Tae S Chung's Online Review Report Card

I was astonished by some of the negative comments concerning Dr. Chung, wondering if this is the same doctor who is treating me for osteoporosis. In my visits, Dr. Chung is considerate, happy to answer my questions and concerns in understandable detail. He gets to the point, rather than rambling on, a quality which I appreciate. Dr. Chung also has a quiet sense of humor. I highly recommend Dr. Chung as an excellent, caring, knowledgable physician.

Easily got an appointment, office staff exceptionally polite and efficient, Dr. Chung was pleasant, obviously knowledgeable, thorough, ordered appropriate tests.

Dr Chung seems to know his craft. My mom has complex medical issues and sees many doctors. Dr. Chung not only offered his rheumatology findings but I really appreciated his neutral view of my other medical issues....second opinion as a general physician.

After reading the reviews I can understand how some people might take his quickness as inconsiderate or uncaring, but I thought he was very good. We talked about several possible issues since the initial thinking of RA was not the answer. He ordered x rays of the areas of pain, pulled fluid from knee, and discovered Lyme disease. He warned me about all the "junk" on the web about Lyme and told me to stick with official medical sites that he recommended for getting information. He treated me with antibiotics and when I decided not to move to the IV drug, he respected that and told me to come back if / when the pain and swelling returned, and we would decide what to do at that time. Honestly I think people need to take more responsibility for asking questions and participating in their own treatment decisions.

His bedside manor leaves a lot to be desired! He accused me of being a Nona-compliant patient after 5 minutes of my describing my experience with a previous rheumatologist! We had a "spirited" discussion after that. He's never for the faint of heart!!

The reason the wait time is so short is because he spends virtually zero time with his patients. His staff is polite and courteous and always friendly, but I have been a patient of Dr. Chung's for YEARS for some reason. Every time I visit him, I end up crying -- even when I go in with stories of progress, I leave feeling defeated. I am currently searching for a new rheumatologist right now. Anyone who works with patients with chronic pain should be mindful of how to speak with them -- but Dr. Chung lacks compassion, courtesy, and concern. I firmly believe that Dr. Chung knows about rheumatology, but his knowledge fails to make up for the rudeness and lack of bedside manner that are characteristic of appointments with him.

Sent me for xrays at hospital of every joint in my body, had at least 50 xrays. Wasn't very happy about that. Gave me 3 different diagnoses in 2 visits.

He was great and looking forward to seeing him on the regular.

Eye opening in a bad way. I have never been so belittled or treated like I was crazy by a doctor in my life. I came to him for a second opinion and possibly switch rheumatologists as mine is very knowledgeable, but too busy. His first question was, "Why are you here?" When I told him I wanted a second opinion, there was an uncomfortable silence before he proceeded with the exam and concluded with fibromyalgia. He then told me no medication would help, just exercise. I have no problem with exercise especially since I have problems tolerating the medications used to treat fibromyalgia, but he then went on to tell me that only jogging would help. I have an arthritic back and hips and have been advised by other specialists NOT to jog, which is why I hike, bike, and swim. When I brought this up, he cut me off and said jogging was the only thing that would give me the right type of cardiovascular exercise. He apparently has not hiked a long incline in the Blue Ridge. My second visit showed that my inflammation levels were high. He told me this with a straight face and said that nothing was wrong with me, that his "more obese patients" tended to get numbers like this (I am assuming this was my c-reactive protein level and not my sed rate). I am 5'9 and 145 pounds. While I can stand to lose a few, I wouldn't classify myself as obese. Needless to say, I went back to my original rheumatologist and am still considering another practice as I still feel that I am not getting enough time with my doctor. Anyone will be better than Dr. Chung though. He has appeared in the Washingtonian Top Doctors issue and I'm not sure how. He seems like he might be a good researcher. Maybe that's where his heart truly is but he felt pressured to work with patients instead?

Wow. I've met some bad doctors with poor bedside manner and clinical skills. But this takes the cake.