Dr. Joseph David Zibrak

Misgendered me consistently despite information being in my chart, and despite working for a famously LGBTQ+ office. Focused significantly on weight to the exclusion of other relevant elements of my medical history. Got good info about best use of current meds. Had exercise mansplained to me. Will be seeking an outside of Fenway referral in future for better experience building patient trust.

This doctor is one of the most disrespectful human beings I have ever encountered. I especially recommend women against seeing him. I was a few minutes late to my appointment, having gotten lost. He came into the waiting room, arms crossed, as I sat to fill out my paperwork, and stood over me with his arms crossed lecturing me for 10 minutes about how little time he has for late patients. Then, he checked with his breathing team staff and found out they were able to “squeeze me in” after all. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about whether this lecture was a good use of anyone’s time, or if it just made him feel good. I have a complicated set of symptoms, work with multiple specialists, am on a newer medication, and recently moved from out of state. All that said, I have my condition fairly under control and am confident about my current medication regimen. He disparaged not just the medications themselves, but the need for me to be on them, and the doctors’ judgments who had prescribed them. He said a pulmonologist is the only one who should be treating my issues (despite, as I said, my having been successfully treated by other specialists and recommended by his colleagues in other specialties to continue that regimen). He also, with ghost storytelling finesse, tried to warn me that my insurance company was going to stop covering my medication (as though they hadn’t already cleared it and said they would cover it). He asked something about my doctors out of state but became very agitated when I mentioned my doctors “here,” saying I need to be more specific about where “here” is because there are lots of hospitals in Boston, “like the Yankees and the Mets.” I don’t need an analogy; I understand the concept and was mirroring his geographical distinction between doctors “there” and “here.” He finished this completely unhelpful and unsatisfying appointment—in which, again, I told him I feel fine and he said I’m on all the wrong things—by calling for a follow up visit (to what?) in three weeks. In that time, he wanted records from my doctors. The same doctors whose advice and reasoning I had tried to explain to him and been shot down as though I can’t possibly know what I’m talking about. “Doctors talk to each other differently than they talk to their patients,” he explained, as if to a child. I did take him on his advice to schedule a follow up...but I just called back and switched it to a different doctor. I can tell the staff and equipment there are top notch. He does not belong. I think it’s telling that a friend had a similar experience and that, when I called to switch, the receptionist didn’t seem at all phased. They must get this a LOT. I’ll review the new doc after I see them. I hope Dr. Z sees this review and reflects on his behavior. Hilary This doctor is one of the most disrespectful human beings I have ever encountered. I especially recommend women against seeing him. … More

I have had a cough and allergies for years, never connecting the two. He was the first to listen to me respectfully, try to help me manage the symptoms with alternatives and follow up.

Terrible

Joseph is impatient and inarticulate. His bedside manner lacks client compassion.

Dr. Zibrak was thorough, patient and explained everything I had questions about. Very knowledgeable and was able to put things in lay terms so I could understand. He has many years of experience and wisdom. I would highly recommend him.

Treated my COPD

I have to agree with the other ratings: arrogant, dismissive, belittling of patients and the residents, overbearing, acts very put out when called on to consult on cases not involving critical care. Maybe one would have to put up with this in small town America, but this is Boston, do yourself a favor and go to someone else

Although my PFTs are worse now than when my asthma was diagnosed, Dr. Zibrak states these results are 'normal' and my breathing is fine. Dr. Zibrak advised 'continue doing what you've been doing' despite experiencing two serious asthma attacks in less than three weeks. He trivialized my concerns regarding my diagnosis and treatment, and refused to further evaluate the problem. Dr. Zibrak left me with the impression the consultation was an imposition for him.