Dr. Zahra Ghotbi Promes, MD

A while ago I went to her instead of my primary care for an appointment about back pain, as she was the soonest available appointment. I expressed to her that I had concerns about having scoliosis. Right away after only very briefly looking at my back, without doing testing of any sort, she literally just laughed and said “you don’t have scoliosis”. When I tried to explain to her why I disagreed, she more or less just ignored what I said and hesitantly declared that I have fibromyalgia. No exam, little to no conversation, judging by her tone she didn’t really even seem to believe it herself, but for whatever reason she wanted to believe or appear as if she knew exactly what was up with me within a few minutes of us meeting. More recently at an appointment with my primary care, I was shown an x-ray of my spine that was actually taken closer to the date of the original appointment, and my doctor explained to me that my back has curves in it comparable to those of a spiral staircase DUE… TO SCOLIOSIS. Moral of the story; Don’t waste your time with overconfident “doctors” who choose to trust their insufferable egos over actual medical testing. My scoliosis got notably worse in the time between the appointments, but I couldn’t do much about it because since she basically refused to test me for it, I didn’t have a diagnosis in my files until after talking to my primary care about it. I actively recommended against going to her if you have the choice. I’m guessing she’s typically this arrogant because when I told my story to my primary care and mentioned her by name, she laughed as if that kind of behavior is nothing new from her.

There is something very wrong with this doctor. She is not my pcp. I just made thr appt with any doctor and she happened to be the only one available. I regret ever making this appointment. After saying hello and expressing concerne, she immediately accused me of being "derogatory" towards her. Literally, all I did was explain my situation and ask her for help. I asked if she spoke with my previous provider about my concerns or read her notes, then it sounded like this doctor started reading something verbatim, very slowly as if I did not speak English. It was very condescending and I was very weirded out. When she was done speaking, I was so weirded out by this interaction that I just said thank you for your time. I really think this doctor needs to get her head checked because she accused me of being "derogatory" out of the blue. This was the weirdest experience I have ever had with a doctor.

Dr. Promes is very condescending. She knows about my educational background and tried to use that against me and said, "Out of all people, you should know...". What my background taught me is how to be empathetic. She lacks empathy and I end up feeling more hopeless than before my visit started. I changed my doctor as soon as my visit ended today. I am so tired of feeling unheard and treated like I am unreasonable for seeking help.

A good doctor can diagnose you by doing a good history and physical exam. Don't expect that with Dr. Promes. She only relies on lab and radiology tests. And, if she's not sure what's going on, she will refuse to make the appropriate referral--FOR YEARS.

She’s very helpful and understanding

I was Dr Promes Patient in Winter Park, FL. and I miss her. She was the best Doctor ever. She did not beat around the bush and gave it to you straight. If you weren't caring for yourself or following her recommended treatment. Then you don't need to be her patient. She is here to help you live a healthier life not spoon feed you nice thoughts and pretty ponies. If you want someone to treat you and provide you with upfront honest medical care. Then you found it with Dr. Promes. Kathy Rendel Winter Park, FL 32789

Worse doctor experience I ever had in my life. I walked in expect for help but I feel worse when I walked out the office. I never expected a doctor will tell me that I make her feel bad when I asked her questions. I was told that I made her feel bad when I question her. I was trying to understand what she is telling me. Am I suppose to say yes and ok to everything she tells me? She told me this will be what she remember when she sees me. She said I made her feel awful several times even though I told her repeatedly that I wasn't trying to make her feel bad. All I wanted to do is to make sure we understand each other. Isn't it her job to find out the problem and trying to understand my concern or should it be the other way around? I really don't know what I did to make her feel awful and had to step out the room. She told me that she will always remember that I made her feel awful.

Astounding how bad her attitude is. Seems like a miserable human being. She may seem ok to elderly, ignorant patients, where getting out of the house is the highlight of the day, but wow. Useless, and a terrible attitude to boot. There’s nothing I hate more than insecure arrogance coupled with utter worthlessness (Trump?). And, more broadly, it’s more than astounding how many times I have been misdiagnosed at Kaiser. Utterly astounding. Switching providers next open enrollment. Imagine if there really was something serious. These GPs at Kaiser are so inundated with burocracy they can’t possibly stay up to date or be real experts. I have had Kaiser doctors literally assert to me that I don’t have this or that, and sure enough I do. Run from her, and if possible, run from Kaiser (at least there are other docs there that are friendly).

Dr. Promes is one of the few doctors I have ever visited who I believe truly cares about my well-being. She is communicative, and very easy for me to talk to. When I visit her, I feel she will take all the time she needs for my visit.

LOVE HER! The first doctor that has been sympathetic to my conditions. The first doctor that actually listened to me to try to find a remedy and not pick on me because of my weight increase. I'm on track on a healthier living without feeling ashamed by my doctors.