Jose Martin Gonzalez, MD

We just moved to Atlanta in June. Since moving here I realized that I needed to find help for referrals for doctors. After making the acquaintence of a neighbor — I was referred to this dr. My first visit was fine — as a new patient — Dr. Gonzalez was kind and patient with me as I went through the new patient process. At the time I was going through a great deal of stress as we had just moved my mother in law from North Dakota and I had become her caregiver.
My second visit was today — 12÷21÷15 and was horrible. I made the appointment last week telling his PA that I needed to see him for general pain from my back and hip and pain in my feet. Specifically my right foot which was now swollen and difficult to walk on.
When I arrived at the office — I discovered that they didn’t even have me in their system as a registered patient. When Dr. Gonzalez finally entered the room I told him that my Mother in law had passed away — he sat there with absolutely no emotion and just stared at me. That should have been my first clue.
I realized he wasn’t going to say anything so I began telling him my symptoms about my feet. He held up his finger signalling me to stop and announced that I was on his schedule for one thing only and he could only treat that one thing and that his schedule was very full. I said that it was all related and he again stated that his schedule was full and began pressing on my foot and told me it wasn’t a foot issue. How the hell he could tell that from just pressing on my foot is beyond me. I said fine and then he said that I could schedule another appointment AFTER the holidays for all of my OTHER ISSUES. I became somewhat upset and tried to tell him how difficult it had been to find a doctor since moving to Atlanta that actually does more than one thing and I was beginning to break down. Instead of comfort — I was humiliated. He stood up saying — and I quote — «OK I’M GOING TO CANCEL THIS APPOINTMENT». I then asked what I’m supposed to do and all I got was his back. I was humiliated in front of his staff and as I left crying — I told the front desk that I had better not be billed for this appointment. I am 62 yrs old and I have never been walked out on by a Dr. I know that some Dr’s can be all business but never did I think that I would experience the level of rudeness and clear lack of empathy from a healthcare professional. Dr. Gonzalez — you need a course in compassion! you need to go back to bedside manner school. Actually — look up the words COMPASSION AND EMPATHY and have them posted on your wall. I have lost 2 mother’s, a family, a business and friends, a home of 12 years. I’d like a little less rude and a little more compassion. Remove me from your records — oh wait — I wasn’t even there!
Deborah L. Berger