Kamelhar David MD

David Kamelhar appears to be charming, caring, and very knowledgeable, can very effectively project such an image, but his care and knowledge are not consistent with that image. I had a clearcut case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, which I told him I had had previously, but he did not consider that diagnosis and did not treat it, even after a scan showed a lobe of my lung collapsed. He ordered pulmonary function tests for every visit and made frequent appointments for visits as I became sicker and sicker. Finally, as I developed a pneumothorax, told him I was dying, his response was «you’re still walking and talking» and he did nothing other than continue a referral for physical therapy. A week later I insisted I needed to go to the hospital, which was also clear from a lung scan I had that day, that I needed him to call an ambulance, which he refused, but did write necessary orders for hospital emergency room, where I was quickly given desperately needed oxygen on arrival by cab. A bronchoscopy was performed which saved my life, but it was touch and go. Later he told me «it all blew up suddenly at the end» and when I pointed out that I had been getting sicker and sicker for months he became extremely angry, and at that point I saw he had a problem with anger management also. If you have a lung condition that can benefit from pulmonary physical therapy, he’s your man, otherwise, don’t put your life in his hands. (This is an updated review of my original review.)

This office is highly unprofessional. I made an appt. and waited two weeks to see this Dr. since there were no other appointments available. Two long weeks I waited but I had heard he was very good. The afternoon before my appt. I got a message saying the appointment was cancelled. When I tried to call back, I got a recording saying «no calls were being taken at this time.» The next day I called another office number on the website and got a recording. I left a polite message about rescheduling. No one ever got back to me. Left another message days later saying the least they could do was call me back and tell me he was not taking new patients. No response. Terrible treatment. And all this time my condition has worsened. Forget it.
Please read the reviews below. A doctor has a responsibility to patients, new and old. This is a bad sign – of arrogance and unprofessionalism.

Dr Kamelhar is amazing he kind and has helped me more than any other doctor. I usually will not wait more that 15 minutes for any Dr, but for Dr K I wait forever, and have learned to accept it. I do not like it but I wait! His office staff is another thing it is almost impossible to make any appointment, and they are kinda snotty, but since he is such an expert in his field, I have learned to put up with it. The biggest frustration is that you CAN NEVER REACH A LIVE PERSON, everything is leave a message and they will get back to you. So not the best customer service but DR K makes up for it

Stay away from Dr K. All the complaints of ridiculous wait times are 100% accurate. You’re lucky if you wait less than 2 hours and no one on staff acknowledges this is an issue. I’m not sure where the reviews about the Dr being brilliant are coming from. I went in circles with him for roughly 7 visits (yes– that added up to about 18 hours of sitting in the waiting room) and made no progress. Incredible waste of time and money. NYC has the best Drs in the world– don’t waste your time or money with this clown.

Dr. Kamelhar himself is a great doctor but the experience of trying to book an appointment is hell-​on-​earth.
The receptionist answered the phone without acknowledging who I was calling («Hello?») and then immediately put me on hold. When she picked up five minutes later she said «He’ll have to call you back.» I replied, «I haven’t even told you who I am or who I am calling for.» «Oh,» and she put me on hold again. Another five minutes passed and she came back, «What’s your name?» I gave it and was put on hold again, five more minutes. When she finally returned she asked, «When did you want to see the doctor?» I explained that he wanted me in as soon as possible to review a critical test and she said «Oh he doesn’t have any openings. Sorry.» When I suggested she check with him since this was HIS request she gave a long, exhausted sigh and said «Hold up.» I waited a bit and eventually gave up, choosing to email the doctor directly and explain the situation. Hopefully this will be resolved.

I spent over 4 hours in his office and he was rude, unapologetic for all the waiting, leaving me furious. Seeing that others have a similar experience, I’m adding my two cents as there are many doctors in New York and there is no need to be subjected to such disrespectful treatment. He clearly has disdain for his patients’ schedules

I had to wait over 2 hours to see Dr. Kamelhar, and when he finally arrived in the room, he did not even apologize and in fact had a terrible attitude toward me. He did not truly listen to what I was saying — he kept cutting me off, or just assuming that I had certain symptoms rather than actually listening to me. When discussing my treatment options, he again did not listen to what would work for my lifestyle. I am currently trying to get my medical records for transfer to another doctor, and the process is terrible. They do not answer their phones before 10am and they put you on hold forever (literally I had to spend 20 minutes on the phone with them just to inquire about the status of my request). I would stay away from Dr. Kamelhar!

I was conflicted with what rating to give Dr. Kamelhar.
The positives… He is an extremely brilliant doctor and correctly diagnosed me when other doctors could not. The technician, Paul, who performs the pulmonary function tests is very personable and friendly. He made me feel at ease in what could be an awkward situation.
HOWEVER… Dr. Kamelhar takes forever to return phone calls with test results. I called the radiology center that performed my tests. They told me my results were in and had been sent to my doctor I suspected he would have called. He did not. It was very frustrating and scary to wait on such results when I was sick and in need of treatment.
He also tends to be curt and abrupt at times during appointments or over the phone. And there are some women who work at the front desk who are down right nasty and rude over the phone.
With all things considered I still have to say that I would prefer an intelligent and seasoned doctor with poor bedside manner over a very friendly doctor who knows nothing. Go for a diagnosis, but for in-​depth treatment and follow-​up, go elsewhere.