Doctor at Münchner Freiheit 12

Just got back from visiting a Hausärztin/Internistin... who shouted at me, told me to go elsewhere and reduced me to tears! Am I allowed to name her on here? If so, I will - I really wouldn't want anyone else to go through that, and she said she had too many patients anyway! So here's the rant:

I had to get some tests done prior to an operation next week and didn't have a GP, so I called this one two weeks ago and made an appointment - specifically stating that I needed pre-op tests and a general examination. When I got there, I waited over 2 hours in a room so packed that people were standing, only to be told by her that this wasn't a lab appointment, so I'd have to come back. I pushed a bit and said I really needed at least one of the results, as I have another ongoing problem - so she did it but said I would still have to come back the next week, as the results would be too old to use for the operation.

So I made another appointment for today, to discuss the first results and have the next lot of tests done. When I got there, they only had me down for tests, no consultation. Then there was a lot of confusion as to whether I needed an ECG, and one receptionist saw that I'd already had tests the week before and tried to tell me I didn't need any more - she wouldn't believe me that the doctor said the results were too old! She was very unfriendly and this whole discussion took place in the middle of a crowded waiting room, so that was embarrassing. Finally they agreed to let me see the doctor, but I had to wait almost 2 hours again - and since I wasn't allowed to eat or drink from the night before and have problems with my blood sugar levels (the other reason I was there), that was a bit of an endurance test in itself.

When I did get to see her, the first thing the doctor said was that I'd have to come back AGAIN for the second test results and examination. So I asked whether she could just do the examination this morning as arranged (we're only talking blood pressure and listening to chest here!), and I could just pick up the results from reception, since the first ones were fine and it was unlikely that that would change. Her reply? That I had "unbelievable expectations", I was inconsiderate, I couldn't just march in and mess up their system, there were other patients in the place too and she was working flat out, etc. etc. At this point she had to go out for something and started filing my operation consent form in my notes, so I said I'd need it back - and she told me not to make such a drama out of it! She then reappeared and demanded to know why I hadn't got ready for the examination, despite initially saying she wasn't going to do one. She said I was wasting her time, as she liked to process patients as quickly as possible and I should think of people with serious problems (suspected diabetes and a forthcoming operation obviously not being grounds enough to visit her). And she rounded it all off by saying that if I didn't like it, I should find another doctor!

I stayed calm as long as I could, but she was really SO rude, I ended up telling her that if a doctor spoke to a patient like that in England, they'd get struck off! I also said I would appreciate it if she would stop being agressive and discuss my problem, and that I was extremely unimpressed by her attitude and the inefficiency of the staff. But then I spoiled it all by bursting into tears! It was nearly lunchtime and I really have to eat regularly to control my blood sugar, so I was feeling terrible anyway and her shouting like that was just too much. It's bad enough having to have an operation (my first ever) in a foreign country... why can't they at least be polite? I would have swallowed the inefficiency and inconvenience, and even come back again if I'd had to - but why not just explain nicely? Surely doctors should be a bit more caring? I'm really upset about it, I feel terrible now. And the worst thing is, I STILL have to go back for those test results!

Post it so we know!

name & shame

Hi Tiggi, yeah you should definitely post the name so we avoid her!! As for doctors in Germany: not all are rude, but they are not very nice either...Good luck for your next visit!

Dr Reiger @ 4 Ledererstr. I can highly recommend

wow, poor you, Tiggi
she sounds like a right cowbag
you should definitely name and shame, i reckon

I think you should PM Editor Bob as it may be a legal issue.

You may want to release the name to those who PM you though.

why would it be a legal issue. The confidentiality issue is only in terms of the doctor not divulging patient details, not the other way around

I don't see the problem with posting the name. Bit like saying that the customer service in Saturn is fucking abysmal!

Libel laws.

when is your op? is there still time to go to a different GP (can recommend you mine if you need, she's lovely) that's what I'd do.
and I'd love to know the name of your evil cowbag doctor...pm me if necessary! wot a rotten way to treat you!

It's not libel if it's true.

woof.

But how is Editor Bob to know that??
Maybe he could ask here!

Actually
English law allows actions for defamation of character to be brought in the High Court for any published statements which defame a named or identifiable individual or individuals in a manner which causes them loss in their trade or profession, or causes a reasonable person to think worse of him, her or them.

If it is just a point of view then I think you would be hard pushed to win the case!
Although I am sure our resident lawyer would be able to give better advice

...and German law???

so all the posts about the bad service etc at Tengelmann blah blah are illegal?

