Complaint Review: Dilip J. Mathew MD - Sarasota Florida

I was given a pacemaker due to heart block incurred during valve replacement surgery in Pennsylvania.  A few weeks afterword, my heart healed and I no longer needed the pacemaker.  The technician turned it way down, so that it would no longer capture my heartbeat. I was in the merchant marine, and needed a letter from a Doctor, stating that I was safe to go back to sea.  I moved to Florida after the surgery.  8 months ago, Dr. Matthew in Sarasota examined my records and agreed that I was no longer pacemaker dependent, and that he would write the letter I needed.  I did not recieve a letter though, at that time.  Since then, I have had 2 pacer checks, both confirming that I have not used the pacemaker since right after the surgery, over a year ago.  

A week ago, I requested that Dr. Matthews issue the letter he said he woud write for me.  The secretary at the front desk told me that the Doctor was out, and gave me a date for his return.  I called on that day, and was told that I could pick up the letter the next day, after 2:00 pm.  I made sure she knoew iI woud be making a 45 minute drive to Sarasota for the letter, so I wanted to be sure that it would be there.  She said "anytime after 2:00".  I agreed.  The next day, I arrived in Sarasota at 3:30 pm.  When I called the office, no one knew what I was talking about.  The person that assured me of the letter was gone, and would not return for 2 days.  I headed home after making the wasted trip.  Finally, 3 days later, I get a call from the Doctors office, stating that there will be no letter saying that I can have my pacemeker removed until an EP study is conducted.  First, I asked what happened to my being able to pick up my letter after 2:00 pm the day before?  She backtracked and said that she only promised she would speak with the Doctor and get info for me.  Why then, I asked when I called did no one know what I was talking about at the office?  If that was what she meant, then where was the result of her speaking with the Doctor?  I told her that the ball was dropped, and that I made a trip for nothing due to her dropping it.

Now the letter I require has nothing to do with having my pacemaker removed.  I explained that to the person who called me, and asked why the Doctor was willing to write my letter without an EP study before, but not now.  She had no answer, and was unwilling to go to the Doctor with my question.  The Doctors office has obtined my records, including my most recent, showing the non-use of this pacemaker.  My Cardiologist tells me that I am not pacemaker dependent.  The technician doing the pacer checks states the same.  That's all I need in a letter, yet Dr. Matthews requires an expensive EP study so that he can say it also.  My Cardiologist originally referred me to Dr. Matthews (an Electrophysiologist) to see if we could go ahead and remove the pacemaker since it is doing nothing for me.  I decided not to have it removed, because I have really been through too much, and can do without the further risk of another operation.  

The person who called me from Dr. Matthews office demanded I explain to her why I waited to ask for this letter.  I let her know that my reasons are personal, and none of her business, and that I am seeking a professional answer from her office that has nothing to do with my personal choices.  I asked why the Doctor was willing to write my letter at our last appointment without an EP study, but not now.  I asked what has changed since then, and reminded her that the recent pacer check only serves to confirm my lack of pacemaker dependancy.  (My recent check up with my Cardiologist confirms that nothing has changed, and Dr. Matthews office has those records.)  She then told me that if I wanted to have a letter then I would need an (expensive, and for me out of pocket) EP study.  Then she rudely hung up on me.  My question is an easy one.  If nothing has changed since our last meeting, then why backtrack on a comittment to write a letter of clearence for me, on which rests the future of my career?