"I have been very upset by this encounter"

I recently went to ED in DHH with palpitations,  the 1st ECG showed AF, it was supposed to be repeated after 30 mins but it was slightly longer than that before it was repeated. By then I had sneezed violently several times in quick succession and self reverted to sinus rhythm. The doctor I saw was lovely, they listened to my concerns and answered my questions. I was referred to the ambulatory cardiology unit. My only issue with that visit was that after the doctor had spoken to the Reg, they came back and started to discuss my care in the waiting room in front of other patients,  but when my husband asked if we could discuss it somewhere private, they took us to a room, so overall, I was very happy and was seen very quickly.

Then seven days later  I had more palpitations,  these were not prolonged like the previous week but they were frequent short runs and I was feeling breathless. I returned to ED, the NA was lovely and did the ECG and bloods, but I wasn't having a palpitation at that moment.

When I saw the doctor it appeared they'd already decided there was nothing wrong with me, they asked questions but didn't listen to the answers, they were very dismissive. My husband explained he was concerned about the palpitations I'd been feeling and he'd insisted on bringing me to ED as he wanted a second opinion. The ED doctor then said everything was completely normal and that palpitations could be induced by hysteria and they couldn't understand why the previous doctor I saw had referred me to cardiology and that I didn't need that appointment.

I then said I'd been in AF and the doctor said no you weren't. They said they'd looked at my ECG, it was a normal sinus rhythm, then asked me if I'd had chest pain, nausea, sweating. When I answered no, they told me I wasn't in AF. (I hadn't had any of those symptoms the previous week either, when I was in AF). The doctor asked if I had a watch ECG or anything and I tried to show them the strange beats I'd had on my phone and they were totally dismissive. So I asked them again if I had not been in AF, they repeatedly said no. I explained there were 2 ECGs and they said there was only 1. 

The doctor went away to look and came back with a slightly different attitude and said, yes I was in AF previously and I should go to the cardiology appointment. They told me to go home, don't panic and don't eat processed food. I thought that was quite a random suggestion (I'm not overweight and I have a very healthy diet).

I felt the doctor had decided before they came into the room to see me, that I was a hysterical female having a panic attack. I have been very upset by this encounter. I understand the pressures other health care staff are under. I would not have presented to ED unless I was genuinely worried. I feel that using the word hysteria is not appropriate and firing questions at someone and not listening to the answers is not the way a medical examination should be conducted.

Please understand I am not complaining about my first visit, it was mostly very good, but I think it's important to remember patient confidentiality. 

I am complaining about the way I was treated by the Dr on my second visit, and have been very upset by it.