Dr. Abdul R Barakat, MD

I actually reported him to the state medical board for incompetence. Text of the report, which explains my experience: I was referred to Dr. Barakat by my PCP for treatment of renewed pain from a previously extruded C6-C7 disc. (Initial problem/treatment had occurred ~2 years prior, treated by a specialist who has since closed, hence the referral to Barakat.) Despite being clear in my explanation of the problem and repeating myself numerous times, Dr. Barakat left me with the impression that he didn't fully understand the problem or the timeline I gave. I was also very confused about his insistence on using the initial MRI done when I was treated 2 years ago. When I asked if something so old would be relevant, he shrugged it off and said there wouldn't be much difference, despite me having said numerous times that this time around, while yes the pain was enough to seek treatment, was nowhere near as bad as the first time, which made me skeptical, but I shrugged it off, keeping the mentality of 'as long as he can give me the epidural he recommended and take the pain away, it's fine.' However his incompetence led to the events that I'm now reporting. When I went in for the epidural he had agreed to give me, he came in to the procedure room and asked how my pain was. I stated the same thing I had been since the beginning-that the pain waxed and waned depending on day/time of day, position, and activity, and at that moment just sitting there it wasn't too bad but again, like I had said previously, moving in certain positions caused it to spike. While saying this, I moved my head around a little as an example-more to emphasize the point, being an expressive person, than to actually move in a way to exacerbate the pain. This caused Dr. Barakat to pause-apparently the range of movement he saw (despite being the same range of movement I displayed on my own in the initial examination) gave him the impression I didn't need the shot. I asked him how this could be, since I had been saying the same things the whole time, and had displayed the same range of movement on my own the whole time. He reiterated that someone with the ROM I just displayed 'doesn't have a disc problem' and doesn't need an epidural, and that he didn't want to cause more harm by providing unnecessary treatment. I can *completely* understand the sentiment, however if Dr. Barakat were actually competent, this scenario would have never unfolded. If he had actually *listened* rather than talked over me, actually ordered a current MRI rather than relying on outdated radiology, then...well who's to say whether he would have still recommended an epidural, but the point is, I'd have received proper treatment rather than an outright denial-no offer of referral or alternate treatment was made until later, after I pushed, which I'll get to in a moment. In any case, I asked him what I was supposed to do, because I'm now going to go home with the knowledge the pain will get worse as the day goes on, as it does, like I'd described to him, again, numerous times. He again reiterates he doesn't want to cause more harm by doing an unnecessary procedure, and then launches into what is essentially complaining about how he won't make money today due to not doing the procedure, *while* making physical contact that left me very uncomfortable-he put his face very close to mine, while placing his hands above my knees-it seemed a poorly executed attempt to garner familiarity and empathy, but was far too inappropriate given A) this was only the second time I'd seen the man and B) the subject he was talking about. To be perfectly candid: I mean really, you're going to try and spin a sob story to an angry and in pain patient about how you're losing out on a check because of your own incompetence, *while* making inappropriate contact? Moving on-I again asked what I was supposed to do now, reiterating I'd told him the same things about my symptoms from the beginning and I now have to deal with the pain longer because of his refusal to treat me. He decided to do another quick examination, part of which-the same as the first examination-included him moving my head in different directions and asking if it hurt. Same as the first time, I said yes to every position he moved it in-and of note, reclining in bed now, writing this report, I can feel the pain, when before this was a 'safe' position with no pain experienced. I can only attribute this to the way he moved my head around during his re examination, so he did, in fact, cause more harm in the end. Anyway, he still refused the epidural, and then asked me who gave me the shot before. I told him (and of note, the physician who actually gave me the shot last time is not the same as the now-closed specialist who managed the overall case), and he asked why I didn't go there, and I told him they just gave me the shot, they didn't manage the overall case, that was the specialist who closed. He asked who referred me to him, and I told him my PCP, he asked for their info, said he'd call as soon as I walked out, and to call them to work out further treatment. I then left the office, went home, and am now awaiting whatever comes next. The level of incompetence and unprofessionalism I experienced with Dr. Barakat is a definitive first in my nearly 32 years of life-I've had doctors I've disliked for various reasons, but never one so bad I felt the need to actually report them to a state's medical board.

Awesome professional and caring

I've seen this so called Doctor on two occasions. He's has no clue when it comes to pain management . My experience he's not more than a methadone pusher..If you suffer from pain of any kind this guy is not a true Doctor . He encourages his new patients to use methadone he can't even read MRI films. I feel because I would not use methadone he became rude and the visit came to a close. I drove an hour to see this guy, and on the second visit he said due to my past use of minimal pain killers to treat a spine injury I needed to try methadone. When I mentioned I had used Suboxone in the past it was only then he mentioned he prescribes that as well..yet he had no clue about how it works, stating to me that you can go from suboxone to pain killers and back again,due to the fact I needed surgery. So if you suffer from constant pain this guy is worthless don't waste your time ..concerned former patient ...

He is an excellent doctor and has helped me a lot. I will go back to him.

I was sent to Dr Barakat because I had a severe headache after the birth of my child. I did not know at the time it was a spinal headache from the epidural. The hospital sent me to this horrible doctor, who treated me as if I was faking the whole thing (probably coached from the hospital to do so since they said the epidural went PERFECTLY). A week after living in pain with the headache, I finally went to another hospital, not where my son was born, and a compassionate doctor helped me and DID acknowledge it was in fact a spinal headache, caused by the epidural. I would not recommend this doctor to my worst enemy. The hospital experience and my experience with Dr. Barakat made the experience of having my first child not as enjoyable, which is unfortunate. I felt like maybe the hospital and Dr. Barakat thought I was a drug addict seeking pain medication. That is how they made me feel. It was horrible! The wait time was pretty long too....tons of people in the waiting area.