Saiera M. Babaeva, MD

This review is based on the annual physical exam I had with Dr. Babaeva this month at NYU Langone Ambulatory Care West Side. This was my first time meeting with her. However, first impressions matter a lot when it comes to healthcare. My experiences with the receptionists and 2 nurses (one stated her name was Tara) were excellent. They were professional, respectful, friendly, and efficient. These interactions stand in sharp contrast to my opinion about the way Dr. Babaeva interacted with me. My main complaints are that in my opinion, the appointment felt rushed and that the doctor did not initially listen to me with sincerity when I told her my complaints. I will provide specific examples in the survey NYU Langone sends after patient visits. When Dr. Babaeva entered the exam room, she greeted me and then commented that I had seen another doctor for my previous physical. I told Dr. Babaeva that I had to switch from that prior doctor because in my opinion, I wasn't getting the… quality of healthcare I was used to. I then said that it's hard to find a good doctor and that it seems many doctors don't care. That would have been the perfect segue to ask about my concerns and to let me know how she would try to be different. A good doctor is able to balance efficiency with a warm bedside manner. Perhaps she could have explained how much time she had set aside for the exam, so we could both be on the same page. I had a list of 4 concerns (written on a post-it note) I needed to address with Dr. Babaeva. In my opinion, when the doctor began answering my questions, she initially used a condescending tone, body language and facial expressions (intense staring) that I interpreted as her being frustrated or annoyed. Shouldn't doctors be glad patients are monitoring their health? In my opinion, Dr. Babaeva had a cold, curt tone and did not ask many follow up questions or provide many detailed explanations. In my opinion, she did not try to have a genuine conversation with me about my health concerns. I assume I was her first patient of the day, so it's perplexing that she displayed this behavior so early. When I expressed my observations about how I perceived her behavior, she did provide referrals to specialists and her tone and behavior improved just a bit. Still, in my opinion, she did not appear to express genuine concern or interest in what I was saying. I did not mention it to her, but I earned several degrees and have several years of healthcare experience. I don't always tell doctors this in order to gauge how they initially interact with me, someone with minority group status. In general, doctors need to display empathy for patients of all backgrounds, regardless of the patient's professional training. Otherwise, they should consider changing professions.

I have never had a better internist/PCP, and I've had a lot of them since childhood. I am now a "senior" and cannot imagine anyone better. Dr. Babaeva is extremely thorough in her examinations and is an excellent diagnostician. She has caught serious conditions at their start, for which I am extremely grateful. She makes excellent recommendations and referrals, and stays on top of all procedures and outcomes. Her manner is professional but warm and caring, and her explanations are clear and explicit. She is an example for all current and future doctors, and I hope there will be more like her.

Do not recommend. Unfortunately is another example of what medicine in the US is. Did not spend more than 30 seconds with me and made the overall appointment feel rushed. Not even mentioning the errors in billing that made me pay out of pocket money when I should not have. Never again.

Excellent patient communication, diagnoses, care, and follow-through. Couldn't ask for a better primary care physician

The office staff makes many mistakes but Dr. Babaeva is great!