Dr. Alexandre Miguel Benjo, MD

I’d make it brutal through the facts, not insults. That has a much better chance of surviving moderation, and readers are more likely to take it seriously. I also corrected the fist detail. My experience with Dr. Benjo was, without question, the worst experience I have ever had with a physician. I came to him immediately following one of the most frightening experiences of my life: a heart attack that required a stent. I expected basic compassion, clear answers, and guidance about what I should expect going forward. Instead, I left feeling dismissed, intimidated, and significantly more concerned than when I arrived. I explained that I was experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks that had become substantially worse since my heart attack. When I expressed my concerns, he immediately told me anxiety was not his expertise. He suggested a few options, and when I explained that those had not worked for me, I felt his attitude became increasingly dismissive. I was not asking him to be… a mental health specialist. I was asking my cardiologist questions about how severe panic attacks could affect my heart and newly placed stent after a heart attack. I specifically asked what would happen if I experienced another major panic attack and could not control it, and whether that could negatively affect my heart or stent. He looked me in the eye and told me I would be fine. His advice was that if I had another panic attack, I should call an ambulance and they would deal with it. What happened at the end of the appointment was unlike anything I have ever experienced in a medical office. Dr. Benjo stood up, stood over me, and used his closed fist to physically hold the door shut while speaking to me. He told me my questions were rude, accused me of disrespecting him because I pushed back when I did not believe something had been adequately explained, and told me he would no longer see me because I would not listen to what he had to say. To be clear, I was a patient who had just suffered a heart attack and had a stent placed, asking questions because I was frightened and trying to understand what was happening with my own health. I cannot imagine a less compassionate way for a physician to handle a patient in that situation. I also left without the level of guidance I expected about what to watch for or what I should be doing going forward. Instead of leaving my cardiologist feeling educated and reassured, I left feeling more confused, more anxious, and with less confidence about what I was supposed to do if something went wrong. He also made a point of telling me that he was the only cardiologist in town. Given the context of the conversation, I found that statement particularly troubling. A patient should never feel that asking questions or requesting clarification could jeopardize their ability to receive continued care. I understand that physicians are busy and that not every doctor and patient will be a good personality match. This went far beyond a personality difference for me. I found the lack of compassion, the dismissive responses to legitimate questions following a heart attack, and especially the manner in which the appointment ended completely unacceptable. I would never willingly put myself or someone I care about in this physician’s care based on my experience. If you are recovering from a heart attack, frightened about your condition, or simply expect to be able to ask your cardiologist questions without being made to feel like a problem for doing so, I strongly recommend considering your other options. I walked into that office looking for medical guidance and reassurance after a heart attack. I walked out feeling intimidated, dismissed, and abandoned by the physician who was supposed to be helping guide my cardiac recovery. Absolutely the worst medical experience of my life.

Unable diagnose heart attack after five hours went to Kingman only took them 30min to find problem

Does anyone know if Dr. Benjo is practicing in Tucson?

Is this the Dr. Benjo that just left Pima Heart? Is this his new location? I want to continue with him as my cardiologist.