Dr. Douglas Don Notman, MD

Dr. Notman is a wonderful doctor. Unfortunately, he retired in Dec 2014. He spent a lot of time with me at the initial appointment, making sure he understood my issues. On subsequent visits, the appointments were timely and informative.

Dr. Notman is a patient focused physician offering straight forward answers for a better understanding of treatment options. His attention to cost-effective health care and prevention counseling is extraordinary.

Patient communication skills are limited. If you want a doctor who tells you what to do, and you don't ask questions, this is the doctor for you. "Just do what I tell you." Knows his field, but does not like questions, will not consider individual patient metabolism or issues. Practices for "most of my patients" rather than the individual.

Not up with New findings.

I saw him after testing by my primary revealed problems. Unfortunately, he doesn't listen, doesn't believe results of any tests he hasn't ordered personally, diagnoses without examining or talking to the patient (diagnosis, by the way, turned out to be completely incorrect), more interested in impressing the student doctor with him than in the patient. When I answered the couple questions he did ask me, he condescendingly blew off my answers because the facts didn't agree with his theories. THis guy should have retired years ago; given his pompous, god-complex, he probably should never have been in medicine at all. Maybe his attitude went down OK in the "olden days" or works with some elderly patients who still actually believe docs are infallible but today's patients are generally better educated about their health issues and treatments and won't tolerate this jerk. Get rid of him!

My experience with Dr. Notman was very similar. He's a rude, condescending, arrogant doctor with an obvious God complex. I went to his office a couple of months ago, very sick with thyroid nodules and multiple health problems related to the endocrine system. In a single ten minute visit he gave a cursory glance at my careful documentation, dismissed a lifetime of endocrine issues, performed a shockingly basic exam, didn't even ask me about my health history or current symptoms, and told me that I'm 'just fine' (in spite of the fact that I'm crippled up with pain, my hair is falling out, etc.) He also dismissed my perfectly legitimate concerns about a diagnostic procedure and behaved as though my concerns were irrational and ridiculous. This is completely unacceptable behavior from a doctor, and I don't care how sterling his credentials are. I was NOT impressed and left the office in tears, unhappy to be dismissed in such a rude manner when my health is obviously deteriorating. Going… back in six months for a follow up visit, and if his bedside manner has not improved then I'll find a doctor with a better attitude who treats his patients like human beings instead of inconveniences. I'm praying that I don't develop more serious health problems in the interim.

Dr Notman was very knowledgeable in diagnosing and recommending my initial thyroid issue. His advice and follow up with a fine surgeon was impressive...however, once my thyroid was removed the good doctor was replaced by a pompous dictator that scoffed at my questions (ever heard that there isn't a stupid question?...mine obviously were!) and I realized that I wasn't really allowed to have an opinion despite the fact that my life depends on medicine and care now that I have no thyroid! Any attempt at understanding the effects to the rest of my system (there were big changes after the surgery that weren't directly connected to thyroid but I'm sure it played a secondary roll) I was patronizingly answered in a way that inferred that I didn't understand enough to ask. I just had an annual check up (3rd Yr) and was still signing the information sheet when the Doctor came in, asked me two standard questions, felt my neck, tapped my knee reflexes and said I was done...all before I was done… signing my name and date! It is a shame that this man's wealth of knowledge is being held captive by his ego because the rest of us could benefit by it if it were shared in a less demeaning manner. When addressing OUR concerns it should be an educational process. No I don't know as much as Dr Notman...that's why I pay big money...he took years to learn what I need to know, however, I am by far an uneducated person...I have years of learning that I wouldn't assume someone not in my position would know. I learned so I can share with someone who didn't have time to learn what I know and they in turn can share with me what I have not YET learned. In fairness, Dr Notman did share very helpful information initially but it was what he wanted me to know with no time for clarification.

I was very ill with a low thyroid and almost died. Dr. Notman was the only person that knew what I needed and helped me get better. He even gave me his personal phone number because I was so sick and he was worried. No, he doesn't have the best bedside manners, but he is truly a knowledgeable man and I recommed him to anyone.

I am sure Dr. Notman is a very qualified Dr. when it comes to endcrinology... however... if you are looking for somebody to talk to you about your disease then I do not suggest hiring him as your Dr. He does not answer direct questions and seems annoyed when you ask him anything. The only time I learned anything about my condition was when he had interns in the room with him... then he would elaborate a little bit so they knew what was going on. Also, expect to wait at least 45 minutes for every visit... he is always running behind.

Dr. Notman is and excellent Endo. I'm dealing with a reoccurance of thyroid cancer and he's been very responsive. His bedside manners are not that great and asking questions can be tricky. So if your looking for a great conversationalist, he's not the doctor for you.