Samantha F
I am very disappointed with my recent experience at CityMD. I arrived on Friday afternoon with my daughter, who was not feeling well and primarily needed a doctor’s note to excuse her absence from school. Upon arrival, I explained to the staff that my daughter was unwell and that we were seeking documentation for her school absence. Instead of explaining that obtaining a school excuse would require completing the standard medical intake and evaluation process, we were immediately handed paperwork, asked for our insurance information, and directed to the back. At no point did anyone explain what the visit would entail or what procedures might be performed. Once in the exam room, my daughter was asked about her symptoms. She explained that she had been experiencing a cough, runny nose, allergies, and had vomited that morning, although she was feeling somewhat better later in the day. The staff member gathered this information and left the room. When she returned, she instructed my daughter to provide a urine sample. This seemed unusual given the symptoms my daughter had reported. When I asked why a urine sample was necessary, I was told only that it was “normal protocol.” No additional explanation was provided. What was particularly concerning to me was that my daughter presented with multiple symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness, including coughing, a runny nose, and allergy-related symptoms. However, it felt as though the focus immediately shifted to the fact that she had vomited that morning, leading to assumptions that were never discussed with us. Had someone clearly explained the medical reasoning behind the urine test or discussed the possibility of a pregnancy test beforehand, the situation could have been handled much more professionally and respectfully. Something about the situation did not feel right, so I later asked another employee directly whether my daughter was being given a pregnancy test. I was informed that she was. At no point before the urine sample was requested were we told that a pregnancy test would be performed, nor were we given an opportunity to discuss it or provide informed consent. I found this lack of communication extremely concerning. To make matters even more confusing, we later received results indicating a negative strep test, despite the fact that no throat swab had ever been performed. This raised serious questions about the accuracy of the testing and the overall quality of care provided during our visit. My main concern is not the testing itself, but the lack of transparency, communication, and informed consent throughout the process. Patients and parents deserve to be clearly informed about what tests are being performed, why they are being performed, and what to expect during their visit. Unfortunately, that did not happen during our experience. I hope CityMD reviews its procedures and improves communication with patients and families moving forward.