Shum Chi

Dr. Shum has been my doctor for 5+ years and deserves a 10 star rating! He is always composed, friendly, and punctual. He returns emails super promptly if you request labs or rx refills. He is just on point 100% of the time and I can’t say enough good things about him. Thanks, Doctor.

I have been a patient of Dr. Shum for several years now. I can honestly say he is the best doctor I have ever been to, except maybe for my pediatrician. Dr. Shum is highly knowledgeable and caring! He makes me feel like a person and not just another chart. I have recommended him to several other people and they all love him.
I did not give him the full five stars because I feel like the office is small and cramped.
With that said I will be his patient forever.

I visited Dr. Shum two months ago. That was my first time and will be the last time! I got a cold and went to see him, the check-​in was quick. So was the meeting with him, it was about 10 to 15 mins. he gave me a quick check and 10 days antibiotics. My coughing didn’t get better at all after 10 days. Later I found out Dr. Shum claimed about $ 600 on my insurance. I was a little bit surprised about the price. What surprised me more is Dr. Shum sent me an invoice of $ 20.77 for the bill balance. I called in the Doctor and complained about this. I believe no one likes surprise bills, I was expecting to pay my co-​pay only. Dr. Shum told me don’t come back to the office again and hang the phone.
Thank you Dr. Shum, thank you for such a BAD experience. Don’t worry, I will pay you the the $ 20.77, it is totally worth it to avoid the doctors like you in the future!

So i was referred to Dr Luachango but made an appointment to see Dr. Shum based on all the reviews. I arrive 15 minutes before my schedule time for which I had to call the office to reconfirm since no one called me, only to be greeted by «they’re not here» I stated «my appointment is for 8» the response I got was «well they’re not here. You can call them at 9 – 9:30.» Seriously?!! I have a scheduled appointment. This young man tells me I don’t work for Dr Shum but for Dr Lauchango. Here’s his card you can call at 9 – 9:30. I drove 45 minutes to get to the city prior to my appointment time to allow for paperwork only to be met with sass and NO ACCOMMODATION. Office not appealing at all and too bad I won’t get to experience a visit with Dr Shum and will not recommend. Your office staff represents you!

Dr. Shum was extremely knowledgable, professional and courteous during my appointment. The clinic is a bit difficult to spot as it is an old apartment right by Lexington that was renovated into a clinic, but once you find the spot, everything goes like a breeze.
This was my first primary physician type of a visit, and I had a lot of questions/​requests, which were all answered by dr. Shum on spot. Although this was my first visit, I immediately developed a sense of trust with him, mainly because of his careful examination, kind explanation and files with numerous patients’ name stacked on his bookcase.
The staff working at the clinic was also very professional and amiable. Definitely recommend.

I was forewarned about the shabbiness of the office. It’s quite the task to find this place. Dr. Shum’s office was on the ground floor of a residential building, sharing space with other doctors. The waiting room is in another unit down the hall. The reception is a tiny desk with two receptionists working busily with the phone ringing off the hook.
I didn’t have to wait long and the receptionist was sweet and courteous. I filled out most of my paperwork via zocdoc, so my check-​in procedure was minimal and painless. It wasn’t long before the doctor actually came to get me in the waiting room. His office is tiny with hundreds of patient files sticking out from giant shelves that have now become another layer of his wall.
Dr. Shum was very patient and listened to my concerns — my derm had suggested I get a PCP and so now you’re it, Dr. Shum. While Dr. Shum didn’t really have the answer that I was looking for, perhaps there is no answer after all. I’ll see the dermatologist Dr. Shum suggested when I contacted him — he also emailed me my test results via email almost immediately upon request via email.Dr. Shum is humble and very genuine — definitely recommend.

Great doctor! Attentive to all my concerns. Easy to get appointment and quick visits.

Takeaway points:
The office is a bit crammed and it was a bit confusing getting there.
Didn’t wait too long before I was seen.
Dr.shum is very patient and caring. I did not feel rushed at all.
I will be returning next time for my, as he called it, «routine torture» haha!

