Jason Primer, MD

Jason Primer has been my physician for the past three years.
In November of 2014, I was bouncing on my little trampoline for exercise. After 4 or 5 gentle bounces, while up in the air about 6 inches, I felt a gentle pop in my left side. I thought I had pulled a muscle. It started getting to be very painful, and a week later I was in the ER. X-​rays showed a broken rib. I was told to do a follow up exam with my doctor within a few weeks. I did so with Jason Primer, at which time I asked him if he had any idea WHY my rib broke with no pressure on it at all. I asked him if I should be tested for osteoporosis (I am 66 yrs old and a former weightlifter). He did NOT recommend anything but x-​rays. He did NOT recommend a test for osteoporosis. He had me take 9 x-​rays. He called me 3 days after the x-​rays were taken and told me that the bone was healing. That is all he said.
Time went on, and the pain started to get a bit worse, sometimes better, on and off. I really thought that I had osteoporosis, and more bones were getting weak or were breaking. As there was no treatment to be given for another broken rib except to let it heal, I didn’t even think of going back to Jason Primer.
In late August, the pain was getting unpleasant, more than just a slight pain. I saw Jason Primer in late August, and the first thing he said to me was in a decidedly angry tone: «Why do your bones keep breaking?» I was dumbfounded and at a complete loss for words. When I tried to describe my symptoms, he challenged me as if I were on trial and he was the prosecutor. This is not an exaggeration. He told me I had costochondritis, and prescribed steroid pills.
Jason Primer ordered more x-​rays for me, and I went down and had them taken. After 3 days of taking the steroid pills, the pain in my back and ribs became 10 times worse. I called his office, but they told me to go to the after hours NMH clinic on Dearborn, which I did. The PA there found my recent x-​rays and looked at them. She told me that there were abnormalities on the x-​rays, and that I should go immediately to the ER at NMH for a CAT scan.
After the CAT scan, the attending physician gave me the very bad news: I have cancer which was eating away at my ribs, and a large growth in my left upper back, where the rib was broken. The rib which broke in November of 2014 was obviously weakened by the cancer.
Jason Primer called me 2 days later and told me I wouldn’t be able to get into the hospital for one or possibly 2 days, but don’t worry, it was nothing urgent. He called back 10 minutes later and told me to pack a bag and check into the hospital, where they would be waiting for me. That’s the last I ever heard from Jason Primer. I am now scheduled to undergo treatment for the cancer — I’ve had all the tests, and will be treated at the University of Chicago hospital. I will never go to any doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital again.
Why did he not have me tested as to why my bone broke for no apparent reason? I never broke a bone in my life. Why was this man nothing more than a passive bystander when he should have been ordering test after test to find out why my rib broke in the first place?
BE CAREFUL when you choose a doctor. Look up his reviews and any articles you can find about him or her before you allow his competence or incompetence to determine whether you will live or die.
Robert Benson
Chicago

Dr. Primer has been my Primary Care Physician for the past 15 years. I can’t imagine going to another Dr. Dr. Primer takes the time to really listen to you, and ask probing questions that drill down to the root cause of what is ailing you. He has always been caring and honest. Even when the truth hurts. I recommend him without reservation.

I have been with Dr Primer since early 2000. At first he really showed himself as a competent doctor looking after me on routine check ups and follow ups. I few months back I was diagnosed with some rare combinations of conditions which became serendipitously evident after i have requested a couple of tests. As I was considering my options for standard of care I expected that Dr Primer would quarterback my journeys through the doctors, set up pertinent appointments and personally get involved with both professional advice as well as compassion.
Well — the deer in the headlights — is best to describe Dr Primer’s posture. He did not know whom to refer me to and was quite lost with respect to what I should do next. I was left on my own to go for appointments and look for second opinions. He did neither take part of figuring out what should be done nor even followed up with me post surgery. Strangely, doctors that have never cared for me before showed more concern then my attending physician.
His behavior perhaps underscores his inaptitude or perhaps active trial to remove himself from my situation to the extent he could if for no other reason not to be culpable if something bad happened. Be that as it may — it really showed him in incredibly bad way. To summarize: if you are healthy and only go for annual check ups — he is a guy for you. If though you consider the possibility out of a blue you could be diagnosed with some rare or tough disease (cancer?) you will not find a calming, helpful, and in charge physician in Jason Primer. I found it out the hard way — and now that I am on my way to recovery I am looking for another physician.

Dr. Jason Primer has been my doctor for over 7 years at Northwestern. I feel very fortunate to have a doctor that has the knowledge and compassion that Dr. Primer has shown me. He makes his patients his first priority. He stays involve with his patient’s test results and referrals. He listens to me and explains every detail regarding my treatment. After all these years I finally considered posting on Unilocal because Dr. Primer is worth the effort.

Nice guy, spends time with you, likes to get ‘er done.