Dr. Stephen Garner Abshire, MD

Great doctor with a terrific staff!

THE GIRLS THAT YOU RESCHEDULE WITH ARE NOT THE FRIENDLIEST. AND WHEN YOU CALL THEY DON'T ALWAYS CALL YOU BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS.

I first visited this office due to possible Celiac/Gluten induced issues including chronic IBS which caused the worst hemorrhoids that I have ever experienced. After my Colonoscopy there was never a mention of internal hemorrhoids until I brought it up on a follow-up appointment specifically scheduled for banding of said internal hemorrhoids. I trust that Doctor Abshire is a fairly knowledgeable doctor, but the fact that he relies so heavily on his office staff makes this place a challenge to get adequate care. I am now in extreme pain following my first banding and have had to contact them multiple times to see about scheduling my second banding and to identify the reason for the pain. I suggest that this office spending more time on patient relationships and stop acting like a medical factory.

I first saw Dr. Abshire in the summer of 2010. For my appointment I never actually saw the Dr. I met with his PA. I told her my problems and we ended up scheduling a colonoscopy. The day of the colonoscopy I went in and laid eyes on the Dr. for the first time right before the procedure. He said a few words before and talked afterward, but I don't remember any of it because of the meds they had me on. There was never really a follow up appointment and the information given directly after the procedure was vague at best. Basically, it seemed like he did not know what was wrong with me. I have continued to have problems up until present, May 2013. I called to schedule an appointment and the nurse called me back and told me they would not see me because me records had been transferred to another gastro in town. I vaguely remember having these records transferred in 2012. I told her I just wanted to make an appointment and she told me they would not see me because I had my records… transferred. She was very rude and said it matter of factly, like I had done something wrong. She told me I was not under there care any longer. I told her I was never under their care, I'm under the care of my family physician. I have never heard of anything like this. If you are looking for a Dr. that you have 1 on 1 interaction with and are really looking for some answers and help, I would not suggest going to see this guy. It has been the worst Dr. experience I have ever had.

I switched to Dr. abshire in 2002. Told he was the best. And he was. Then in the last 2 years it has become a circus act. He is no longer "my doctor". Instead this medical office is being ran by Nurse Practitioners. I have seen my doctor One time in 2 years ! Very unpropressional and rude. I was there just 3 months ago. Now I need an authorization for a refill. But I have to go back in for the office visit to be seen first. For a medicine Dr. Abshire prescribed 8 years ago. I have been out for a week already. They did not reply to the Pharmacy. I had to call for two days. Then the receptionist told me the N.P. said I can go in at 8:15 tomorrow morning. I will drag myself there before I go to Physical Therapy. If you actually see the doctor it is okay. That will be your First visit and when you have basic procedures done. Other than that get ready for the circus.

I left 3 voicemails since I wasn't allowed to speak to a live person because I was considered a "new patient." They forwarded me to the "New Patient Department" which was basically a voicemail service asking for information & to speak S L O W L Y...I did that!! Three times!! Still have not heard from this office regarding an appointment. I am in constant pain and was told that Dr. Abshire is the "best of the best" when it comes to figuring out what is wrong and correctly treating it...quickly. Well, that must be the only "quick" thing that happens because speaking to someone or getting an appointment surely isn't QUICK!!!!

He sees too many patients. When I have to call his office, it sometimes takes a week for someone to call me back. I believe Dr. Abshire is an outstanding doctor, and I believe that his staff does the best they can, but you are just a number.

I went to see Dr. Abshire yesterday for a second opinion. He was very thorough. He spent 1 hour with my husband and I. He was very considerate. He listened. He is my new gastroenterologist.

I arrived at 2:45 for a 3:00 PM colonoscopy. The waiting room had about 12 people including my husband and me. At about 3:40, a woman poked her head out of the back office and said to a man, "She's doing fine; we just got her in." The woman closed the door. The man stood up, and in an exasperated voice said to all of us, "We've been here an hour and a half and they just got her in!" He then walked out of the office waiting area, looking frustrated. I was nervous about my colonoscopy and had spent the day prepping, had missed out on a job interview opportunity because of the prep, and had gotten my spouse to leave work early to take me to the appointment. I looked around and realized that all of these other people were here before me. I walked over to the reception window and tapped on it, and asked how long the wait would be. I was told that there were three people ahead of me on the schedule. It was now exactly an hour that I had been there. I told the office staff the… truth: I feel that it is unprofessional to let people sit there for hours waiting for an unpleasant procedure. I feel that if there is a delay in the provision of services, that the receptionist should call the client and apprise them: "Dr. Abshire is about two hours behind; do you want to come here today, or re-schedule?" Or, if unable to reach the client, tell the client upon arrival, so that the client has a choice. We chose to leave, knowing that it probably would be close to 6 or 7 pM before we got out of there, since there were three clients ahead of me, I had not even yet seen a nurse, changed clothes, gotten an IV started, etc--and would not do so until three more people had done so before me!I feel that this kind of scheduling is inappropriate and wastful of the client's time. While Dr. Abshire is reported to be an excellent practitioner, I guess I will not find out. I will find a practitioner who delevers care in a timely fashion, and gives the consumer an option if there is to be a delay, instead of assuming that the consumer will just sit there for hours waiting to pay for a service that may be obtianed elsewhere, and in a timely way.

Ran numerous tests over 2 month period, all came back negative for cancer. Requested and was refused a PET scan because we were told it was not needed. Sent for exploratory surgery and immediately diagnoses with inoperarable stomach cancer. Unorganized and undependable office staff who had difficulties getting phone numbers correct for follow up calls! Unacceptable!!!!