Dr. Gary G. Shi, MD, Jackson CA

Do not go to him if you want a doctor who listens to you, even your questions. I have never ever felt so disrespected. He probably means well but talks to patients like they don’t know anything and interrupts constantly mid question or sentence. He wants you to listen and not speak or ask anything at all at any point of the visit. He will ask you if you have any and then elevate his voice to interrupt and not answer your questions and then abruptly wraps things up. And when he gets frustrated he likes to remind you of your prognosis out of anger. My husband even noticed that it seems he brought up my prognosis out of frustration, anger, and as a means to do emotional harm. Like thank you doctor I know my prognosis. I’ve had cancer for a very long time…and it wasn’t like he brought it up because it was like appropriate to bring up at the time. He brought it up after he got upset with me without any context.

I would like to add. I went in with a problem over two weeks ago That significantly was likely connected to my cancer, and he blew me off and would not help me. I had to go to my previous oncologist to get help. When following up to bring him in the loop, I tried to bring up to him that there was possibly a concern with progression and very quick disease progression based on what was happening with my body, and I was trying to ask him if it was possible for that to be related, he just proceeded to yell at me and not listen at all and I’m pretty certain didn’t even understand what I was saying or asking.

I feel very sad for patients that have to go to him due to insurance reasons and Remote living conditions and I’m glad that I have a choice. Originally I went there to get closer care but now I’m stuck going a little further I guess, but it’s better than going through that ever again. My husband was in shock at the way he talked or should I say yelled at me and treated me. I tried many times to defuse the conversation and situation, but I had to again attempt another way to ask my question and clarify some things as it was very important regarding my treatment plan. Clearly, I failed, no matter how I tried. I’m not one on bashing Doctors and giving them bad reviews. Even the doctor that didn’t listen to me years ago that resulted in me having a very serious battle with cancer ahead of me didn’t get a bad review from me because I understand mistakes happen and I also understand that everyone does their best. The only thing that this doctor does their best at is being heard and controlling conversations, and ignoring everything that’s important to you or that you’re going through. I stuck with him at first because I felt he was intelligent but if you’re not listening to your patients and you’re making decisions on a whim without getting all the information, there’s no way you can be making sound medical decisions on behalf of your patients. Intelligence requires listening, and getting all the Facts, which he isn’t capable of.

I gave this doctor many chances. He has done this at every visit after the first. And come to find out I am not the only patient he does this with. I think as cancer patients we have a right to not only good care but the patience from others needed to fight. An oncologist should never make you cry. And if he does, he should have the sense to diffuse and not expect the patient to serve them and their emotions.

Sutter, do better. Like pay attention to who you hire.