Zlock Douglas W, MD

I generally try to avoid anything that sounds like overdrawn superlatives when making objective appraisals, but quite honestly Dr. Zlock may be the best doctor I’ve ever seen in terms of bedside manner and competence. And considering my somewhat borderline hypochondria, and probable serial abuse of a fairly good PPO plan, that’s saying a lot (i.e. from John Muir to Sutter, to Alta Bates, to UCSF, to Stanford, I’ve seen a lot of doctors).
Dr. Zlock was both informed and attentive. Like an accidental encounter with some rare animal, he was actually concerned while listening, and committed to getting to the bottom of my problems. He listened carefully and made notes on a laundry list of problems that most primary doctors would have given up on.
When I was finally done neurotically citing a litany of perceived maladies and a few real conditions, he offered measured and conservative advice, ordered a blood test for a few things related to my actual diagnosed problems, and threw in a few practical tips that empowered me to improve my own health in several ways. My only complaint was that he couldn’t accept tips. If you’re in the East Bay with an endocrinology issue, don’t hesitate to look him up.

I am writing this review because, prior to specializing, Dr, Zlock was my long-​time primary care physician. It’s surreal to me to see these negative reviews; they do not describe the man that I met with on many occasions over several years. I was always very happy with our relationship, and with my medical treatments and the testing that he authorized.
Dr. Zlock was always respectful to me. He consistently listened to me, whether I had a question or concern. He was very open to my opinion regarding treatments, and he always demonstrated trust in me.
He often called me at home, to follow up and make sure things were going okay.
He’s a very cool guy too. His moods were consistently positive, and he never offended me in any regard. He’s both a man’s man, and a ladies man. ;)
From:
(the guy who crossed the continental USA solo on his mountain bike, and developed
serious digestive problems just prior to when you switched to internal medicine) .
Thanks, Dr. Doug!

I’m a hospital RN and have worked with Dr. Zlock for years– some of the reviews here do not describe the doctor I have come to know and respect. He is extremely knowledgeable, caring, patient and one of the most competent physicians I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The reviews calling him egotistical? Wow — that is NOT an accurate description. I wont comment on his office staff as that is not something I have experience with, but if you are looking for an endocrinologist, please don’t hesitate to go to Zlock, the man is the best in his field.

This review is not for Dr. Zlock because unfortunately, I never got to see him. The front desk staff is extremely frustrating. Trying to make an appointment is like pulling teeth. I called multiple times last week and was given the run around by probably 3 different people. I was told he was scheduling appointments for October 23. When I inquired with another woman, I was told I would get my appointment based off of how serious the staff thought my medical issue was. If I’m a new patient being sent to an endocrinologist from my primary care physician, it shouldn’t matter. I was told the October appointment was for current patients, and that they would schedule me for December. It didn’t stop there. They said they would call me back to make my appointment for me within a week. How does this make sense? I am happy to say that I have been given an appointment within the month at UCSF. How hard can customer service be? I would definitely look elsewhere before wasting your time trying to get an appointment in this office!

I have never been so frustrated with a doctor and his staff.
I saw him for the first time in March 2014 and he was fairly nice and seemed thorough — I was happy with the visit and I was going to continue to see him. When I went to fill my prescription, I come to find out that he wrote down my previous prescription wrong and prescribed me the wrong dose. I had blood work done about a month ago and he said that my dose should remain the same, however, when I questioned it — he said to go ahead and just give me the lower dose. Has my blood work even been looked at? I called numerous times in a week, but to deal with rude staff and no answered questions. I communicated that I am nearly out of pills and here I sit again with no call back on what dose I should be on based on my lab results. I will be notifying the proper channels because this is unacceptable.

Douglas Zlock is a very very good doctor. My 87-​year-​old father, a retired physician, has been seeing him for multiple health issues, and he has been knowledgeable, courteous, and informative at all of our office visits. Obviously Dr. Zlock has a great deal of experience, and both myself and my father are appreciative of his level of expertise.
His staff, however, are a different matter altogether. It is disconcerting to call in about a prescription 2 months after a visit, and the staff can’t find a record of it, and when they do (hours later) they insist they must call Dr. Zlock to confirm it. He’s prescribing insulin, for godsake, not Class I narcotics. Plus the doctor works in the John Muir Health network, where everything is painstakingly documented — even I can read the doctor’s comments from the last visit online. How can his office staff possibly not know the end result of my dad’s last visit? Unbelievable.
So I give Dr Zlock a great review, but I have to temper it with a very real concern about the effectiveness of his staff. Put somebody in charge there who has a clue about patient care!

