Dr. Jennifer Ann Liebenthal, MD

I was a patient of this provider for nearly two years for evaluation of chronic fatigue and possible sleep-disordered breathing. Over time, I observed a consistent pattern of care that did not feel collaborative. Appointments were frequently delayed by 30 minutes or more without acknowledgment or apology. Discussions often felt narrowly focused on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), despite my longstanding history of fatigue dating back to the 1990s and multiple prior in-lab sleep studies that did not demonstrate significant OSA. CPAP therapy was prescribed following an atypical home sleep study without a detailed discussion of the study findings or a shared decision-making conversation. I only learned that CPAP had been ordered when the medical equipment company contacted me to inform me I was out of network. When I raised concerns about the validity of the home study and requested a repeat in-lab study, I did not feel those concerns were meaningfully addressed. After asking for… further clarification and additional evaluation, my wakefulness medication prescription — which I had been prescribed by a prior provider and on for over five years — was discontinued. Urine drug testing was also ordered without prior discussion. I became aware of this while at my oncologist’s office for routine bloodwork, which was both confusing and distressing. I was not given an explanation beforehand regarding the rationale for this testing. At my most recent visit, I was told I did not have a sleep disorder that the clinic would continue to manage and was advised to seek a second opinion. No specific management plan or next steps were discussed. The clinical note later stated that I disagreed with the sleep study results or plan of care, which was inaccurate; I had been seeking clarification because no plan had been presented. This provider may be appropriate for straightforward cases of obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with complex, long-standing fatigue or overlapping autonomic and pain conditions may wish to see a different provider to ensure their concerns will be approached with curiosity, collaboration, and a broader diagnostic framework.

She types instead of listens -- accurate notes are important, but not more important than the person putting sitting across from her. She tells me (what she thinks are) my symptoms rather than asks me what I've experienced. She seems to decide next steps before talking to me. At one point, she was implementing a course of action on her laptop and I had to say "STOP" to get her to hear about certain of my symptoms. Once she heard me, she decided on a different path. This last point is somewhat anecdotal - more than once I've felt as though she is trying to get me to accept additional services that I don't need.

I had high hopes for her ability as a doctor trying to treat my migraines. There were a couple of issues I had the first she wasn't willing to think outside the box for treatments. I have been in various triptans all of which failed at some point during the treatment. I did the research and presented an alternative which she would not even consider. The most glaring issue I have is the fact she diminished my migraines to "just a headache" her exact words. A resident doctor was asking if he could come and sit in and she replied"it's just a headache." Anything she may have said to me after that point I simply didn't want to hear. Anyone who has ever had a migraine well know it is not just a headache. If I could have given her zero stars I would have for that comment alone.

No apology or explanation for being 40 minutes late for my appointment. She was brusque and coldly clinical. She completed an oral exam with a wooden tongue depressor that I thought would loosen my fillings. She assumed I knew the jargon of her specialty that left me trying to deduce her explanations. Her rapid fire approach left little time for questions. Her browbeating during the exam was unconscionable. The most disappointing 'specialists' I've met in the Lahey system.