I had two visits at Carolina Skin Care. One on 1/27/21 with Dr Jessica McCaskill and the second visit on 2/22/21 with Dr David Klumpar.
Both visits were good. My first visit was a bit of an unwelcome experienced. I wasn’t able to enter the reception area unless calling in upon my arrival time from my vehicle. I am hearing impaired and I don’t own a cell phone to make calls. So I went upstairs and knock on the door. A minute or two passed before help came to the door. Make matters worst, I couldn’t understand the receptionist questions with her mask on. It all sound muffled to me. I told her my name and appointment time. She told me to give her my insurance card and wait down stairs and someone would tell me when I will be ready to meet Dr McCaskill. After my exam with Dr McCaskill, I went to the reception window to pay for my co-pay. Again, I had trouble understanding what was being said to me. During the exam, Dr McCaskill was willing to remove her mask and keep her distance from me each time she spoke to me or answer my questions. I was wearing my mask throughout my visit in examine room and office.
My second visit at the office was a better experience. The office door was open. The receptionist greeted me and asked me to fill out forms and pay for my co-pay. I did have trouble understanding the receptionist who was asking me questions when wearing mask.
When it was time to meet Dr Klumpar, his voice was louder and clearer with his mask on. He remembered me in past office visits. I was able to understand about 90% of his conversation whereas the receptionists and nurses was about 40%. Certain voices are clearer and stronger to me to understand.
I think it's important to note in their files or charts, patients with hearing disabilities, the staff and doctors should not assumed hearing impaired people have hearing aids or cellphones. They need to ask or put the question(s) on their forms. In my case, I rely on lip reading or written notes. Communications between the office and myself was a bit disturbing. I asked to be notified via secured email from Carolina Skin Care to my email address. I did get an email after my first visit to call them. I have a landline phone that is equipped to enhance sounds and clarity. Before my second visit on 2/22/21, I emailed the office on 2/19/21 to let them know I would be knocking on the locked door upon my arrival. As it turned out the office door was opened. I don’t know if they got my email. The office never replied back to me as an acknowledgment. I hope my future visits at Carolina Skin Care will be a better experience and hopefully masks won’t be required when the pandemic is over. Overall my exam and surgery went well with Dr. McCaskill and Dr Klumpar. I would like to hear back from someone about my feedback at my email address. It is on file at the doctor's office. Thank you.
