[Dr. Christianson was] a big proponent of eSET. Since our embryos were at blast stage as well as PGS screened as normal, she feels that only transferring one at a time is ideal. She did say that ultimately the decision is ours though...is pleasant and is great at working with their online messaging portal to answer emails promptly. Again I feel like I needed to really push for more information as I am a medical professional and want actual explanations as to what we are doing and why. One of my major concerns that I was originally referred for was not really addressed in a timely manner.
When preparing for our IUI [at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute], I had conversations and very specific instructions from my primary doctor in this clinic. When I called to inform the nursing staff of my cycle, the nurse was rude and basically told me that I was mistaken and that none of what I had been told was actually going to happen. I had to escalate to the doctor as well as the nurse manager of the practice. In the end, I was correct and the cycle was done as I had originally been told but the extreme unprofessionalism and conflicting statements made me lose confidence in this clinic as a whole.
How was your experience with Mindy Christianson at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute?
Dr. Christianson is pleasant and is great at working with their online messaging portal to answer emails promptly. Again I feel like I needed to really push for more information as I am a medical professional and want actual explanations as to what we are doing and why. One of my major concerns that I was originally referred for was not really addressed in a timely manner. I also did not like that while she is my primary doctor in this practice that she did not perform my egg retrieval or my upcoming frozen embryo transfer. More consistency with seeing your actual doctor is preferred.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Mindy Christianson at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute?
BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. You will not get any hand holding and very little explanations unless you demand them. Most appointments are very short so have a list of your questions ready otherwise you'll be rushed out of the office very quickly and will forget to ask them. Don't be afraid to do your own research. Utilize the patient portal to send emails and questions directly to the doctor. She is very good at responding to these in a timely manner.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Mindy Christianson at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute?
This is my only point of reference as I have not been to any other clinics but it it quite impersonal. While you have a primary physician that oversees your care, you see many different doctors and even had a completely different doctor perform my egg retrieval. The morning ultrasound appointments, while efficient, make you feel like you are being herded like cattle and there is little to no bedside manner during those visits. I have found that you really need to do your own research and be your own advocate. There is no hand-holding so if you are looking for a doctor to really spend time with you and make you feel that they care about you as a person, this is certainly not the clinic to provide that.
Describe the protocols Mindy Christianson used in your cycles at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute and their degree of success.
We started the whole process with hormone testing, HSG, saline ultrasound and semen analysis. We attempted timed intercourse with Letrazole and a trigger injection but it was unsuccessful. We did one IUI using Clomid and a trigger injection which was also unsuccessful. Due to my age we then went on to IVF. Stimulated with Menopur, Gonal-F and cetrotide for the egg retrieval. Only ended up with 2 blast embryos which we did PGS screening on and are frozen awaiting frozen embryo transfer. Currently on Estrogen patches, Progestone in oil injections, antibiotics/steroids in prep for transfer.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
The nursing staff is professional but they are right in line with the lack of bedside manner or support that I would expect from a specialty clinic. They obviously have a lot of patients and probably deal with the same protocols and questions from hormonal women every day but they are not super pleasant and only provide the bare minimum of information unless you press them. I also had an extremely unpleasant interaction with one of the nurses over the phone that I took it to the nurse manager of the office since she was completely unprofessional, rude and actually WRONG about the information she was giving me. The support staff (medical assistants) are probably the nicest of all of their employees.
Describe your experience with Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
Strengths: They usually run on time with appointments (not morning ultrasounds because these are first come first served). The patient portal email system is easy to navigate and read in a timely manner. The nursing support staff (medical assistants) are very pleasant and professional.
Weaknesses: Feels extremely impersonal and you don't feel like you are treated like an individual but rather just another person to put on their protocols. Extreme variations in practice between all of the physicians. Lack of bedside manner and tend to give bare minimum information without prompting.
Things to know: Be your own advocate and do your own research. Get a second opinion if you are able.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
They do monitoring ultrasounds every day (7 days per week) from 7am-8:30am. They are done on a first come, first served basis. There is usually a line forming outside of the clinic before it even opens as early as 6:15am. You see a different doctor almost every time and there is no small talk. They just want your ultrasound done and to get you out of there.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Mindy Christianson at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
IUI x1, IVF retrieval x1, FET x1 - approx. $25k
Describe Mindy Christianson's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
Dr. Christianson with a big proponent of eSET. Since our embryos were at blast stage as well as PGS screened as normal, she feels that only transferring one at a time is ideal. She did say that ultimately the decision is ours though.
What specific things went wrong at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute?
- Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
- Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
When preparing for our IUI, I had conversations and very specific instructions from my primary doctor in this clinic. When I called to inform the nursing staff of my cycle, the nurse was rude and basically told me that I was mistaken and that none of what I had been told was actually going to happen. I had to escalate to the doctor as well as the nurse manager of the practice. In the end, I was correct and the cycle was done as I had originally been told but the extreme unprofessionalism and conflicting statements made me lose confidence in this clinic as a whole.
5
Clinic
Johns Hopkins Medical Institute
Baltimore