Dr. Saira Malik's former patients not surprised by reprimand
Some former patients say it comes as no surprise that a Dartmouth family doctor who yelled at her staff, was rude to patients, didn't safeguard confidentiality and was accused of not providing proper followup has been reprimanded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
In addition to the reprimand, Dr. Saira Malik will have to take a record keeping course, complete a program to address her "disrespectful style and generally unprofessional behaviour," and take part in an audit that will review deficiencies.
She also owes the college $5,000 to cover the cost of the investigation.
Former patient Dallas Rochelieau wasn't one of the complainants, but says she found Malik online when her family was searching for a physician.
"She was very rude and condescending, from our first visit," she said. After two visits Rochelieau says she'd had enough.
"She couldn't read our files right and she was reading results from the previous year when I was asking her for the current year's results and just seemed very disorganized and I just didn't feel comfortable."
Laurie McMaster had a similar experience and says she is glad other patients came forward to report Malik and she was ultimately reprimanded.
Could hear doctor yelling
"She would bring up other patient's symptoms or ailments or treatments she had come to a conclusion on. Never mention anyone by name, but I was still hearing hearing about people's personal issues," McMaster said.
She says Malik often would not listen and there were times she could hear the doctor yelling, but didn't know if it was directed at another patient or staff.
According to the college, Malik had been counselled or cautioned four times in the past about "breaches of patient confidentiality, attitude, and failure to follow required policies regarding acceptance of new patients" prior to the latest complaints.
The college reviewed complaints from three patients. One woman who was pregnant said Malik refused to address a cervix issue even though the woman explained repeatedly she'd had problem pregnancies before.
In another case, the college said Malik refused to followup on lab work ordered by a doctor at a walk-in clinic.
Malik's response to the patient complaints and investigation was one of defiance, the college said. She called one patient "racist and crazy," and the committee found she "lacked insight" and was disrespectful during the investigation.
At one point, the decision says, "Dr. Malik stated she cannot change her personality and does not care what the patient thinks."
That said, the investigation committee found that aside from individual complaints, "No overall pattern of incompetent medical skills was identified."