Dr. Devaprabu J Abraham, MD

I was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer 8 years ago. Dr Abraham treated me conservatively to preserve my health. He has been kind, caring and patient with me. He is a great doctor and I refer people to him all the time.

I saw him after my initial diagnosis and was so happy with his treatment and how he kept me and my family informed. He answered all our questions no matter how many times we asked them. He really put us at ease.

At my appointment, Dr. Abraham bruskly told me that I had a different type of thyroid disease than the one I actually have. The latter was diagnosed by four other specialists and is supported by lab work and a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test. The former, his diagnosis, is inconsistent with those tests, especially the RAIU. He apparently didn't see those test results in my medical records. When I asked him questions about his diagnosis, he repeatedly said: "That's all behind you now. Don't worry about it." He appears to believe I don't need to know anything about this different diagnosis because I've already had a thyroidectomy and will not have symptoms in the future. He is missing the point. If a doctor diagnoses me with something, especially something that had a significant impact on my health for years, I want to know more about that thing. Perhaps I am simply putting the puzzle pieces together about my past (which he apparently doesn't value), but it's my prerogative to do… so as a patient. This is my life and my health, after all. And it's my appointment. I have the right to receive information about a *brand new* diagnosis, even for an issue that's now resolved, if that's important to me. (It is.) Instead, Dr. Abraham kept repeating the same two sentences every time I asked about the diagnosis he'd given me. "That's all behind you now. Don't worry about it." This isn't the right mantra for a doctor to have when talking with a patient. He also assumed I was anxious that my thyroid cancer would return. (I'm not.) I've been working with endocrinologists long enough with regard to this health issue that I understand there won't be a recurrence. I am also a medical writer who has enough health literacy to know not all cancers are the same or pose the same threat. Still, it didn't matter how many times I told Dr. Abraham that recurrence wasn't a concern for me. He kept telling me not to be anxious about it. Other issues with Dr. Abraham's communication style include repeatedly interrupting me when I asked questions and when he asked questions to which I attempted to respond. He seems to have a cognitive bias about patients being inherently unable to grasp even basic health information. Rather than hearing what I was actually saying, he would assume I misunderstood something as soon as I started speaking. He would then cut me off in order to correct the error I never made. In one instance, we went back and forth with my repeating exactly what he'd said only to have him say I didn't understand him. Then he would repeat exactly what I'd said. That is such a frustrating situation to be in as a patient: to feel unseen, unheard, demeaned. I have no patience for this level of care when I've experienced far better from other providers. I hope Dr. Abraham will consider learning about narrative medicine or another patient-focused approach to care. Even something in the area of engaged listening would be beneficial — for him and for his patients.

Dr. Abraham is very inconsiderate! He has cold bed side manner. He is very knowledgeable about everything that he has researched and runs all his patient care off of statistics and lab results. He refuses to listen when you have symptoms that he has never seen with treating thyroid cancer. When I would ask questions during our conversation, he snips back and treats you like a child with bad manners. I have symptoms after my thyroid surgery that are from an autoimmune disease and when I asked him about them at my post op appointment, he stated that it has nothing to do with my cancer and he couldn't help me. I asked him what I should do and he told me to find a joint doctor somewhere and left the room. I had my 12 year old daughter with me in that appointment, and she and I both cried when we left. She asked me, "Why would a doctor that is supposed to help you be so cold?" I didn't have an answer for her. Every appointment was like this. I do not recommend this doctor.

Dr. Abraham was very knowledgeable and kind our first visit. However, he has been a waist of my time. He did not order tests that needed to be done and did not communicate with other surgeons or with me well after appointments. I live in Idaho and it's hard to get my son to appointments in Salt Lake and he waisted our time on 3 different occasions. My sons life is at risk and he's on vacation and did not get his work completed before he left. He should think twice about taking on more patients. He is completely inconsiderate of people's time and lives.

I know others have said that he does not care but that is not true. You do have to probe him and ask questions. Every time I have had an appointment with him, he spent all the time needed to answer all my questions. When dealing with cancer it can be frustrating because we want the answers today but it takes time. Dr. Abraham does not want to over treat because of the long-term effects but if it is what you really want he may do it anyway unless he feels there is not benefits to it. My only complaint is his response time on my chart; it can take him a few days. At the same time he has also responded on Saturday and Sunday. I know he is overworked but, I'm not sure I would trust someone else as much as I do him. My suggestion when dealing with him is write down all your questions before your appointment, and probe him with your questions. When sending him an email do not make it lengthy; he does not have the time to read a full page. Ask a few questions and then ask other… questions a few days later.

This Dr. , in my opinion, has little compassion, empathy, or time, for his patients. Most of the time he doesn't even bother to come in the room and talk to me, just stands in the doorway like a salesman with some light chit chat and fills out the prescription. And if you're out of medication, good luck getting a response to get a refill without calling several times. In fact I have had him refuse a refill, even a temporary one, until I came in to see him. And by that I mean pay him. The prescription in that case hadn't changed in 20 years so it's not like there was any risk to extend the prescription for a month until I could make it into the office. After the appointment he never bothers to follow up on blood tests either. This is only my opinion and based off of my experiences. If I were you I'd find another Dr. I am.

Although Dr. Abraham came very highly recommended by other physicians, I have the feeling that he is a very knowledgeable researcher and doctor, but has no ability to actually deal with and treat patients. This is the only doctor I have actually "fired" during a visit, when I finally said to him, "You are not listening to me and I don't think you understand what I am saying." Even then, he did not seem to grasp that his lack of compassion was affecting the way he was providing care. He is rude, dismissive, condescending and argumentative. There are other endocrinologists in the area that care about their patients and don't just see them as a list of lab results and data.

Had me in tears 3 times during my first visit. No warmth or compassion. Seems to want to argue and not really tell you what is best for you. Very cold. Sits far away from you and acts as if he doesnt want to catch the disease you have.

Dr. Abraham seemed to do a complete check up on my referral for a thyroid nodule. I was able to do a biopsy the same day as my ultrasound which I appreciated. It did take 10 days to get the results of my biopsy and some confusion on follow up.