Alan Birnbaum, MD

Dr Alan Birnbaum is the most pathetic example of a professional and caring doctor that I have ever experienced. After reviewing his experience and credentials, I was expecting to receive exception care. I could not have been more wrong! I was referred to the doctor for some nerve issues in my legs. While he spent quite a bit of time (40 minutes) dictating my medical history, about 15 minutes into our conversation he had already «decided» that my leg issues were vascular related and not numerological in nature. I told him that my vascular surgeon said that everything was fine in my legs, from a vascular standpoint, and I needed to see a neurologist. He did order an MRI of my lower back, as requested by my PCP. I went back to see Birnbaum after the MRI was performed to discuss the results. Before our discussion began, he had to read the MRI report. It was obvious that he had not even taken the time to read the report when it was sent to him. After reading the report, he didn’t even tell me what the findings of the MRI were. All he said was there was nothing significant enough for him to do anything or to refer me to a neurosurgeon for follow-​on treatment. He told me that I should go back to my vascular surgeon and have them figure out what the problem was with my legs. I saw my vascular surgeon the following week and they tested and evaluated the blood flow in my legs and confirmed my vascular system was fine. I saw my PCP the following week and discussed how dissatisfied I was with Birnbaum and requested a referral to a new neurologist. When I saw the new neurologist, he had already read my MRI report and immediately performed a nerve conduction test. He said that the nerve conduction test confirmed his suspicions that nerves leading out of my spine at L5 and S1 were being pinched and were not functioning. Because of this, signals were not being sent to my thighs and calves properly so the leg muscles were not acting properly. So, based on the this, I can only conclude one of two things … either Dr Birnbaum has terrible diagnostic skills; or, worse yet, he just doesn’t care enough to treat patients when they come in for medical help. Either way, if you need to see a neurologist, I would strongly recommend that you find another doctor who will actually be willing to help you resolve your issues.
I would also like to note that when I asked the office staff to give me a copy of my MRI report, they refused to do so. They told me to go back to the imaging center and to get a copy of the report from them. This isn’t what I would classify as good customer service.

Dr. Birnbaum was rude from the beginning of the appointment to the end. He was dismissive and arrogant. I have had health problems since I was a child, and have been diagnosed with my medical condition, a diagnosis supported by several other doctors. He dismissed my medical issue and went about asking questions about my mental health for most of the appointment, something I don’t have a problem with (again confirmed by other doctors). He tried very hard to ferret out some psychological issue for my health problems. When that failed he continued to dismiss my condition and decided I just needed to take yoga. He obviously didn’t believe in my medical condition or try to understand it. For someone having to deal with a severe medical condition that affects every aspect of my life, and wanting so desperately to be healthy, this is extremely painful and degrading. He did spend a decent amount of time with me, but most of that time was devoted to asking questions that weren’t relevant. For the few questions that were relevant he usually cut me off when I was answering if what I was saying didn’t fit into what he thought or believed. He, then, summarized everything on his tape recorder, which was a complete waste of time since he obviously disbelieved everything I said and hardly offered any advice. The advice he did give was completely inane and not something one would ever follow up on. If you are looking for a thoughtful, compassionate doctor who seeks to listen and understand and really help his patients, do not go to him!