Mary Thomas is my 86 year old Mother and a patient of Dr. Richard (chip) Griffith in Marietta.

Mary Thomas is my 86 year old Mother and a patient of Dr. Richard (chip) Griffith in Marietta. My husband, who is also a Marietta physician! and I had become increasingly concerned about my mothers seeming memory loss and even though we did not want to alarm her of our concern, we felt it would be prudent to have her tested.

I called Dr Griffiths office and spoke to a very helpful nurse. I explained the situation and asked that Dr Griffith suggest testing at my Mothers next scheduled appointment, I repeatedly emphasized the need for confidentiality of my call. When the nurse called me back after speaking with Dr Griffith, she assured me she had both spoken about our desire for the call to remain confidential and that she had also put a note on my mothers chart.

At my mothers next appointment, Dr. Griffith laughingly told her of my call to his nurse,and that he did not feel any testing was needed. Needless to say my Mother was very hurt and upset that I had made the call and suggested she might have a memory problem.

I felt this to be highly unprofessional on the part of Dr. Griffith. The memory problem seems to be worsening but I certainly do not feel I can speak to this doctor again after his actions. Since my mother lives with us and I observe her daily, along with the fact I am part of a medical family and hardly an alarmist, I feel that Dr Griffith should have handled this situation very differently. I hope you will forward this email to an appropriate person.