Swedish Downtown Seattle Primary Care

I saw Christopher Etzkorn for an annual physical.
I have seen a lot of bad reviews for him for not being compassionate, but I don't know what all the fuss is about.
I went there for a reason and it wasn't for a hug.
He was very to the point and efficient.

My interactions with everyone there were pleasant.
I also appreciated that there was nobody in the waiting room. They make a point to bring you into an examination room promptly to limit your exposure to other people.

The only things I didn't like were getting my temp taken twice with a contact style thermometer to the forehead.

Also, the parking is EXPENSIVE.
They comp$5 of the total. But I didn't want to find that I was there for 2 hours and out of$20 for parking so I opted for street parking.

Overall, my experience was better here than at other locations.
I would certainly go back.

I was a patient at this clinic for 4 years. I finally made the ultimate decision to switch to UW after my last appointment here. The ARNP I used to see left the practice awhile back and since then it has gone downhill IMO. There seems to be a lack of empathy & compassion and it seems more of a "textbook" type of care than before.

I have been suffering from headaches for over 20 years. I've always been brushed off by doctors and told it's because my eyes are bad (I do wear glasses) or that I am dehydrated. I realized the last year they have gotten worse and I am taking Tylenol twice DAILY. For perspective, I got a Costco sized bottle 6 months ago and it's nearly empty.
Anyways, I came in to see Dr Minh Dao fully expecting to be referred for imaging. Instead she made an "expert" assumption that it's probably stress, tension, dehydration, and lack of my intake of vitamins. Told me my symptoms weren't concerning and that she doesn't feel it necessary to order imaging yet. Then prescribed me muscle relaxers and told me to continue my daily intake of Tylenol and made a follow up appointment for 4 weeks out.

I left the appointment and cried in my car. Frustrated that I'm being written off when it took a lot to come into this appointment for fear that ANOTHER doctor would make me feel stupid or uneducated about MY body. This seems to be common practice with doctors and I wish I could understand why.

I sent a MyChart message enunciating my disappointment with her advice and lack of empathy. And requested I be sent for imaging.

Fast forward about a month, my imaging showed signs of a rare brain condition in which she then referred me to neurosurgery and I am scheduled for brain surgery next month.

I wrote this review to say, in hopes she and other crappy doctors will see this - listen to your patients. Just because you have the degrees in education does not mean you know everything about someone's body and it's ok to admit that and refer them out to someone who may be able to help past your knowledge window. It is no sweat off your back or your paycheck to refer patients for testing to rule things out. It hurts nobody!! Had I not advocated for myself, I would not know what I do now.

Do better.

I called today (in pain) to appoint with my primary care physician. I haven't seen any doctor in over two years as I haven't needed to. A little over 2 years ago i got second opinion with another primary care physician. It was suggested by the front desk that "I go see the other provider" cause "in their eyes since I established with another provider the relationship ended." The receptionist told me after 3 years of not being seen, I'm considered a new patient. The problem is that it HAS NOT been 3 years. This is patient abandonment! I was not even offered another appoint with another provider. Since when am I not allowed a second opinion? I was never made aware of of these policies. A letter close to the time of "ending a relationship" is standard practice. Even when legally dismissing a patient a certified letter is required. At the end of the call I wasn't given an appointment. I was told I would get a call later today from the triage nurse. The receptionist was rude! I found it weird that she was telling ME who I considered to be my Primary Care Physician.

Update: After hearing nothing for 4 hours I called to follow up, only to find out from the front desk they are suggesting I go to Urgent care! She said the clinic is booked up for weeks. I'm beyond pissed. They could've told me this from the beginning instead of wasting half my day when I'm sick and in pain. Emily was not only rude but spoke over me when expressing my dissatisfaction over how how everything was handled.

All appointments need to wait 4-6 weeks. No guarantee your appointment won't be canceled one week before the date due to provider's personal issues or other stuffs, then you need to wait another 4-6 weeks. Keeps going this way. More difficult than getting an appointment with a specialist

If you're simply looking for a new primary care doc, look elsewhere - they apparently are not interested in preventative care. This place seemed perfect on the surface - close to work and good reviews from colleagues. I called to make an appointment and a miracle happened - a doctor was accepting new patients! My excitement was short- lived; I was informed that their doctors don't do physicals on new patients and that I could only make an appointment if I had a known issue or problem. Excuse me!?! How am I supposed to know if something is wrong with me if I can't have a baseline check up done!?! Ridiculous.

Tried to make an new patient visit, waited for more than an HOUR on the phone to schedule then finally gave up. There was a voicemail option yet I truly needed to make an appointment today for administrative reasons. Unbelievable. The providers may be competent yet, if access is so limited for basic needs, why bother? Believe the reviews, there are other options for decent providers AND support staff.

I visited Swedish for the first time last December and saw Dr. Karmali for a general checkup. Dr. Karmali is amazing and I wrote a review for her separately. As for Swedish at this location, it's pretty great. I used to work in the Safeco Plaza building, but now I work in a separate location about five minutes away (walking time). I don't think I waited more than 10 minutes between checking in and being taken to the back by a nurse. After she took my vitals, I think I waited a good 15-20 minutes before Dr. Karmali entered the room. She gave me more than enough time to change. The entire appointment started on time, but seeing the doctor was quite a bit later than my scheduled appointment time. I think I got out about 45 minutes after the estimated end time, but maybe that's because I was a new patient and Dr. Karmali was so attentive to learning all about me.

Going back this December to Swedish to see Dr. Karmali again!

I love Dr. Elaine Roe.

Same day appointments!! Phone calls returned quickly!! Dr. Roe definitely makes you feel at ease and will take her time to understand the issue, take necessary tests and create a treatment plan.

Highly recommended.

My review is for my primary care doctor, Elaine Roe. I've been seeing Dr. Roe for nearly 3 years now and I have always been impressed by her professionalism and bedside manner. I feel comfortable asking her questions and she gives feedback and advice without coming across as being judgmental or negatively authoritative. I hope to continue seeing Dr. Roe for many years to come.

I have also seen Dr. Karmali for a few emergency appointments when Dr. Roe was not available and I was impressed with her as well.

I have never had a problem getting appointments with her and have even gotten in on the same-day I've called on occasion.

The one star I gave is for the lovely reception staff. Dr. Etskorn, however, made me feel like I was a waste of his time. He insulted me. He rushed me. He refereed me elsewhere and couldn't even accurately explain why. He was smug and rude and, by far, the worst experience I have ever had in a physician's office. His bedside manner was one of hate and judgement. I honestly felt like he HATED me. Not just indifferent. He should not be practicing medicine. I have filed a report with the Washington State Department of Health. People like him are the reason that people are scared to see doctors. They are afraid they will be treated the way he treated me. He also saw my wife and her experience was exactly the same. Shame on him and shame on Swedish for keeping him.