Dr. Peter Rust Bachwich, MD

My wife has COPD and has been to Bachwich three times. She suspected than one or more of her meds needed to be adjusted and called his office THREE TIMES to ask about it. On the third call, a nurse told her that, since she hasn't quit smoking, there was nothing he could do for her. Compassion? Obviously not, and we've moved on to another pulmonologist.

I was referred to Dr. Bachwich by my PCP for a bronchial issue. My first, and only, appointment was most unpleasant starting with his nurse. When I first encountered her, she was quite abrupt in her mannerism and language. She told me that I have C.O.P.D., probably asthma, etc. All this even before there were any tests run. This caught me off guard because I had heard for years that after you quit smoking your lungs begin to return to normal. I had quit over 45 years previously. Then Dr. Bachwich came in an began is examination. He listened to my lungs as I have had done many, many times by other doctors in the past. However, for some reason, he decided that it was necessary to unhook my bra. He did this without warning or even asking - he just did it. Then he proceeded to examine my sinuses and ears. Again without asking or even commenting about what he was about to do and why. He also told me that some of my shortness of breath is caused by my increased weight. … It never even occurred to him to ask why the increase - he just assumed. Had he asked, I would have told me that the weight issue was being caused by the s.o.b. and not the other way around. This attitude I found insulting. It was then determined that I needed some testing. Previously I had a CT scan which revealed that I have two lung nodes that are extremely small. He wanted a PET scan and a breathing test. However, it was the attitude of his staff that was very upsetting. Instead of telling me that he wanted me to have the PET scan, "Just to make sure you're alright," I was told that the test was necessary to see if I had cancer. Not a compassionate comment. There were other inappropriate comments made that were very upsetting. After being called by another staff member one morning, I was so upset that I called my PCP's office because I didn't know what to do. The M.A. immediately asked what time I could come in. I went to his office later, and after looking at the results of my tests, my PCP said that there wasn't anything to be alarmed about and I just needed a 3-month follow up scan. What I found with Dr. Bachwich and his staff is that there attitude is one of "worse case scenario." My PCP said that I don't have to return to his office again and that he will take care of the situation.

Excellent, found problem immediately.