Dr. Antonio Amin Achkar, MD

I was referred to Achkar by my PCP because she thought I "might do very well on Plaquenil" related to a Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis my PCP had determined. I was NOT seeking any medications but I followed my PCP's recommendation and attended an appt. with Achkar. I waited in the exam room for 40 minutes before Achkar deigned to appear. He was dismissive and disrespectful throughout. He would ask questions and then interrupt with more questions, none of which I got the chance to answer. He inferred my symptoms were "all in my head" or really not happening or not worth exploring. He also inferred that I was med seeking when I specifically stated that I did NOT want any meds. He also stated that, according to my records, it appeared that I was "Dr. Shopping," and shouted at me when I reported that I was attending my appt. with him related to my PCP's recommendation and diagnosis of RA, and, one single appt. with another rheumatolgist 4 years before. I will never return to this… practitioner and I will take someone with me to all future medical appointments as this is not the first case of bad, dismissive, disrespectful behavior I've encountered within the medical establishment.

Cannot give diagnosis and believes everything is in my head because I have anxiety and depression. My pain has been 10 out of 10 and physician will not help control this. Says my case is tough just like all the other doctors I have seen. Advised that I just have to suffer. Waited a week for a call back over a problem. Very unhappy with the care I am receiving. I have been going through this for almost 2 years with no help from anyone in the UPMC system.

Dr. Achkar is very thorough and is very detail oriented. When he is with a patient you know that he is only concentrating on that patient and is analyzing every test and comment you make to ensure quality care.