Review of Mid Atlantic Pain Specialists – Dr. Robe...
Review of Mid Atlantic Pain Specialists – Dr. Robert T. Chapdelaine, M.D.
I wish I had read the reviews before visiting Mid Atlantic Pain Specialists in Pennsville, NJ. Today, I saw Dr. Robert T. Chapdelaine, and I don’t have anything positive to say about the experience. After seeing him in person, I can absolutely understand why so many reviews share the same concerns.
This doctor does not respect his patients or their medical conditions. He does not value your time. He does not speak to you with empathy. Unfortunately, I found him to be dismissive, unprepared, and ultimately uncaring.
I am a disabled adult living with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA), also known as Type 1.5 or Type 3 Diabetes, as well as Diabetic Gastroparesis. I’ve been under pain management care for 7 years in both Florida and Maryland. After recently purchasing a home in Pennsville, my doctor referred me to a local pain specialist — which led me here. I truly wish I had researched more thoroughly before making the appointment.
The Visit:
Wait Time: My appointment was at 11:00 AM, but I wasn’t seen until 12:45 PM. I sat in the waiting room for nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes, watching three patients who arrived after me go in before me.
Forms: Despite spending about an hour the night before filling out the online intake forms, I was handed a redundant paper packet asking for the same information when I arrived.
The Doctor’s Approach: Dr. Chapdelaine walked in and didn’t even make eye contact. I had to introduce myself. He asked very basic questions (like my primary care physician’s name and when I last had a gastric imaging), clearly without reviewing my chart in advance. It felt like he was just going through the motions.
The Breakdown:
When he finally asked about my condition, I explained I have Latent Autoimmune Diabetes. He immediately replied, “An autoimmune disease doesn’t tell me anything about your condition.” I clarified that I have Latent Autoimmune Disease — also referred to as Type 3 Diabetes — and began to explain further. He cut me off to say, “Excuse me, I’m speaking,” and launched into a general explanation of autoimmune diseases that showed he wasn’t understanding or willing to engage with the specifics of mine.
When I pointed out he wasn’t listening, he became visibly irritated. I tried once more to clarify, and when I said “Excuse me, I’m speaking” in response to my being interrupted, he clearly didn’t appreciate being spoken to the same way he was speaking to me — and he walked out of the appointment.
Summary:
This doctor did not respect my medical condition.
This doctor did not respect my time.
This doctor did not treat me with empathy or basic human decency.
This doctor was just the worst.
Do I think this review will change his behavior? Honestly, no. From what I experienced, it seemed he stopped caring long ago. But I’m writing this in the hope that it helps you avoid the same experience. You deserve a provider who listens, who learns, and who treats patients with dignity and respect. This was not that
