Dr. David Chen, MD

I was referred to Dr. Chen to help with chronic pain. My body has been slowly breaking down over the years and doctors have not been able to help. I admit I have a lot of fear around the pain and my body breaking down. He started to push psychiatry and drugs on me and I told him I wasn’t interested and wanted to know what doctor took care of the whole body and not just one area since specialty doctors haven’t helped. I don’t know if he misunderstood, but he started shouting at me that he sees 50 patients a day and doesn’t have time to diagnose me. I wasn’t looking for him to diagnose me, but it turned into the most insulting and degrading experiences with the doctor. We continued our shouting match until I left in tears. He lied and put things in the notes to cover himself and refused any phone call or communication I had after that. I don’t know how he is in practice never mind such a big position at this hospital. Do not waste your time with the doctor.

Dr. Chen is one of the most patronizing physicians I've ever been to. I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviews. He will write you off, dismiss your opinions about your own pain and your knowledge of your own body. He rushes you out of the room and gets annoyed if you ask questions and he will simply throw one of 3 types of pills at you, even if you have already tried and failed those medications. He is not a capable doctor and has no interest in human-centered care or management of more complicated or chronic headache conditions. He was so rude I actually cried when I left the appointment. He might be an okay doctor for you if you get a migraine once or twice a month but that's it. It's ridiculous I waited over 6 months for this atrocious a level of care. I could not recommend him less.

Dr. Chen changed my life of misery. I suffered from daily chronic migraines for so many years. I was terribly managed and over medicated by other physicians. Dr. Chen got me on a regimen that works wonderfully and most importantly has given me my life back.

Dr. Chen was by far the worst doctor I have seen, and I have seen at least ten in the past twenty years of my life due to moving. Horrible bedside manners. He basically knows what he will treat and the pills he will throw out for you to try (it’s almost Halloween, right?) I was belittling more than once during my visit. For not remembering medications I may or may not have tried over a decade ago. I’m lucky if I remember my current (also, make sure you have that list when you have an appointment even if you write it all out in detail the night before during your online registration forms! Her won’t take time to look at that). He will call absolutely every headache a migraine, which I have had other wonderful neurologists tell me this isn’t the case for me but yet I’m still struggling to find exactly what is going on. Since my sister had migraines though, Chen thinks I must as well. So. I’m just coming out of another really bad debilitating 5 day headache (literally can only sleep, force myself to keep drinking water but absolutely debilitated). No matter how hard my life has gotten I will not let this man mess with my care.

Not helpful. Very toxic. Didn't listen to me. Quickly wrote me off. Very rude. Talks down to me. Wasn't comfortable at all.

Dr. Chen didn't alert me to at least one fairly important possible side effect of shots for migraines which he claims to have in his notes. He said, "oh you're sensitive" as I gasped, whimpered, shook. He didn't let me explain, when I started trying to tell him which areas gave me the most pain from shots. Instead, he informed me before I could finish: "your temples are way back up there," as I tried to state that they were among the worst affected, but to also indicate my neck was worse too. He literally acted as if I can't tell my neck and forehead apart. He did not show even BASIC PTSD awareness ( it's in my file). When I held up my hand, he finally paused as I asked him him to tell me before each shot and where it was going. He only partially granted this request. That added highly to the stress. Even severe pain is often part of many medical treatments. I have a high threshold. Needlessly adding to pain is not just never acceptable, it's harmful and I can't trust this doctor.

I wasn’t going to leave a review because for the first couple years Dr. Chen was average, I’d never recommend him but his NP was nice enough and I only saw him quarterly for injection therapy. He has always rushed me out of my appointments but that seemed typical of the overcrowded MGH health care system and I took pity. But lately he’s been even more distracted. I think he might even be missing some of my injection sites because he rushes (I’ve been counting but I’m sure he’d just deny it). I had to chase him down the hall to ask a question he was so quick to rush me out of my appt that lasted all of 5 minutes. I can’t wait to figure out my new living situation so I can find a new doctor. Please go somewhere else. You will just be a number here. To add to the fury, his coordinator Vonda is more fit for an auto mechanic shop but that’s not his fault. That woman lives to make life more difficult.

I was referred to Dr. Chen after suffering from migraines that were intensifying. Dr. Chen took time to get to know me and my medical history before recommending which approach we should take. I appreciate that, every time I meet with him, he takes time to teach me about the science of headaches and what we know (and don't know) about what triggers headaches and migraines. He is professional in our meetings and responsive to my questions in between our visits. Thanks to Dr. Chen, my migraines and headaches are in much better control.

