Dr. Joseph Matthew Manchester, DO

Dr. Joseph Manchester had no compassion. I had a severe allergy and hives to something unknown and I went to Putnam Hospital Emergency 2 days after I had been seen at another Urgent care because my throat felt like it was closing, it was very sore and it really hurt when I swallowed. As soon as he came in the room I was holding my throat because it would hurt when I swallow and he said "you were just fine before I came in" " you need to relax". You are hyperventilating for no reason. He barely listened to me and only asked if I had any serious health issues like diabetes which to my knowledge I denied. I was very surprised that as a new patient I wasn't asked to fill out a health history questionnaire to get a better understanding of what could be going on. I was given 3 different shots ( benadryl, a steroid and another to ease the pain in my throat). They did a swab of my throat to check for strep and shortly after they swabbed my throat a second time. The strep rapid result came… back negative and I'm waiting to see if the other swab they sent out to the lab has a different result. He ordered an xray of my neck and said the xray showed no obstructions to my airway, I had some other underligned isues but my airway is clear so that's good. However, he never shared what the other issues were. I downloaded the xray report and it that there is mild smooth reversal of the normal cervical lordosis which may be positional or related to muscle spasm. There is degenerative disc space narrowing at C3-4, C4-5, C5-6. Very important information that he never shared with me or said I should consult a doctor who specializes in that area so I can go for treatment. It felt like a drive through visit. Today, I'm having trouble swallowing things like water. It feels like I have air trapped and it doesn't allow my drink or food to go down and without a burning sensation. I'm really concerned because I have a carotid stent surgery next week and I want to be sure I will be ok to proceed. Dr. Joseph Manchester was not very compassionate at all and should really consider changing his know it all, cocky attitude if he is to remain in healthcare.

Came off as arrogant very know it all cocky attitude. Did not help explain our situation past his “100 % correct” diagnosis. Wouldn’t listen to us at all and even lectured us atone point. Worst bedside manner I’ve ever seen