Dr. Douglas Robert Fletcher, MD

During my visit to Dr. Fletcher the staff was cordial and apologetic about my two hour wait. This occurred after my arriving 35 minutes earlier because they called me the previous evening, and a second time that morning, asking if I could arrive early for two tests that were required. They were apologetic, but they were also self-righteous in announcing that everyone must wait a long time to see Dr. Fletcher. This was said to other patients besides me. This review is not about judging Dr. Fletcher’s efficacy as a pulmonologist in as much it is to assess his character as a service provider. Upon meeting Dr. Fletcher I found him possessed of hubris. It was more important for him to brag about his importance – that he spends time answering patients’ questions unlike other doctors do – and that my making examples of my experiences with my other specialists was meaningless to him. Dr. Fletcher did not like that I expressed directly to him that I thought waiting more than 2 hours for a first time visit to a specialist was unfair. We could have just moved on with my exam if he had just put himself in my shoes and said I’m sorry I made you wait so long, I hope you don’t have to wait your next visit. Also, this is not primarily about my wait. It’s about Dr. Fletcher’s attitude, argumentative tone, raised voice, shaming, and dismissiveness of my other specialists. When I told him that in my 2 years of being treated for a bone marrow transplant none of my oncologists ever made me wait more than 10 or 15 minutes he said to me that oncologists have it very easy. They just take care of your chemo meds, and then he laughed it off. Does Dr. Fletcher really believe that? Is an oncologist verbally coaxing me through & giving me 6 bone-marrow biopsies in one sitting a piece of cake? Is that just taking care of my chemo meds? Does that make oncologists less important than he is? No, it’s defensive, dismissive and inclusive only of his own importance. In a raised voice he told me I was just impatient. I said it was disrespectful to expect a patient to accept that a 2 hour wait is normal. I never once raised my voice. Calling me impatient because I didn’t like waiting is an inaccurate assessment, and a form of shaming. He went on and on and on about all the time he spends answering his patients’ questions. Isn’t that what he is supposed to do as a doctor? And, my experience while waiting for him contradicts this. As I waited in the exam room for Dr. Fletcher I could hear him with the patient he saw before me. He spent an awful lot of time talking about extraneous things, and himself! Attribute this example of poor time management to all of his patients, and it explains my excessive wait. Also, shame on Dr. Fletcher for dismissing the importance of my oncologists, calling me impatient, and not empathizing with my wait.

Outstanding, extremely thorough and available to address emergencies. Maintains close contact to monitor my respiratory problem. Highly recommended.

I've never taken the time to write a review of a doctor before, but saw Dr. Fletcher this morning and feel that I must. Unlike many specialists, Dr. Fletcher really looked at the big picture - my overall health concerns rather than just the test results for the test that had been requested by another doctor. He really listened, and gave me a thorough understanding of all the possible causes for my symptoms. I left feeling very confident in his expertise. The office staff was also excellent!

Dr Fletcher got me off old medication I was taking and put me on the latest medicine and took me off some bad meds,really good communicator,explained everything with clarity.I am so glad that I was referred to him.

I was first a little off put my the location and then had to wait 1.5 hours (waiting room and in patient room) in order to get a one on one with Dr. Fletcher. FYI, I made an appt a month before. I was ready to walk out and cut my losses but I drove 1.5 hours since he is the only one that I haven't tried that takes my insurance. There is a reason why he is late, working at the hospital and many other things so I can blame the Doctor or office. I was beyond relieved to find he is the most understanding and personable doctor I have yet to encounter regarding insomnia. He was the first to recognize that it has nothing to do with sleep apnea and there for didn't schedule a sleep study (which was a breath of fresh air!). Every other doctor scheduled this right off the bat! He listed to my story and actually listened to what meds I was taking, what didn't work, why it didn't work, etc. He is making sure I get on the right track with finding the right medicine so I can get a good nights sleep. I mentioned that I did live very far away and he is accommodating with my schedule to make sure I can discuss the new medicine over the phone rather than taking an afternoon off of work. Of course I have to come in for a follow up but not for a month, rather then weekly. I would highly, HIGHLY recommend Dr. Fletcher. You don't find many doctors that take the extra time to actually understand each person's individual history, issues, etc. Plus he is funny and is on your level, rather than some doctor's that talk above and over you. He makes sure you feel comfortable with what he prescribes and the plan he wants to take. Ok, I will say it, I love him and I only visited once. And the front desk, SO FRIENDLY! That makes such a huge difference in how you feel since they are the first and last interaction you have.