He was the worse doctor I have ever seen. He does not care about his patients. Not sure how he is allowed to pratice medicine at MGH.

I should have done my homework and looked at these reviews before I came to him for a second opinion regarding my intractable migraines. Condescending, uncaring and cares more about my coffee consumption than other serious symptoms that are going on. I had to present to the ER for an emergency, I was instructed by my PCP to call him and was chastised by whoever answered the phone that I SHOULD NOT HAVE CALLED and I should have sent him a Patient Gateway message. (Doesn't respond to PG messages until 48 hours later.) The ER Dr had concerns about cervical issues and wanted Chen to order an MRI, he has refused and has insisted on a virtual visit and said his assistant would call for an appt. After 4 days, still no call. I am in pain, he is confused about my symptoms and only wants a virtual visit so he can bill me. For the first time in my life, I have filed a complaint about a provider. I am now going back to my old Neurologist, at least he cared. Shame on me for cheating!

My husband was referred to Dr Chen after suffering severe headaches which started after he had brain surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma. When my husband showed up for the appointment the doctor was more concerned with how he got the appointment than my husband’s issue in fact when my husband told him he was having severe headaches the doctor laughed and said all his patients have headaches he sent him home and his assistant set up a video visit. My husband and I both took the time off from work the doctor never called and when we inquired the doctor’s assistance said he took the day off. My husband has been diagnosed with a Cerebral Spinal fluid leak in his brain and has to under go surgery. This Doctor should not be allowed to practice medicine. MGH should not be referring to him or employing him. Geri Farrelly

I read the reviews and took a chance and drove several hours to see Dr. Chen and can wholeheartedly affirm the negative reviews. He was dismissive of previous diagnoses, argumentative ( which is something I’ve never encountered) and condescending. It seemed that his conclusions where predetermined- zero bedside manner- almost laughable that clinicians can be this bad in this time and age.

Dr. Chen was one of the worst medical professionals with whom I have ever come in contact. Aside from being rude and dismissive during our appointments, neither he nor his staff followed through with requests in a timely manner. Over a period of 9 months, he treated my condition with a cocktail of drugs, none of which helped my symptoms or improved my health. After several trips to the ER and taking a medical leave of absence from work, I finally saw a different specialist who informed me that I had been misdiagnosed by Dr. Chen. For 9 months. It took my new specialist ONE visit to correctly diagnose me.

I saw some of these negative reviews and felt compelled to relate my own experience with Dr. Chen, which was great. He was smart, knowledgeable, and personable. His staff was also great. I recommend him fully.

Reading the reviews above reconfirm everything I concluded last visit with Dr. Chen. He is more likely to cause a headache than relieve one. I look at Greg’s experience above and wonder why that wasn’t mine. Does Dr. Chen have issues with certain behaviors or gender or do I? All I can say is that if you can get beyond rude boorish behavior and don’t mind disrespect maybe he deserves more stars than I would give him.

Dr. Chen does not reply to my calls or emails even when it is an urgent matter. He frequently treats me like I am causing him more paperwork, and he has zero empathy or bedside manner. His lack of follow through during urgent medical situations makes me feel he is a law suit waiting to happen.

I felt rushed through my entire appointment. I dont feel the doctor heard my story and did not understand how badly I am suffering. He walked so fast I couldn't keep up with him in the hallway. He offered no explanation of my condition and I don't know if he even viewed my scans. I feel my 4 hour trip to Boston was a waste.

Rude, condescending, awful follow up, awful staff, stay away. Enough said.

This MD was one of the worst doctors I have come in contact with. I have had chronic migraines for years, and have been trying to find the right approach.He told me all of the things I have tried in the past were wrong and the things that make me feel better are making things worse. He talked to me like an uneducated child and was extremely condescending. After becoming visibly upset he put tissues in front of me and kept talking.He had no social skills or bedside manner. do not recommend

I found Dr. Chen to be very straightforward to work with in getting my migraines under control. He persuaded me to exercise the self-discipline needed to investigate potential dietary triggers and switched me off an unhelpful medication. He started me on a very effective medication while warning me of the possible side-effects to watch for. I experienced the side-effects. He then worked with me to control the migraines by eliminating triggers from my diet, which has worked beautifully since.