Appletree Medical Centre

I frequented this clinic inconsistently for four years, and I think it is one of the worst places I’ve been. I don’t expect much from a walk-​in clinic as far as wait-​times. The first time I went was because I needed an exam note because I was sick as a dog. I got the note, but the doctor said I should be better in 1 – 3 days. Well, 3 days later, I woke up with an eye infection on top of my illness. I went back to the clinic to another doctor (previous doctor wasn’t on the schedule that day) and he told me I had a really bad infection, prescribed me antibiotics, and gave me a note for my other exam.
I thought that the symptoms I was experiencing just worsened in severity really quickly, which is very possible for me. Benefit of the doubt, I guess. The next time I was in, I had a referral to see Dr. Patel (about 3 years ago) and he was completely unprofessional. Although I admit this review comes late, it took me studying psychiatry to realize that how he spoke to me was completely inappropriate. I came in with my notebook because I am forgetful (and was nervous) and wanted to remember everything I was experiencing. He told me he didn’t like patients having notebooks and wouldn’t let me read it. Okay, maybe he wants to ask me specific questions without being distracted? I described some symptoms that have been around since childhood. I briefly went over some trauma which I was still ruminating over. I told him I was struggling in school, which I first attributed to living in residence, but was still around when I moved out and was not partying. I told him I couldn’t get myself out of bed to go to class, physically or emotionally, regardless of the time the class was held. He told me all students struggled with this, and when I emphasized that I really could not get out of bed some days (even days without class), he told me every student gets stressed. At the end he said «sorry, the trauma must have been hard» and told me I couldn’t be depressed because I still enjoyed having sex with my boyfriend. He told me to book a follow-​up appointment, which I never did because he had already argued and dismissed the things I was feeling. Mind you, I wasn’t arguing over diagnosis, I was arguing about how I was feeling and the things I was experiencing. I felt so distraught, as it took a lot of bravery to even attend this appointment, and I was told I was wrong.
Not only that, I had blood-​work done and I was supposed to get a call from the clinic when the results came in to book an appointment to review them (whether they were normal or otherwise). I never got that call, so I walked in and reviewed them with the doctor. The doctor said they were normal, but the iron and B12 was low enough to cause concern. Turns out the low iron and B12 have been linked to symptoms I was experiencing. Great, glad they never got in contact with me about that.
Over the next few years my symptoms worsened. I went to see the lovely Dr. Finkelman at the clinic who helped with school accommodations, but also referred me to Dr. Patel. I never went. She also ordered bloodwork and an EKG, which I did. As you may have guessed, I never got a call about those results either. The front desk must be crazy busy with the traffic of patients, but test results need to be given to patients. I didn’t bother going back in.
Looking back, considering the career path I’m embarking on, I cannot believe Dr. Patel would dismiss a patient who emphasized such symptoms and was asking for help. Even if you don’t agree that *clinically* they meet a diagnosis, you don’t argue with how the client feels. Fine, if they argue about you over diagnosis, that’s frustrating as you’re the doctor, but it’s like telling someone who broke their ankle that EVERYONE hurts their ankle and it does not hurt that bad. I cannot believe Dr. Patel is still at York and is the ONLY psychiatrist on campus. I felt like I was reprimanded for getting help because I went alone (family was out of the country). I hope that anyone who is brave enough to seek help is not discouraged by this man. If you feel like something is wrong or you need help, then you deserve to search for that help. You may or may not have the diagnostic criteria for a mental illness, but think of it like this: you’re a woman and you found a lump on your breast that is abnormal. Would you ignore it, or would you go to the doctor just to make sure? Right answer is: go to the doctor. Now, the doctor may or may not be worried about the abnormality, but will they argue with you that it’s actually there or treat you like an idiot for coming? They shouldn’t. That’s negligence.

The wait time is over 1 ½ hour each time I went and they don’t take appointment unless one of the doctors is your family doctor. The doctors here have no regards for people’s time.

WORST PLACE TO GO
I came in at Apple tree located at Yorku because to be frank, it’s the closest one to me and I was extremely ill. I was actually ill on the day of Thanksgiving (very unfortunate) and came to the clinic the following day. I had on going fever, my body was extremely sore, it was hard to eat due to my sore throat and my ears were clogged so I barely can hear, and lastly I couldn’t talk at all. Now I’m not a doctor, but if I can feel and see physically that my throat is inflamed (it was actually obvious), it’s no typical flu. The doctor (who shall not be named) was TERRIBLE. SHE just advise me to take Advil and Tylenol so the swelling would go away. She took a swab of my throat to determine whether I need antibiotics. Mind you that I cannot talk because of the extreme swelling of my throat. As a non medical physician, obviously I would took her advise (doctor knows best right). She also told me that she would contact me in two days to find out the results. The pain lingered on for another day and I couldn’t take it anymore so I decided to go to a different clinic to get another input. Dr. Youseff who does NOT work at any local appletree clinic was friendly, kind hearted woman who informed me that I actually have a virus that needs to be addressed asap. She gave me antibiotics and literally 2 hours later I find myself able to swallow food (small proportions ofcourse) and able to talk a bit. I find the appletree clinic does not care about people ESPECIALLY international students. I do however find that the nurses that works there are a lot more sincere and more friendly. If I could recommend any doctor in that clinic I would only suggest Dr. Laham and Dr. Freedman. THAT IS ALL.
OH and P. s.–I never got a call back regarding my results. They care? My ass.