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| - My first visit with Dr. Candela went well. He took the time to ask me questions and was unhurried, unlike so many doctors today. He wanted to do an in-office procedure at a later date.
I showed up to a very busy waiting room, it's a large clinic. We all probably looked like customers of the Salvation Army, well, it's Vegas and we're casual. That's why a very well dressed woman stood out when she entered.
By then I'd waited about a half hour, which was fine as I figured with someone as thorough has he seemed to be, it's worth the wait.
But at about an hour I was concerned as I had other appointments. About the time I approached the desk to inquire, his Nurse came out and called my name.
She said nothing about the long wait, no apology or anything. She just thrust a bottle in my hand, pointed to the bathroom and told me when I was done to go to Exam Room 6, around the corner.
As I approached the exam room, Dr. Candela was standing in the hallway with the aforementioned well-dressed blonde. With her briefcase, I assumed she was there on business, not as a patient.
Because the door was open, I could hear their conversation, which went on for some time. It sounded like cocktail party chit chat. I thought that surely, with him seeing me in the exam room, knowing how late things were running that he'd wind it up. But he didn't, and it went on for at least another ten minutes.
Well, that did it. I walked out and politely informed him that I was leaving. That after an hour wait with no apology, then to be kept waiting in the exam room while he chatted away was a bit much.
I've seen dozens of doctors and medical professionals over the past three years and this was a first. While I've been kept waiting before, never that long and always with an apology and even a reason.
The next day I wrote him a letter with my reasoning. A week later I got a CYA registered letter from him saying that I should see another urologist in case I have a serious problem. There was no apology then, or ever.
Usually when patients are treated like cattle there is reason to worry about overall care. His response showed a complete lack of empathy. Not the kind of doctor I'll care to trust my body with.
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