Family Health Center of Montclair

One star for the front desks inability to schedule an appointment. Went for an appointment today and was informed my appointment was yesterday before I even scheduled the appointment.
Another star given for providing another opportunity for an appointment 2 and half hours later. Not the best accommodation when you paid for two hours worth of parking and have other obligations.

These doctors are good for physicals or small things, but I do not recommend them for sick visits. Dr Grobstein has misdiagnosed me twice. I had two very testable infections on separate occasions but she wouldn’t order the tests because she didn’t think is exhibited all the symptoms. Over all good for well visits, bad for sick visits.

This place is hit and miss. I’ve been going since 2001 and there are constantly new doctors added to the rotation. My advice is to stick with the doctor that seems to work for you. Over the years, for me, that’s been Dr. Grobstein. She really knows her stuff. She’s been doing this long enough that she knows what’s going on when she sees it and doesn’t waste time guessing or leaving you guessing on the diagnosis and solution. She’s always nailed it first visit and that includes knowing when something is beyond her expertise and that a specialist is needed, and accordingly knowing who to recommend.
Unfortunately, appointments are brief and feel rushed. And at least one of the doctors I saw seemed inexperienced — telling me to wait 10 days before trying an antibiotic — which in the end made an enormous difference. And another doctor seemed disinterested in my thoughts on what was wrong with me — despite my symptoms and a known exposure. She ran a million tests and none of them as it turned out, were the right direction for what I later found was wrong. It took going back to Grobstein herself to get the right test.
They also completely close the office for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m. You can’t reach anyone during that time, though sometimes the doctor might call you back then if you’ve left word before they close for lunch. The office doesn’t open until 9 a.m. and closes around 5 p.m. I find it rather odd that you can’t even get a receptionist from 1 — 2 p. m in the middle of the workday. It’s a medical practice, not a florist. Health is urgent and there are only so many hours in a day.

I have been a patient of Dr Grobstein for 12 years. I love that she is not only an internist, but also OB/​Gyn. One stop shopping! I also love that the practice has all women doctors. AND I love that they use the «Relay Health» website to communicate via email with the MD’s there when you have an issue rather than having to call on the phone. It sometimes can be an issue to get an appointment, but at other times it’s so easy, it’s surprisingly great. the office is super easy to find, right in Watchung Plaza in Montclair, right by the train station. Parking (metered) is generally not a problem when I’ve been for appointments, during the week. I have recommended Dr Grobstein many times.