I was surprised to see such poor reviews from Dr. Masterson on ratemydoctors.com . Apparently she is very rude with patients in person. On the show she seems nice though. I guess its all an act.
See for yourself:
http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/18234/CA/Santa-Monica/Masterson
Very interesting. I could totally see her dismissive attitude on the show.
shareJust today I was thinking that she has issues. I bet the guys really don't like her. She's always looking for something to be indignant about. And today she told them they think with their penises. Apart from being very UNoriginal, it perpetuates a stereotype about women(especially daytime TV women) enjoying male-bashing. And in her case it's very hypocritical, because she whinges about things being demeaning to women all the time.
Also,maybe she's rude to her patients because she wants to be a TV doctor --like Dr. Phil--instead of a real doctor.
After watching the show a bit more with this in mind she does seem rude, even on the show.
shareI see where she can be direct, but don't necessarily see her as being outright rude.
After reading the reviews, it seems a lot of people had an issue with punctuality. I've yet to meet a punctual medical professional, particulary OB/GYN's. Waiting 30 or 45 min doesn't seem all that unusual to me.
"Professionals built the Titanic. Amateurs built the Ark."
Helen Hannah
I used to get p.o.'ed waiting for the doctor because they're always running behind until I became somewhat responsible for getting my grandmother to the doctor. Unlike how my mom raised me and I've raised my kids - state your problem/get the solution/get out - my grandmother treats it as a social visit. She tells him about her grandkids, about television shows she's seen, about friends with illnesses trying to get some armchair advice to pass on, it takes her FOREVER. You can actually see the doctor trying not to be rude but trying to get to the bottom of the issue and move on. I have tried explaining it to my grandmother but she won't listen, she says she's paying for his time and she'll take as much as she'd like (she's 90+ and mean as hell). I'm sure this isn't the case 100% of the time but I try to give doctors a break and just make sure and bring a book to read while waiting.
shareI read all the reviews, and most of them were very negative.
It seems like she's more interested in her celeb status than the care of her patients.
Although several of the reviews acted as though they were Dr. Masterson's only patient. News flash, you're not special, she's got other patients. And rarely are there doctors that are always on time to an appt. Maybe not two hours like one of the reviewers claimed, but there is usually a wait.
Also, there was one ex-patient of Masterson's who said that they called everyday for 3 weeks to get the results of a text that would tell them if they had cancer. Dr.Masterson called them back, and after the ex-patient asked, what seemed like a million questions, bluntly said, "Listen, you don't have cancer, and you don't have an STD. You're FINE." Well, if a patient called me every freaking day for 3 weeks, and then played 20 questions with me over the phone, I'd be pretty irritated as well. Tests usually take a while to get back, and I'm sure that person was not Dr.Masterson's only patient. And I know I'd be pretty happy to know I wasn't going to die anytime soon from some nasty STD or a horrible cancer. I'd leave it at that, and like it.
But in most things I've read about her, (which hasn't been much. Up until about an hour ago, I didn't even know her name. All I knew was it started with an L.), she's not a very nice, welcoming chick. I know if I saw her on the street, I'd probably run in the other direction.
And, her last name sounds like some spin-off of the Terminator. MASTERSOOOON. Right?
Are you calling me a liar?
Do you not see the flour on my apron, and the sweat on my brow?
[deleted]
"Also, there was one ex-patient of Masterson's who said that they called everyday for 3 weeks to get the results of a text that would tell them if they had cancer. Dr.Masterson called them back, and after the ex-patient asked, what seemed like a million questions, bluntly said, "Listen, you don't have cancer, and you don't have an STD. You're FINE." Well, if a patient called me every freaking day for 3 weeks, and then played 20 questions with me over the phone, I'd be pretty irritated as well. Tests usually take a while to get back, and I'm sure that person was not Dr.Masterson's only patient. And I know I'd be pretty happy to know I wasn't going to die anytime soon from some nasty STD or a horrible cancer. I'd leave it at that, and like it."
Here is the full comment by the patient you mentioned:
"I have bood work & ultrasound done and called in every day for 3 weeks to get the results. When I finally got her on the phone, she told me I would have trouble conceiving and would probably need fertility drugs. Obviously, this was upsetting news and I had a couple of questions. She cut me off and said, "Look, you don't have cancer, you don't have an STD..you're FINE." I am asking for my file and never going back."- Patient
You seemed to forget/gloss over a major part of this story. The patient also stated that the doctor told her she would have a hard time conceiving a child with out fertility drugs. I think it is perfectly reasonable for the patient to have a few questions. Wouldn't you? When faced with the posibility of never having children would you just "leave it at that?"
What kind of doctor would drop a bomb like that on a patient and not expect to answers some questions?
I was told over the phone that my blood test for birth defects showed that the child I was carrying would have Down Syndrome. Like they were telling me the weather. And it certainly wasn't my doctor. I'm surprised to hear that she actually calls her patients. I'm not sure I've ever spoken to a doctor over the phone before. It's the assistants or make an appointment. I also expect to wait up to hours for any appointment. The doctors for whom I have to wait the longest are actually usually the best. Not just because they are the nicest to be patient with the patients, but because they are listening.
Oh, and the blood test was a false positive. My son is fine.
- Sally
The perfect human being is uninteresting. - Joseph Campbell
I am so sorry you had to hear something like that over the phone. Thank God everything turned out alright for you and your son!
My late aunt had a horrible experience with the doctor in person. She went in because she had pain under her arm, and had tests performed. She was called back in for the results and the doctor coldly told her she had stage IV cancer. That was it. He utter the words and left the room. He did not allow her to ask questions, or give any sort of comfort. He just left her in the room totally shocked and devastated. She told my mom that he treated her like she had the plague or something. She had to go home and look it up, to find out her prognosis. She lived in a very rural area, so she had to travel very far to find another doctor. Luckily she was able to travel and get treatment. Unfortunately she did not win her battle.
Unfortunately there are some people who simply shouldn't be doctors. I understand not wanting to be too emotional, but some bedside manner should be present. Especially when you are giving the patient such devastating, life altering news.
My Mom went through a Breast Cancer scare. A lump was discovered in her right breast. Automatically the Doctor said it's "most likely malignant" and left it at that. *rolls eyes* this was before even having a Biopsy performed!! My Mother had the lump removed and it wasn't Malignant thank God! But I will never, ever, forget how it turned my famuily's life upside down. I would cry myself to sleep at night worrying if she had Breast Cancer. Saint, I'm so sorry your Aunt went through such a terrible experience! You are absolutely right. There is so much more to being a Doctor then just being Clnical and cold!
~I love the rhythm it is my methoood!~
Thank you for you kind words.
I am sorry to hear about your mother's horrible experience.
I am truly glad to hear that her lump wasn't malignant.
I wish you both all the best.
Internet MD ratings are a joke. It takes a certain kind of person who enjoys anonymity to go online to rate anything in healthcare. To assume something about someone from an Internet site is really just pathetic and sad.
share
Here's a GOOD Doctor story:
I had to be on a waiting list for three years, before my Doctor started taking new patients, but I didn't mind. He was recommended by people I trusted.
He was also frequently late. but we were all given the option to wait and/or reschedule. I usually waited, and always brought a book along just in case.
Do you want to know why I was so patient?
My Doctor was an OB/GYN, and babies don't have calendars and can't tell time.
His happiness was contagious: Is it any wonder that he had a waiting list?
BTW: He delivered My employer's twins! (VBG)
"I do hope he won't upset Henry.."
You're right. She acted like a complete, judgmental b*tch when they had a discussion about home birth on the show.
There's even more reviews about her here - http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/masterson-lisa-md-santa-monica