Dr. David Alan Rusk, MD

I have had great service at Pediatric Associates until tonight. I called late at night and spoke with a doctor on call whom I had never spoke with before. The information was helpful but he sounded very rude which made me question his integrity. It was hard to tell if he truly wanted to help...or if he just wanted to get me off the phone. Upon picking up the phone he gave no greeting and simply stated his name. When I explained my son's symptoms I was told that there is no reason to ever check his temperature unless he feels hot because my reading will be wrong. I explained my reasoning, being that it was in the discharge instructions but he repeated himself stating that there is never a reason to check unless he feels hot. He is short and gives no explanation and the call ends rather quickly Several minutes later I receive a call back with a nice greeting, and he follows up with some questions and gives a good explanation. It was like a speaking with a different doctor, like night… and day. I'm not sure why the tone of the first call was so rude but it was very upsetting and it left me wondering if I could trust his advice at all. Knowledge is very important, but so is bedside manor. Two stars for the knowledge but the bedside manor needs work.

My son(4 years of age) hasn't had a bowel movement in 13 days so I called Pediatric Associates on- call system. I unfortunately had Dr. Rusk answer the phone and sarcastically ask me if he was a breast fed baby without asking his age. I said he was 4. He then asked me why I was calling him at 6:30 on a Sunday morning. I have talked to their office on Day 7 and Day 10 without any good results from my primary doctor. I just think Dr. Rusk could have treated me better.