Christopher G Walsh Md's Online Review Report Card

Terrific, efficient doctor with a great bedside manner. Intelligently educates patients while giving them plenty of time to ask questions. The office staff is friendly and helpful - atypical - which makes the entire experience extremely positive. I had to wait months to get a new patient appointment and it was worth it. I saw him at the Shirlington office. Highly recommend!

I selected Dr. Walsh on the recommendation of another Dr. at VA Hospital Center. One of his specialities is geriatic medicine- and while I don't feel old, I meet the age criteria. On my first physical, we did an extensive work up - not just blood, but bones, mental health, lots of questions about my medicines, and well, precautions with sex over 60. It has been a life changing experience. I now understand that many medicines metabolize differently as we age. I understand the ramifications of unhealthy eating and being overweight as we age. (I have gone on a new eating plan - for over a year and proud to say I've lost 25 lbs.- now I am in the healthy range). When adding a medicine, we do it slowly, one at a time, smallest dose to see how things work. We are watching my lungs - having had double pneumonia and now some scaring, and will repeat a chest X-ray in a year. We are going to do base lines for brain functioning this next year- this is a first that a doctor brings up this subject. Its not just Dr. Walsh that I am so high on. The staff doesn't change, and they get to know you. They have an automated system where you can ask a question, schedule an appointment, view your test results, update meds taking, etc. And it works!!!!Another reviewer said it is difficult to get an appointment. It can be longer if you want a specific location, but believe me, if something needs to be taken care of right now, you are accomodated. In the COVID era, it might be a virtual appointment (he's not the only dr. doing this) and for certain things it is totally fine.There was also a negative note from others on the timeframe on an appointment - that is true and is based on what you are there for. A routine follow up is 20-30 minutes. If you start throwing other issues into the appointment, as I have done, some are accommodated, others I am told what the purpose of the appointment was, and I need to schedule another. Be prepared to be on time - like 15 minutes early. If you are 10 minutes late, they do not see you. This keeps them on schedule. There have been times where I have had to wait longer than expected in a room. Every time its been because of a someone who had a medical emergency and had to be seen. So bring a book. Know that if you need extra time, they will give it to you.One last thing - you can ask Dr. Walsh anything-I might blush with some of my questions, (well mostly these are the ones concerning sexual activity as a senior), but he doesn't. People, things have sure changed out there, and they have learned a lot since our biology class training on this subject. I see an orthopedic dr. who is not affiliated with VA Hospital Center. This does not stop Dr. Walsh from coordinating my treatment plans, getting updates, and discussing all of it with him as well. Between the two of them, sometimes it the ortho's call, sometimes its Dr. Walsh. What is refreshing is from a medical standpoint, they very much think alike. Dr. Walsh makes notes into the computer system as the appointment progresses and goes over them with you. For sure, we are hearing each other. In the medical profession, this has become a rarity. I feel very blessed to have him as my geriatric internal medicine dr., as does my family. If you want to have a dr. that only tells you what you want to hear, or if you don't plan to do as you are told, don't bother seeking him out. If you want real medicine, look no further.

Just had my first physical with Dr. Walsh and the experience was phenomenal. Everyone including the scheduler, front desk, checkout, and medical assistant were incredibly pleasant and professional.His examination was very thorough and precise. He picked up on things that only specialists had picked up on previously. He went the extra mile to counsel me on things most internists wouldn't.Highly recommend him and his staff!

Dr. Walsh's practice is the Jiffy Lube of modern medicine -- In and out within twenty minutes, unless their system happens to crash. When this happens, and the receptionist told me it happens often, twice on the day I was there, the staff panics and goes into an aggressive form of triage!I showed up for my appointment. After waiting 50 minutes I was informed that I did not have an appointment. They explained to me that they use an outside service to schedule doctor visits and that the company made a mistake entering my data. While I was waiting, I hear the office staff complain about their system crashing twice that day! Because I was insistent that they fit me into their schedule, they told me I was being argumentative. I was finally taken into an examination room after waiting an additional 40 minutes. To my surprise, when Dr. Walsh entered the room it was not for an examination but rather to chastise me for what his office manager said was rude behavior. I interrupted Dr. Walsh to explain, for the third time, that their reoccurring problem with the service they employ for scheduling is not my problem nor my concern and suggested they find a more reliable service. This comment must of upset him immensely. I witnessed an intense reaction on his part; his hands actually began to tremble! YIKES.Dr. Walsh ordered me to leave his office. He stated that we were not a suitable match. Gee, I thought I was going in for a physical, not a date. Had I known, I would have worn matching socks and clean underwear.

I was nervous about finding a new Primary Care Physician after moving to the area, as the Doctor I had before moving had been my Primary Care Physician for 20 years. I have to say that I was and continue to be a fan after two years of excellent, professional, quality, compassionate and knowledgeable care. The staff is friendly and helpful and Dr. Walsh is excellent. He does not rush you through your appointment, always takes the time to answer any and all of your questions in detail. I also appreciate that your appointment times are usually met on a punctual basis. I hate having an appointment time that I have been courteous enough to show up for ON-TIME and waiting forever in the waiting room....happy to say that this situation has not occurred in Dr. Walsh's office. I also appreciate and value the Patient Portal that this office participates in.

My first appointment as new patient was great! I am new to the area and needed a primary care physician. He was listed as one of the top doctors in Northern VA in a magazine, so it took 6 months to get an appt as a new patient. He did a very thorough exam for a routine physical. Asked questions, listened to my concerns, great interpersonal skills. Even though I can tell he was busy, he didn't rush through the exam (which I hate!).I found my primary care physician!

Dr Walsh has been our family doctor for over 10 years. Excellent care and his staff is extremely nice. As with any highly regarded medical professional, especially one who is rated in top 100, appointments sometimes take a few days in advance but his service and care is worth the wait. We recommend him and his practice to anyone seek the best medical care in our area.

Sadly, this once great practice has lost what it once had. I called on 2/06/2014 to schedule a yearly physical and ask for a prescription refill.After 3 attempts that day (during which I was on hold for 20+ minutes) I was told that there were no available appointments until July. I asked for another doctor but was informed that only the original primary care physician will perform the physical. I'm not sure why as the last two visits the doctor didn't seem to remember me and they do everything electronically.Long phone wait times? Four-month waits for appointments? It appears their schedule is full and they don't need any more patients. Too bad - I used really like the practice.

This practice is comprised of competently educated doctors, however, they lack the type of personalized care and attention to patients (and let's not forget customers) needs. Given their slick appearance and apparent professionalism I had expected much better. Additionally, they have little regard for returning calls, or picking up the phone - typical wait time is 10-15 minutes, just to set an appointment. Do yourself a favor, and find one of the other hundred doctors in the DC Area.

I tried for two days to schedule an appointment. The most frustrating thing is that the hold message says that they "apologize for this longer than usual wait time" yet both days I tried calling I waited over 20 minutes for someone to pick up. I find that today, I am more impacted by the office staff's lack of professionalism than by the lack of bedside manner or rushed nature of the physicians. Consumer beware