Dermatologists - Elmhurst, NY

"I had not had a full-body skin exam by a dermatologist for several years. Due to my age and the fact that several different size and color spots have appeared on various parts of my body in this time, I was way overdue to see a dermatologist. Having had a very positive experience with another physician in the Crystal Run Health Care group, I checked their web site to see if there was a dermatologist within the group that had positive ratings and reviews. Crystal Run had two dermatologists listed with multiple rave reviews, but unfortunately none worked out of the office nearest my home. When I called Crystal Run, they said only Dr, Kwack worked out of the closest facility. (I later discovered there is one other dermatologist there as well - but was not told about her when I called). While the reviews for Dr Kwack on various ratings sites were not the overwhelming glowing reviews given for the other two doctors, they were mostly positive - so I made my appointment. In the exam room, a young man took my background information and had me change into a gown - underwear left on. Dr. Kwack was punctual and cordial enough. I explained to him that I had not been to a dermatologist for several years and that I was concerned about various spots that appeared on my body. Dr, Kwack had me sit on the exam table. He quickly looked over my chest, back, legs, arms and head. At no time did he ask me to remove my underwear to check my genitals and buttocks. The entire physical exam took place in five minutes with me in a seated position. I had to point out a small keratosis on my inner thigh as Dr Kwack did not bother to examine that area either. He quickly looked at it and told me not to worry about it. When I explained that it often becomes inflamed and that I would like to have it removed - he said insurance didn’t cover that. I hadn’t asked if insurance covered it - I wanted it removed. With his physical exam quickly completed, I also had to point out to Dr Kwack that I have several subcutaneous lumps that I wanted him to check out as I didn’t know what they are. Dr. Kwack returned to where I was seated, quickly felt a couple of the areas I pointed out to him and told me that he does not deal with anything subcutaneous - that I need to see a surgeon. I never heard of a dermatologist who does not address anything subcutaneous. I found Dr. Kwack’s supposed “full-body” skin exam perfunctory and unsatisfactory. I have had full-body skin exams in the past. Any full-body skin exam should involve the patient being completely naked and prone so that the entire body (genitals and buttocks included) can be carefully examined. Dr. Kwack never even bothered to ask me if I had any issues in those areas that I felt needed investigation. Heaven forbid I have something going on there that he missed by not bothering to examine or even ask about those areas. In past full-body skin exams, the dermatologist had carefully gone over ever inch of my body using his magnifying lenses lest some small mole or growth be missed. Dr, Kwack never bothered to use his magnifiers. I asked him about this at the end of the perfunctory exam and he said that he only uses the magnifiers if he sees something that requires closer scrutiny. Well how on earth can he see something that might require closer scrutiny if he isn’t using the magnifiers to begin with? All-in-all, I felt that Dr, Kwack’s examination was - again - both perfunctory and unsatisfactory. I left feeling that I had not been carefully and thoroughly examined and that I still needed to see a dermatologist who would take the time and care a full-body skin exam requires. "