Dr. Michelle L-Hung Lin, DO

My appointment with Dr. Michelle Lin at My Family Doc left me feeling rushed, dismissed, and unable to discuss one of the most serious reasons I had sought medical care. The main problems were that she abruptly limited me to three concerns without explaining that restriction in advance, firmly ended the discussion before I could disclose my history of domestic violence, and did not give me clear advance notice or a private opportunity to decline the presence of a male student. My appointment was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. I arrived at 3:00, had already completed the online paperwork, and promptly completed the additional paperwork given to me at the office. The staff brought me into an examination room very quickly, which I appreciated. At approximately 4:30, Dr. Lin entered the exam room and asked what brought me in. I explained that I had not seen a doctor in about five years, that this was my first medical appointment in a long time, and that I was prepared to follow her guidance… regarding what needed to be addressed. She asked whether I had any questions or whether there was anything she should know, so I referred to a list of five concerns I had prepared. I began with what I believed were the smaller concerns: a new raised spot on my leg and my history of high testosterone. At that point, Dr. Lin told me I could discuss “one more thing.” I was confused and asked whether she meant I was only allowed to mention one additional concern. She said yes. Had I been informed beforehand, or even at the beginning of the appointment, that I would only be permitted to discuss three concerns, I would have prioritized them differently. One of the primary reasons I sought medical care was that I had experienced domestic violence and wanted to discuss whether I needed to be medically evaluated. However, I had also been vomiting repeatedly during the previous week, had very little appetite, and ordinarily never vomit. Because those symptoms were immediate and concerning, I used my final permitted concern to discuss them. I then asked whether I could briefly mention one additional issue. Before I could explain that it involved domestic violence, Dr. Lin responded that she had other patients waiting for her. I understand that doctors have schedules and other patients, but I was also a patient who had been waiting for her. I waited a month for this appointment, arrived an hour early, completed all requested paperwork, and waited until approximately 4:30 to see her. I left the building by 4:47. I was also not given clear advance notice or a private, meaningful opportunity to decline the presence of the male student. Given the sensitive nature of what I intended to discuss, I feel I should have been asked directly and privately before he entered or remained in the room. I understand that certain medical concerns may require separate appointments. Had Dr. Lin listened to the full list, helped me prioritize it, and explained that we would need to schedule a follow-up visit, that would have been reasonable. What I found unreasonable was being invited to explain whether there was “anything she should know,” only to be given an unexplained three-item limit after I had already begun with two items, and then being cut off before I could explain that the remaining concern involved domestic violence. Based on this appointment, I would not return to Dr. Michelle Lin or recommend her.