient from your practice for asking for a reason to why they are changing a perfectly effective and safe treatment, without offering a recommendation for another provider? I would recommend Dr Ju get some C.E. credit on evidence-based medicine and bedside manner. Maybe gain some interpersonal skills.