Dr. Helene A Emsellem, MD

The most difficult medical office staff I have ever dealt with. Patient care is a distant third (behind convenience and policy) Don't go here if you expect to be treated like an adult.

This really is a review of the office, rather than the doctor who I saw once. The place is an administrative disaster. Reports missing; the supposedly critical people often unavailable or out of the office entirely; promised calls to provide answers are not made; promised deadlines are not met; questions in emails go unanswered; directions and plans are reversed from communication to communication and appointment to appointment, with the only explanation being "I don't know why." Staff are polite each time, but completely ineffective. There is usually someone else who Iâ??m told holds the key to everything, but cannot be consulted. And that person is always another staff member, not even the doctor. Emsellem was great the first visit. I don't know whether she is unaware of these problems or just doesnâ??t know how to fix them. I canâ??t believe that she doesnâ??t care. Unfortunately, I would never recommend this practice to anyone though, since the doctor appears to play a… minimal role in the patient experience here. This is the only negative review I can recall writing about anything. But I am so frustrated.

This office operates like a factory--there is virtually no contact with the doctor. Forms must be completed and submitted even to get an appt. I had to submit the paperwork twice before it was acknowledged. Information about sleep studies is sent by email only--nobody to sit down and explain the process to you. Calls are not returned promptly. All apts are with practioners and all problems are referred to practioners only. My guess is that sleep apnea was once somewhat a rare speciality and this was the only game in town. Those days are long over. Despite having been initiallly diagnosed 8 years ago, and recently seen by the practioners at Dr. Emsellem's office, I am movinig quickly to a new doctor for some individual attention.

Dr. Emsellem does not follow up with patients. Her nurse practitioner told me to email any questions, and I did not receive responses to my messages. The office delayed sending prescriptions to my pharmacy and failed to order a CPAP mask from the supplier until I reminded Dr. Emsellem's staff two or three times.

When the DC area offers so many sleep centers, do yourself a favor and skip this one. Any claims to be caring and patient focused on their website do not play out in practice. You will not get to see or speak with the doctor after your initial visit--even if you are having interactions with medicines or other serious problems. This office seems more paranoid about potential legal problems than patient care. I was told there is nothing more we can do for you in my second appointment and they refused to prescribe to me or offer me any alternatives at the hint of interaction between my medications despite the fact the sleep medication was making a substantial difference in my quality of life. However, they will not hesitate to give you the runaround with lots of other doctors in attempts to shift liability and will make you sign lots of forms at every appointment.

After seeing Dr. Emsellem for my initial consultation I was passed onto her Physician Assistant who I saw for my next two appointments. My prescribed medicine was not working for me, so I decided to call and make an appointment with Dr. Emsellem. When I called I was told she does not normally see patients for follow-ups and they needed a reason as to why I wanted to see her. When I said I wanted to speak to the doctor personally about my case, I was told by the woman that she would have to talk to the doctor about scheduling and would get back to me. I called back a couple days later and not only had she not spoken to the doctor, but she claimed she did not have the doctors schedule. I have never spoken to a scheduler at a doctors office whom does not have the doctors schedule. If I had know I would have to be interviewed to see my own doctor I would have gone to another place. After that last call to the office I made an appointment with a Doctor at George Washington Hospital who… actually sees his patients. The facilities may be nice, but you can find the same treatment and comfort at a holiday inn.

After the initial appointment with Dr.Ensellem, she passes you off to her nursing staff and does not see you again.