Ever been told to go walk through public spaces in the office in just a paper gown and bra or underwear??
My most recent and LAST EVER appointment with this office took place Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 at 8:00 AM. I was checked in on time by a semi-pleasant nurse. I don’t really recall her name at this time. After the usual public weigh in and temperature she rushed me back to one of the private little rooms and after reviewing my medicine history for about the billionth time in this office she takes my orders looks over them tells me to remove my shirt and put on a paper gown. I agreed but stated that no EKG was required and that I would not be having one this morning. At that point I was rudely informed that I would have whatever testing they deemed necessary and that ALL their physicians do it THIS way. She abruptly left the room. Why is it I thought that I have to constantly tell them over and over what medicines I am still on, what medicines I no longer take etc. Every single appointment, I tell them over and over again what the correct updates are. Why am I still answering the same questions on old medication from over 10 years ago? If you cannot correctly record a YES or NO response why am I entrusting you with my healthcare in the first place?
I was left thinking ok – again I have no choice in the decisions I have made about my appointment? How can this be? Aren’t I supposed to be in charge of my healthcare? The way “ALL our physicians do it” isn’t medicine supposed to be customized to the induvial based on their needs? Furthermore, why are my surgeons’ instructions being blatantly ignored and disregarded? They must be very eager to bill my insurance company for unnecessary tests.
I realized it was 8:30 AM and Garth Ashbeck was running behind and since I had been rushed from height, weight and temperature at check in back to a room I had forgotten my coffee cup up front. I opened the door to the tiny room a crack since I was half naked in a paper gown top. Low and behold he was preparing to come in. I said hello I forgot my coffee cup up front. He said oh well you can go get it. I looked at him very, very confused and shocked. This was EXTREMELY OFFPUTTING a doctor was going to allow me to run through public spaces in his office HALF NAKED? I couldn’t believe it I think I actually stuttered. He looked at me like why aren’t you moving? I replied after an awkward silence that I was not appropriately attired and I was hoping one of the nurses or anyone else could go get my coffee cup.
I was already nervous for this appointment knowing I needed surgery. The nurse had already told me I was basically going to have to submit to whatever they wanted me to do. Now I’m told to run through the office naked to go get my coffee cup. I of course refused and he entered the room without having anyone else go get it for me. The appointment began with him going over everything in my file. I was answering his questions even though he had all the information in front of him. He asked me if I was feeling anxious this morning. Well let me see, I am going to have testing forced on me that is NOT required, you just offered me a chance to gallop through your office naked, did not ask anyone to help with my coffee cup and because you are 30 minutes late, I will now miss my next appointment. He began to yell rather loudly at me. I said stop scolding me like I am a child. He yelled louder “I am going to scold you like a child! You need to show some respect to me here!” The entire time he is screaming at me I asked him repeatedly – “I am asking you to stop, I am asking you to stop, I am asking you to stop!” Now I find myself yelling. At that point he gets up and declares the appointment over. I could NOT have agreed more. He throws open the door and announces to everyone within earshot – “does anyone know this patient? This appointment is over.” Not to mention that now the door to the room is open and I still have to change out the paper gown back into my clothing. I was NOT afforded any privacy. He rushes me to the front I collect my coffee cup and happily depart this facility announcing I will never return.
I have NEVER in all my life been treated so poorly by a professional medical practitioner. No matter how frustrated with your questions or comments a doctor should never yell at a patient that the patient NEEDS to RESPECT the doctor. .
Gath Ashbeck needs some sensitivity training, ethical training, and a review of the Patient Bill of Rights.
Before you book an appointment with Mr. Ashbeck check out his reviews online at https://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Garth_Ashbeck.html. I am not alone in my review of this man.
If you want your healthcare wishes ignored, this is the office for you.
If you want to be forced to make several appointments weeks apart for what they consider separate issues, this is the office for you. (They just want to bill for your co-pay as many times a year as possible.)

Submitted March 26, 2019