Dr Zlock had been my doctor for about 20 years, and he is wonderful!!! I have a complicated health picture, and he has always given me great care and superb advice. I find Dr Zlock compassionate and caring. Dr Zlock listens to my concerns, answers my questions, and has done an excellent job of getting things approved by my insurance. I have had interaction with a lot of doctors and offices over the years, and Dr Zlock has been an outstanding member of my support team. Yes, it can take some time to book an appointment, that’s just because he is good and he is busy. If I could I would give him 10 stars.

The complaints others have made below also ring true for me. He was my endocrinologist when I lived in Pleasant Hill. He is egotistical and passive-​aggressive and will go from being very calm (almost overly so) to getting extremely uppity and angry when you ask any questions. The term someone uses of unprofessional paternalist egotist is precisely true. One of his office staff was extremely rude to me when I had called, Some of his office staff can be rude and unprofessional in this ridiculously busy practice (and why it is so busy baffles me). I mentioned a concern about this to Zlock, and he completely freaked out — started yelling and screaming at me, and told me that I needed to find a new doctor (after seeing him for several years) because I was questioning the actions of his employees. Now I understand why the staff is rude — because they are allowed to abuse patients just like Zlock. His behavior can only be described as shocking. As soon as I did get a new endocrinologist, I was diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus — something he completely missed and never treated, so his competence as a physician is highly questionable to me.

Tried for almost 3 months to get an appointment. After being on hold for an eternity, I spoke with several staff members who promised to call me back but never did. They also told me they were taking down all of my information yet every time I spoke to someone new, they had no idea what I was talking about. Finally got through months later and was told the doctor was not accepting any new clients.

Got a referral from my primary care physician for Dr Zlock in November 2013. When making an appointment, I was told by staff i had to go through a «review process» to be accepted as a new patient. It was the holidays so i gave it a chance. In late January they left a message on my voicemail saying i was accepted and to make an appointment. After over a month of phone tag, I finally reached someone, and the earliest they could see me was mid-​May. Um, no. If I have to wait 6 months to get an appointment, I don’t trust you or John Muir with my healthcare. That is demonstrably NON HEALTHCARE. Both of you are fired.

Dr. Zlock is a good endo. I“ve been seeing him for about a year since a referral from my primary care dr. He’s affable and open minded. Although I’m not pursuing alternative treatment options at this time for my chronic Hashimoto’s disease — he seems open to referring specialists in that area. Although his office and practice is quite busy, the office staff have a handle on it; and are always polite, professional and caring.

Like Elaine, I’ve been going to Dr. Zlock for years and think he’s great. He’s patient, he explains, he listens. There’s something very wrong with WJ’s comments — I think their condition is mental, not physical.

I felt I had to give Dr. Zlock a review after seeing the one from W.J. I’m quite shocked of WJ’s assessment b/​c that’s not the dr. that I know. I’ve been going to Dr. Zlock from years and I switched from a previous dr. and I haven’t looked back. He spends the time, listens to your concerns and takes your point of view into consideration when prescribing treatment. He doesn’t push or try to coerce you to do his treatment. I’ve always been more conservative and don’t really believe in taking drugs or undergo surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary. He’s been supportive of my decision and my condition continues to improve.

Unprofessional paternalistic egotist. I saw Dr. Zlock after another MD diagnosed and successfully treated me for a rare metabolic condition. Dr. Zlock sarcastically criticized my prior MD and dismissed his diagnosis but provided no rationale and did no tests to confirm or refute it. He continued the treatment the other doctor prescribed and asked if I have MedicAlert to notify paramedics of the condition he says I don’t have (CYA?). He handed me a patient instruction sheet but, when questioned, told me none of the instructions were appropriate. At the end he complained about the amount of time he spent with me. Criticizing other physicians may boost Zlock’s ego but it does nothing for patient care.