It’s important to separate the doctor from the office with Dr. Shum. His office is a pit. It is layed out in such a way that it causes as much discomfort and stepped on toes as humanly possible. No matter what you do or where you go during the check in /​out process, you’re in someone’s way, and they have no problem letting you know it.
That said, as a doctor, I like Shum. He’s always an email away if you have a question, and his response time is great. He will actually listen to you when you speak. He’s also a pretty nice guy. I’ve been going to him for over 10 year.

Do you want a great doctor in Manhattan? Do you?
You found him.
Dr. Shum is the best doctor I have ever been to in my entire life. He is amazing. Personal. Friendly. Caring. And a cracker-​jack physician to say the least. From what I hear, it’s hard to find such a doctor in NYC. I was lucky enough to start seeing Dr. Shum six years ago when I first moved to New York.
No wait time. You get to see the man himself right away. And the old-​school style office makes you feel like, «Yeah, I’m seeing my doctor. I’m not in some ultra-​fancy hipster office with sheer white walls and glib decorations for the insurance money. I’m in New York.»
Dr. Shum exudes the energy of an ancient, wise sage waiting to heal you. I know that may read a little funny, but it’s true. He is a wizard of health.
Thank goodness for Dr. Shum.

I have been seeing Dr. Shum for years and he is truly one of the best. He is attentive, kind and knowledgable. Sure his office isn’t state-​of-​the-​art, but I really don’t care about that. If I ever have a question, I can email him and he writes back promptly. I mean what doctor does that?! He’s always there when I need him.

I started seeing Dr. Shum recently and have been very pleased with his treatment and services.
I have seen many doctors, especially primary care physicians in the past. Usually the procedure begins with being called into the examination room after a long queue in the waiting room where you will first be seen by a physician’s assistant. By that time usually you are already aggravated about the time you’ve waited in the waiting room and in many cases even more aggravated about the pain or discomfort you are in. You explain your symptoms and beliefs to the PA hoping he/​she can help you with something. You are always wrong about that one… That person is only designated to fill out paperwork, forms, and notes for the doctor to see, as well as take your vitals and record them. After the PA leaves, you again have to wait until the doctor knocks on the door. At that time what you’ve already explained the PA s irrelevant because now your complaints have been translated to a chart, in order for the doctor to diagnose. In some cases if you are lucky the doctor may ask you more questions; however in most circumstances especially in New York City, we have all been in the position when the doctor comes into the examination room for 1 – 2 minutes and based on your charts, records, and the few words you’ve exchanged diagnoses you. It is a very disappointing and impersonal feeling and it is unfair that your explanation was unheard by the doctor because often they are in a rush to see the next patient or to tend to another task.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH DR. SHUM
Conveniently for me I live around the corner from Dr. Shum’s practice and I have never had to wait more than ten minutes after checking in with the receptionist. After your name is called by reception you immediately walk in to Dr. Shum’s examination room where he is waiting for you, the patient. He personally takes care of everything himself. He takes all of his own notes; he will take your temperature and vitals on his own, as well as perform the medical examination. If necessary he does his own blood work as well. It is a very personal experience, and I feel as if he actually listens to the needs of his patients without rushing his patients out of the office.
Dr. Shum also provides his e-​mail address to all of his patients and he personally answers his patient’s emails on his own throughout the workday, and rather quickly. Every time I have walked into his office I see the Gmail window open in his browser; which is a clear sign that he is paying attention to his emails and his patients requests.
He is a very knowledgeable physician and his client service abilities only make this a more attractive primary care practice. I highly recommend seeing Doctor Shum for a range of medical needs especially if he takes your medical insurance and even if he doesn’t I know he is affordable to those that have CASH as their medical insurance policy.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Shum for over 2 years. The service I received has been outstanding/​Amazing/​excellent (you get the hint). His diagnosis’ have always been pin point precise. I could never believe a review that says he was rude. Totally false and not accurate at all! I couldn’t see myself going to anyone else. I would recommend him to anyone (which I have). Even when I don’t make an appointment, I’ve never waited more than 15 – 20 minutes, he always finds time to squeeze me in. When I do make an appt., I have never waited more than 5 minutes, which is unheard of with other doctors. If there were 9 stars, I would give it to him. He is extremely intelligent and if he does turn to his computer once or twice, that could be you he is answering in those emails which im sure you appreciate. So I don tmind at all because I feel and I know he is still listening to ME and my concerns.