Thanks all. I'm cautious about revealing the name because I just don't know enough about libel laws. Everything I wrote is true, but obviously I don't want to end up with some legal battle on my hands! I will PM Editor Bob later - I guess this won't be the first time this issue has come up?

I think it's one thing to say that Tengelmann cashiers are rude or service at Saturn is abysmal, but another to publish "I was served by Mr. X in Tengelmann today, who said A, B and C to me" on a public forum. I guess that's where the "named or identifiable individual or individuals" bit comes in - which is what this would be. I'm pretty sure there's nothing to stop me putting details in PMs though, which I'd be happy to do. And perhaps I could publish the area, so if anyone was looking for that kind of doctor around there, they could get in touch. But I'll check with EB.

Thanks Moonboot and Topsy! That made me feel better. The tests are done now, but I'll definitely be looking for a new GP anyway, so Moonboot it would be great to have your info. Timmeh, is your Dr. Reiger a GP or an internist or both? Haven't had very good experiences with doctors here so far (though that was by far the worst), so personal recommendations seem like a good idea from now on. Not that I'm trying to turn this into a "Where can I find a good doctor in Munich" thread though! *hurries off to check out search function*

@Tiggi
Good luck with the operation!

Thanks Kay!

Be extremely cautious naming names here or anywhere in this country. The reason they go in for this personal liability insurance is because you can be sued for up to €50,000 for making libelous claims against someone else. I assure you that your doktor knows this, and regardless of what Dawg says, do you really want to go to court to prove that she is a twit?

Think, for a moment, about the laws regarding (for example) calling a policeman a Nazi... same goes for calling this doctor (or anyone here) incompetent, etc.

Post the address without the name attached to it.. Nobody was actually "named", and we still know who/where to avoid... Problem Solved..

Ok, got the go-ahead from Editor Bob. But then I saw Darkknight's post, and that seems like the best idea.

So, shaming-but-not-naming:

The Internistin and Allgemeinärztin at Münchner Freiheit 12

Since I'm publishing details, I suppose I ought to say in her defence that she did get a lot nicer once I was actually crying, and gave me a proper consultation after that, even supplying a blood sugar testing kit on loan. She came nowhere near apologising, but did say she was "sehr aufgeregt" because there were a lot of patients there and she'd just had to deal with a broken finger?!

Also the lab assistant tried to be nice afterwards (if you like having your face squeezed like a kid) and said she'd make sure she saw me straight away the next time. Still not going back after I've collected the results though, and I wouldn't advise anyone else to go near the place.

Of course, there are such things as reviews and critiques. You can even buy magazines full of them. Newspapers have restaurant reviews all the time, and they're not all positive either.

Anyway, this solutions is fine, and I'll avoid the place too.

Hi Tiggy!

I was very sad to read your post regarding your unforgiveable treatment. As you say, its bad enough being a stranger in a country and being treated in a manner such as that and when you are sick and in need of medical attention.

I had a similar episode with (not the Doctor herself) but with her bavarian receptionist.

I too will only visit Doctors (not that I have had to this time round) that are recommended to me.

I wish you all the best with your op!

I've been to several docs here. Some were incompetent, some were "knowitalls" and incompetent, but others were very good and had a clean office with prompt service.

My advice is, ask on TT or other friends you know before going to ANY doctor. Chances are, someone English-speaking needed the same type of doc as you at some point. Good luck!

Wishing you well for the op. Sorry to hear that you had to go through so much agro beforehand. Hang in there. I don't know where you live or if you need an English speaking GP, but I know a lovely German speaking GP in Untergiesing if this is convenient for you. (not an internist though). Let me know if you want his details.

Gute besserung!

Is she not a fucking doctor? That's her job. Idiot. People like that make me seethe. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, as my mum loves to tell me.

I'll echo Timmeh's post and recommend Dr Reiger and his practice is right near the Hofbtbrauhaus, so you can go for a beer afterwards.

Yes, but is his receptionist Bavarian???

The diabetes clinic at Rindermarkt mentioned in this thread did my pre-OP medical tests (was for dental work under full anaesthetic) and were fast and very friendly. Big thumbs up from me for them.
Sad to hear about that shoddy treatment though!

Well, I think UrbanAngel and her Mum sum it up nicely!

