Terence Chen's Online Review Report Card

Dr. Chen saved my life as I know it and I’ll be forever grateful.

WOW! The reviews I’m reading have not been my experience! July 2021 Dr. Chen treated me for discectomy. He is highly respected at JM Walnut Creek and that is seen in the patient care received while in hospital. In April 2022 Dr. Chen fused a portion of my spine and I’m blessed to have been treated with so much compassion from a man that absolutely knows what he’s doing! I have been pain free and back to my regular activities for over a year! I had to wait a few weeks for my initial appointment and I understood that Dr. Chen has both a personal practice as well as hospital duties/responsibilities to tend to. I decided to be patient and get the absolute care and I’m glad I did. I’d also like to say the girls in the office are kind, responsive and do a great job!

Dr.Chen is an excellent brain surgeon. He saved my life.

Dr. Chen doesn’t want to see patience nor treat them. I went with previous scans. Proof of my tumors. And he said there was nothing wrong with me. Even told me my updated MRI scans were clean. I asked for the report and he got very defensive. Turns out the scans weren’t even in the system and the report wasn’t even created! I got a second opinion and there was indeed a tumor that needs to be removed. And that tumor was on the report. If you are a woman don’t bother going. This man is one of those doctors who believe women aren’t really sick, just “emotional”.

Amazingly arrogant office. They routinely cancel on the day of appointment without as much as a courtesy call, then accuse you of not checking with them ahead of time. Apparently, their rude receptionist runs the office and decides who and when should see the doctor.

Obnoxious doctor who is rarely in the office. First, you get screened by the rudest receptionist, who will decides whether let you come or not. She demands tons of paperwork; without it you can’t even make an appointment. Next, you wait and wait. When you show up for the appointment, they tell you that doctor is not in the office, and you need to start the whole scheduling from scratch. No apologies, not even recognizing the suffering. Talking to the office manager is pointless and the receptionist slams the partition window in your face. Dr. Chen doesn’t care; he lets insolent receptionist call the shots, and patients must wait for months in agonizing pain for an appointment with the “Royal highness”.

Arrogant staff, a disorganized office. They make you wait for 6 weeks for an appointment, then cancel the same day without warning or apology. Dr. Chen is too busy somewhere else and lets his rude receptionist run the office. Be prepared to make several fruitless visits before you see (if lucky) the doctor.

Rude receptionist, inefficient office manager, disorganized office. The doctor doesn't care about the schedule and cancels appointments at the last minute (without a phone call or email message). No apologies either.

The rudest staff. If you want to be insulted by a young receptionist, that's the place. After waiting a month, they canceled the appointment without even a phone call (I showed up on time and was told that the doctor won't be in the office that day), then they said it was my fault for not checking with them ahead of time. [!!!] Dr. Chen doesn't care but agrees with the way the staff treats his patients.

I was first diagnosed with severe stenosis by another doctor who recommended immediate surgery. I got a 2nd opinion from Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen’s opinion was that while I had an advanced case, I would be able to put off the operations until the symptoms got worst. This advice was spot on as I was able to delay the operation for another 2 years. Upon returning to Dr. Chen he was very thorough and professional and funny in explaining my conditions and options. I had 2 operations scheduled a year apart. While Dr. Chen would not promise any more than to stop the symptoms, my operations resulted in a marked improvement in my condition. My mobility has been restored to a level that I had many years ago. I cannot thank Dr. Chen enough on how he has helped me. I highly recommend him should you find yourself in need of his services.