New to NYC and needed a Doctor on a Saturday. Went to Unilocal and found a good review. What a find! Highly recommend Dr Shum for his thoroughness, knowledge and excellent social skills.

I started seeing Dr. Shum in 2005 shortly after moving to NYC and on the recommendation of my accountant at work. I am so glad I did. While the office isn’t the most welcoming/​comfortable for me, personally, it is usually running on time, and there’s no NP to see — you get right in and see Dr. Shum.
He listens, is caring, calm and does thorough reviews of your past doctors, tests, etc… and is patient with your questions, concerns, etc… He is very responsive to emails and getting in to see him very quickly is never a problem.

While Dr. Shum seemed like a well-​informed doctor with a pleasant demeanor, there are far too many options in New York City to settle for less. To start, his office consists of a series of rooms and hallways from a converted apartment. Everything is cramped and it’s the most rundown doctor’s office I’ve ever been to. My appointment with Dr. Shum was one of the quickest doctor’s visits I had ever been to. This reflects poorly on a doctor who was seeing me for the first time ever and had no idea about my health.
Dr. Shum’s staff also came across as harried and in a rush. I had an especially disturbing experience when it came time for one of his nurses to draw my blood. I have huge veins that are visible from across the room and she was unable draw any blood, blaming it on a «collapsed vein». Everyone has to start somewhere, but I’d expect better from a practice like that of Dr. Shum’s. In my case I pay a $ 27 copay no matter where I go. So, why go to a doctor’s office that reminds me of being in a ragtag backcountry clinic? Don’t let the fancy website fool you, there are better choices out there.
Update (11÷12÷12): on a positive note, Dr. Shum is extremely responsive to patient’s emails. I emailed him for my test results, and had them on my computer as a PDF file within minutes. That said, I still wouldn’t go back

Dr Shum’s diagnoses were always spot on. He’s very pleasant, polite, friendly (but not overly chatty.) He genuinely cares about his patients and responds to emails promptly. I wrote him on a Saturday evening and he responded in less than an hour! Dr Shum is as good as they get.

No doctor beats out Dr. Shum. PERIOD. I have a bunch of adjectives for you that describe Dr. Shum: knowledgable, capable, professional, kind, polite, caring, and proficient. You can keep reading after this, but you really don’t have to. Just schedule your appointment.
I can’t tell you how many appointments he’s squeezed me into. How many times I’ve e-​mailed him (out of sheer paranoia) and how many practically instantaneous replies I’ve gotten back. This man is devoted to his patients in a way that no other doctor in New York City is. You don’t feel like a walking dollar-​sign after leaving his office. You feel reassured that no matter what, you’ve got someone in your corner. One visit will convince you.

I went to Dr. Shum after another doctor mis-​diagnosed me (and totally scared the bejeesus out me, btw). One test later he let me know what the problem was and how to fix it. I’ve been back a couple times for follow-​up, and he is always professional and polite. It’s true that he’s not the most talkative person on the planet, but when you don’t feel well do you need a chatty Cathy or a competent physician? But in spite of his taciturn demeanor, you can tell he is a caring doctor — it’s more of a «hush up so I can think» silence instead of a «you’re just insurance money to me» kind of silence.
The office did give me pause the first time I went there — it’s kind of cramped and the setup is a bit funky. But the doctor and his staff are competent, and he takes many different insurances. He also responded to my emails remarkably quickly.

I just want a doctor who knows his stuff. You don’t have to be super friendly, you can have an odd sense of humor, I don’t really care as long as you fix whatever is wrong with me.
I sought out Dr. Shum during a desperate episode and was torn between seeing a dermatologist or an internist. Within 2 minutes of me describing my symptoms he diagnosed it and confirmed his suspicions with a checkup. I was just impressed with how quickly and accurately he was able to identify the problem. I’ve been to so many doctors where they would give you a few different possible diagnoses, and a variety of drugs to combat them all. I know they’re just trying to cover all the bases, but like, you know, it may be helpful to nail that shit down in case I ever land in a hospital.
Like I said, I’m a fan of Dr. Shum’s abilities — he’s not much of a conversationalist but then again, that’s not what he’s there for. I was a bit turned off by the lack of defined roles for his aid/​nurse/​receptionist and the overall organization of his office. But still, if you find yourself staring at a giant wtf on your body, I’ld recommend him.