@ dazzled, thanks - interesting to hear you had a crap time there too. There was another woman who had a problem at reception as well when I was there, and you could hear them shouting at people on the phone from the waiting room! Heart-warming.

@ Dame Edna, that's quite far out of my way for a GP, but thanks. Had a few recommendations now, so I'm sure I'll find a decent one eventually!

@ Katrina, can you go to this clinic if you just have related problems? It doesn't seem like I have diabetes from the tests so far, but my blood sugar is extremely unstable and drops suddenly with almost no warning. When I've used this self-testing kit for a while, I want to take the results to a different Internist - or maybe this clinic...? Is it self-referring, or would I need to get another doctor to approve it? I would just like to get some proper advice from someone competent and polite!

Hey Tiggi, I'm privat not Kassen so I referred myself. If you have a referral to an internist per se, I think you can transfer it but someone else who is state-insured will be able to tell you.
The staff are very nice (don_riina's lady goes there too) and yes they don't just do diabetes but also other endocrine disorders (I'm a pre-stage Type 2 - I don't actually have full diabetes but am at high risk - due to a related condition).

Id love the name - Please - Id organise a whole group of friends to go down there and make an appointment sit there and not listen to the call of NEXT! he hehe heee and when it finally gets tot he 10th friend we will turn and do a sing and dance!

SO PLEASE!!! PM ME!

Thanks Katrina. It just depends whether the clinic itself accepts Kassen then. Will look into it.

Er, Robbie, I don't know whether to be touched or alarmed...

Yeah, flash-crowd the surgery. Can't really be done, but the prospect is amusing.

I must say I am rather apalled at the way Tiggi was treated at this clinic!!!

I must meet Tiggi again to make sure I know where this horrible place is and NEVER go there.

Can anyone recommend a good doctor in Unterhaching area?? Someone who speaks English would be good.

Thanks
Sarah

I have generally had good experiences with doctors, but extremely bad experiences with their receptionists and the general patient experience. Once you finally get to the doctor they are usually nice but rushed.

You are generally treated completely without respect and you essentially have no rights in the eyes of the receptionists and doctor's assistents.

I think it's important to call them on this and not allow them to continue to treat people this way. It doesn't have to be like this. For example, there's a (somewhat pricey) dentist at Tal that is really nice, and the receptionists are very friendly.

I have had mixed experiences with doctors in Germany - some are extremely good and others are just downright mean greedy assholes. first the good:

Went to see a lad - had a guess but didnt know what was what - brought me in his car to go see his professor mate ... who fixed me up in 5 minutes flat!
Did I forget the best part - didnt charge me a penny!

Second one (now) - skin professional recommended by someone on TT here - told me she couldnt help me and suggested I go see her mate just down the hall - grand I thought - no one in the surgery either so we chatted shit for 15 mins or so. Bitch had the cheek to charge me to tell me she couldnt help me... good luck gettin me to pay or that (have received notcie from factors and lookin forward to my day in court if needs be...hehe).

http://branchenbuch.portal.muenchen.de/det...&main:id=818170

Münchner Freiheit 12 eh..VERY interesting. Unless there are more than one in that building then she used to be mine too. (3rd floor..or maybe fourth..)..nice Australian photos on the walls in the hallway? Doc has long hair???

I went to her for several years and she was fine. In fact I never actually had a problem with the Dr. herself. But increasingly I did with the receptionists - and suddenly the full waiting room (never used to be like that; maybe since they got money cuts they pack them in).

I had visits similar to yours - waited until 11:30 on an empty stomach (I started work at 7:00 at the time, and they gave me an appointment for an EKG and at the same time they would take my blood...normally a bloddtest I would get done around 8:00 when they first open so I can then finally eat something). So when I got there - like you hungry and scratchy and off work in the middle of the day, I was told the EKGs can only be done in the afternoon, I'd need another appointment but they' take my blood for me - and of course I'd need another appointment to get the results of that. At which point I exploded (my user name ruapahu is a very active volcano in NZ which I occasionally identify with!) and the one in tears was the receptionist, not me. Told them to fuck off, I could manage without the blood test and the EKG. I have never been back (had similar, but not as extreme, experiences there with other tests).

Not that this helps your actual problem, Tiggi, but at least you know that it's not only you!

Thanks ruapehu... yes, that's the same doctor. And receptionists, no doubt! Would really advise everyone to steer well clear of this place - they are rude, contemptuous, chronically disorganised and display an utter disregard for the wellbeing of their patients.

(I'm SO over it, obviously! )