I definitely & enthusiastically recommend Dr. Markus Schmidt AND everyone in his office and sleep lab, for that matter, at his Dublin, OH location (that's the only office/sleep lab in which I've seen him, although he has at least one other office northeast of Columbus). Dr. Schmidt has been my doctor since 2008. He is very compassionate & understands all of the specific difficulties with which those of us with narcolepsy uniquely suffer. Dr. Schmidt has been actively researching & treating my specific condition (narcolepsy/cataplexy), as well as numerous others for more years than not (ie, >50% of his lifetime). This translates to a competent, bright clinician, with literally decades of experience, who ALSO actively pursues current research -And all this while still taking the time to compassionately express his concern and heartfelt empathy for each of his patients. His professional competency, experience, intellect and sensitivity is exceeded only by his willingness to take whatever time is necessary to actually hear what I'm saying, rather than just appear to be listening. For example, even among my nine specialists who treat all my other heath problems at UCLA and at Cleveland Clinics, Dr. Schmidt is the first AND the ONLY doctor -ever- who, during my initial consult, actually had his nurse read back to him my entire history she'd just taken from me, BUT while having me sitting in to clarify any points that either she'd misunderstood, or I'd mis-stated. What a brilliant and insightful method to ensure one is obtaining an absolutely accurate and comprehensive history, while efficiently retrieving only the most relevant information. I'm no sleep specialist and have no clue as to what part of my extensive and unusual medical history is relevant to my narcolepsy or not. However, his nurse is obviously well-trained, equally bright, and so skilled in interviewing, her gathering only that information Dr. Schmidt actually needs, wastes neither my time nor his, while ensuring relevance and accuracy in a timely manner. Over the past several years, the office has never cancelled a single appointment on me, but the times I've had to reschedule they always get me in very shortly thereafter. My one frustration is that once I'm checked in and waiting in his lobby to see him, I rarely have even enough time to complete even a half dozen or so entries in his little crossword puzzle book he has for his patients! -lol. Once I'm with him in the back office, I have never felt he was rushing me out, or that he did not have time to sit and address any and all concerns I had. I have never had one problem reaching anyone in the office, including the doctor, by phone. They've never left me waiting on them to return my calls, because there has always been a live person answering any and all of my phone calls to them. Their office is one of the quietest, most peaceful places I've ever visited, and I can relax easily while I am there. They make sure every single question I have is answered, and they all are always available if I think of any other questions later. I will absolutely return. I always have an amazing experience, and they are by far the best I've ever seen. I don't normally take time to complete surveys like this one -ever. And I am not a gusher. But having had my share of awful, rude, incompetent, insensitive & flat-out ignorant doctors with no common sense, who dared even call themselves "specialists," I have no problem identifying the competent few, nor telling anyone how Dr. Schmidt so obviously outranks most. I am not the only one who recognizes this, and he is also well respected by his colleagues. For example, when i went to Cleveland Clinics for a second opinion after my initial consult with him, both Cleveland sleep doctors upon discovering who my local sleep specialist was, said, "Oh, if Dr. Schmidt is your doctor, you could be in no better hands -even here. He is one of the very best. Whatever he recommends, we absolutely support. You have NO need to drive all the way up here to be treated and followed by us. He is at least as competent as anyone you would see in our clinic, and we have complete faith in him." Ditto and kudos, Dr. Schmidt; you're The Best!
by SouthernCalSnoozyGal
September 12, 2011