Patient First

I normally hate these type of quick help centers because they never seem to diagnose anything. on my trip here, they were able to help me with an allergic reaction and got it under control. The staff was nice, quick and efficient.

Not sure what all the fuss is about. The facility is clean, staff friendly, and while I’m sure wait time varies my service was fast (I arrived 10 minutes after open and was out of there in a half hour). Sure, there are touchscreens to check in, but just don’t lick the things and use hand sanitizer afterwards and you’ll survive. This particular location made being sick easy. I’d definitely go back. Oh, and try the ribs!

The check-​in, ma, and physician were amazing, professional, and caring. No insurance. No problem… until the checkout people. Woman was rude — arrogant — nasty — and mean. She got mad at me and said that the check in would not have told me that the doctor would work with me and adjust the fee for the visit. She did everything but call me a liar. When I told her all I had was a twenty dollar bill she huffed and walked out and when I tried to explain, her and a man that was now doing the check in ignored me. They were both awful. So I picked up the twenty and said Bill me over my shoulder.

If you are in a hurry do not come here… Vital checkin very efficient but wait time is horrendous– over one hour. Customer service is next to non-​existent. You will be put straight through to VM when you return their call… You are only a number and I think that is the number of $$ they receive from your insurance. Pls go elsewhere. The only reason I gave one star is that is the lowest available…

I’ve been to several Patient First locations in the Richmond area over the last decade, and my experience here was one of the best. During my visit this past week, I was registered, seen, diagnosed and discharged with my prescription in less than an hour. Every single person I interacted with — from the receptionist, to the intake nurse and my physician — was attentive, responsive to my complaint, and as nice as could be. I understand that experiences can differ based on wait times, rotating staff, and the severity of your injury/​complaint, but this location really seemed to have it together. I picked this location on a whim, as it was close to work, but I will absolutely be returning here for any visits in the future.

I echo the same message as fellow Unilocaler Megan M. below. I am relatively healthy and maintain a somewhat active lifestyle so I do not need a primary care doctor. Patient first usually fulfills my medical needs for available service at a decent price and there are no appointments necessary.
Wait times can vary drastically from the morning until afternoons. But I know for a fact that if you line outside the door in the mornings before they open at 8AM you will be checked in and be seen by a doctor within 10 minutes. The waiting room area is dated, feels congested and doesn’t really have a «lively» vibe. I know it’s a medical facility but it just seems drab to me. They have face masks and hand sanitizer for your convenience.
Usually the longest wait times for me have been after getting checked in, they write down your weight/​height, take your BP and then you sit in a exam room until the doctor comes. About more than 75% of the time the doctors usually confirm what I already have and prescribe to me something OTC. I really only go to patient first when I am filling extremely ill and think it’s something severe. I know it’s better to be safe than sorry.
On my most recent visit though the doctor wasn’t sure if I had a viral infection and or an upper respiratory infection but I thought I had the flu (I had many of the symptoms and was feeling terrible). He stated that if I didn’t feel better in two days to get the medicine he prescribed to me. I wish that he knew exactly what it could be or if there were other tests he can do to figure out what it was. just seems like this place only gets you in and gets you out as fast as they can.
The Medical assistants are usually really nice and keep you updated on how long wait times will be.

The service here is mechanical and perfunctory. These people don’t see you. They are on auto pilot. I felt de-​humanized. It’s not that they were impolite. They weren’t. They were just very mechanical. There is no customer service, no bedside manner, no sense of caring. When you are sick, you want to be cared for. I was not a person with a problem. I was reduced to lab results. It’s good that I was able to just walk in, but that is about all it’s good for.

Over the years that I have been going to Patient First, they have progressively improved their level of service, and are continually actively engaging customer/​patients to determine how better they can continue these enhancements. The staff is very kind, I always feel very cared for on a personal level. The doctors and Physician Assistants try to offer me the best options for me financially considering I have no insurance.
I have family that tells me «Never go to a Doc in a Box». I feel, when I go to Patient First, that they have been my general family physicians office for year, and always receive the upmost care.

It’s hard to review a medical practice. The only reason for reduced stars would be because they brought me to germophobia. Back story, I’m never worried about germs. I’ll work on a greasy engine and eat a sandwich at the same time.
The patients use touch screens to log into the office. Once you’re next in line you get called into a semi-​private office. It seems to me the fewer things you touch in an office, the less chance you have to spread whatever sickness may be in there.
I was just there for pre– employment drug testing, but I used the hand sanitizer several times while I was there. I haven’t since!

The only reason I come to this location is it is close to my house. Other than that, I don’t recommend it. There is one P.A. that works all day on weekends that over prescribes antibiotics when there is no clinical indication for antibiotic necessity. (I am a Medical Laboratory Technologist)
The wait is awful. We got here as soon as they opened this morning (8am, like all centers) and are just being registered as I write this. Who knows how long it will take us to actually get seen.
So really, try to find another center if you can.

Because I’m young and relatively healthy, I chose Patient First as my primary care doctor. I don’t have to have an appointment, and can go there whether I need prescription refills, referrals or have a broken bone.
The thing about this Patient First is, it’s really hit or miss. Because you don’t see just one doctor there’s no chance to build a relationship with your physician. On my first visit I happened to see the medical director and he was very friendly, helpful and full of specialist suggestions. On another visit I saw a rather unfriendly doctor who wouldn’t believe I was sick. It’s all about who you run into.
Also, if you want to go to this office, get there early. It gets busy and you’ll most likely have to wait for a while if you get there after 9 a.m. or so. For what it is, it’s a fine facility, but if you have more serious health needs I’d go somewhere else.