Sharon Murphy

Review of Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Ctr

It's close to a lot of off post neighborhoods, but...

It's close to a lot of off post neighborhoods, but with all the surrounding construction, it's sometimes difficult to get to. It's always busy. It's not like there are many other options. The systems go down a lot; both in the clinics and the pharmacy. Appointments are hard to get. The clinic calls and says the doctor wants to see me, and I should make an appointment. So I go to Tricare Online and there are no appointments for the foreseeable future. I see the doctors at Patient First more than I see my PCM. Despite asking several times(as in more than 10) that they use my home phone for contact before they call my cell phone, they always call my cell phone. Gee, if I'm out of the house, I'm probably driving or not in a situation where I can talk openly about my personal medical things. No one wants to discuss their lab results while standing in line at the grocery store. Check your medication renewals. Doctors will randomly change the dose on you because they didn't check what your prior dose was. Getting it changed back can be problematic. If you are prescribed some sort of assistive device (arm canes, compression stockings, etc) they are likely not available. Too many times, I've had doctors tell me "I don't know what to tell you" or "there's nothing I can do for [this specific medical issue]". God forbid you need something stronger than Tylenol for pain. Many of these people are so afraid of stronger pain medications for long term problems that they'd rather just see you in pain. It has been my experience that the orthopedics doctors here are not up on the latest treatments. When I asked about stem cell treatments for arthritis, the doctor said "Oh, that's a LOOOONG way off yet." But I've seen places that advertise doing just that, and on the way in, there was even a radio commercial about it. Perhaps he meant it was a long way off *for military doctors*. If you have a name that isn't run of the mill, chances are it will get mangled. Apparently, people forget how to blend vowels when they work there too long. For instance, Shea is NOT pronounced Sheee - Ah.

Behavioral Health is hit and miss. Some of the therapists are really good. Others...well. Don't go with the 'school based therapist' if they try to direct your child that way. Those people are dangerous. In October, I requested a copy of behavioral health records for a child. It is now February and I do not have these records.

There are some great doctors there, who take the time not only to treat what you came in for, but to tell you all about whatever it is, what you can expect from it in the future, and how to manage it long term if it should be that sort of thing. Clinton in immunizations deserves a 10 stars out of 5 all on his own. My autistic child was terrified of vaccines and had to have several strong men hold her down to get them, even after taking an anti-anxiety pill. Clint can give her a shot and all I have to do is be in the room. She doesn't even need me to hold her hand. He truly has a special touch and manner with children who have a difficult time, and I can't thank him enough for turning this horrific experience into one my daughter can get through all by herself without any special additional care - or strong men to hold her down.