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Dr. James Choo, MD

Dr. James Choo, MD

Pain Medicine*
20+ years of experience

Dr. James Choo, MD is a pain medicine physician in Knoxville, TN and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Tn Health Sci Center in 2004. He is affiliated with medical facilities Parkwest Medical Center and Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

3.2 Star Rating
Based on 40 reviews 3.2 Star Rating (40 reviews)

Practice

1128 E Weisgarber Rd Ste 100 Knoxville, TN 37909
Telehealth available

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At a Glance

  • Areas of Expertise
    Dr. Choo specializes in the areas of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine. See board certifications
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ See hospitals
  • Hospital Satisfaction
    Patients said they were highly satisfied at this doctor's hospital. See hospitals
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Dr. Choo's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Choo

3.2
40 ratings, 12 with a written review
5 star
53%
53%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
3%
3%
2 star
3%
3%
1 star
43%
43%

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Worst Dr. Ever!
The worst experience of my life! I was talking to the injections in my back even though I was nervous, I told him I did not want the injections, but he insisted. So I went for the procedure and proceeded to have five seizures on the table and woke up in the hospital. After that he told me there was nothing he can do for me even though with the injections made my back pain far worse! You wouldn't even consider giving me medication to help me, and I've been living with chronic back and sciatic pain for 5 years now. I would not send my worst enemy to Dr. Choo!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
11 others found this helpful
Helpful
Sonya Lee – Apr 06, 2022
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Choo is the worst health care provider in the profession! Why? Because he doesn’t provide care. He’s only concerned about money. I have one of the most painful diseases known to man and it has no cure. My pain will never get better and my only hope to any fragment of quality of life is with opioid pain medication. He plays God with peoples lives and to alleviate human suffering is not in his vocabulary. If you truly live life in chronic pain, never listen to a doctor who tells you that you’re at the maximum dosage. They’re lying to you! Check with the FDA, there is no such thing as limits on dosage foAll this jerk wants is to talk you into his occupational therapy area. I don’t need therapy, I need opioid pain medication and he refuses. I hope you read this Choo. You don’t even deserve to be called a doctor, that title is only deserved and reserved for a human that cares about another humans quality of life. And you don’t even come close!! Prospective patients you have been warned!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
13 others found this helpful
Helpful
Lisa A. – Jun 14, 2021
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Absolutely horrible. Terrible bedside manner and disgusting,” I know everything,” attitude. “Dr” Choo is very jaded. He assumes everyone is in it for drugs. Disgusting human being and an incompetent,”doctor.”
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
9 others found this helpful
Helpful
ActuallyItsMe – Aug 07, 2020
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I have been a chronic pain patient for over 10 years. I was in the Tennova Pain Center for many years on high levels of opiates and procedures that didn’t help. I came to Pain Consultants when the state closed Tennova and I have NOTHING but praise for these doctors and this pain center. Dr Browder has retired now, so I am seeing Dr Choo for consults and procedures. I have been struggling with neck pain for 15 years, and acute neck pain for 2 years. After surgery was unsuccessful in relieving my pain, I received a procedure that has absolutely almost obliterated my pain. For a chronic pain patient, this relief brings tears. Dr Choo is extremely knowledgeable about the opiate crisis, adverse childhood experiences, and procedures that ease pain without the use of heavy opiates. Their center has everything a chronic pain patient needs, from psychological assessment, to physical therapy and surgery center. Best gift I’ve ever received from a doctor, at none.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Marilyn Maines – Jul 28, 2020
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I do not like PCET. Overall it feels like it is an assembly line operation. Perhaps I still carry a jaded view of the practice from when they were advertising on TV some years back. At that time I was dismissed from their practice for "rudeness" because I wanted more than just to go there monthly for a med RX - I wanted a real strategy for dealing with my spinal pain issues. I was not rude, but I did fill out a patient complaint form because I was upset back then about how it had become a "pill mill." Then recently I was referred back there for procedures and now instead of a pill mill it is like an assembly line - they don't give you any time to rest and recover after procedures, they just can't get you up and dressed and out of their building fast enough!
What went well
  • Office environment
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Appointment was rushed
11 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jul 11, 2020
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Horrible! He pushes the "classes" and requires one to come to his office every other week. If you don't, then you are out regarding your meds. Talk about 1984 (the book)! These people at his clinic are all about money. Why must one have a middleman between himself and his primary care physician in Tennessee? As I am a double amputee and have a great deal of phantom pain as well as pressure pain from my prosthetics, I am required by Choo to have to spend money every 2 weeks to go there.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
8 others found this helpful
Helpful
Zoe – May 15, 2020
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?? per cent pain free from lower back pain after years of a daily regimen of opioids I am free from them thanks to DR.CHOO and his friendly staff my (RFA) treatment works great.I recommend DR.CHOO to anyone looking for real relief from chronic back pain.i had forgotten what life was all about between the chronic pain and the opioids plus the destruction opioids was raging on my body and mind.DR.CHOO and staff are to be highly praised for their work,THANK YOU DR.CHOO ??
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
R.bingham in TN – Feb 15, 2019
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I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Choo and his staff. I appreciate that Dr. Choo offers for other treatments other than just medications. I have just finished my second injection with him and my pain relief is unbelievable. When you fight severe pain on a daily basis, it dominates you and your life. I had forgotten how amazing life can be to be almost completely pain free. I encourage others to see Dr. Choo to see if he can help reduce or eliminate your pain.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Feb 05, 2019
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Chronic pain sufferers should steer clear of this quackish little man. He can't fix anything. Will not return calls after failed operations. Terrible bedside manners. Treats his staff like slaves and dummies. Can't figure out how he still bills himself as a pain management doctor. Avoid. Avoid.Avoid.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
11 others found this helpful
Helpful
CKB in TN – Jan 09, 2019
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They want to have you come weekly. People were in there crying in pain, who should have been home not pushing their abilities and coming weely. They want to do epidurals in your spine & do them, which are not FDA approved because they often cause Arachnoiditis-one of the most painful conditions known, death & paralysis. They sat me in a room telling me they want to do surgery on me and pushing a spinal stimulator & when I tried saying no, I was told to be quiet!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Kodak – Feb 04, 2018
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Excellent! Has helped give me my life back! I recommend him highly!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Ann in Oak Ridge, TN – Apr 07, 2017
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I couldn't get the sliding scale to work, I'm. 52-year-old and I see Dr Choo. and his staff every month and a least every 3 to 6 months to have the nerves burnt in my neck and hopefully lower back soon. I love Dr. Choo and his staff I dont know what I would be without them they have helped me so much. They listen they take the time and really understand theyre NOT one of these fly by night pain clinics so if that's what you are looking for then Dr. Choo is not your doctor he cares
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
10 others found this helpful
Helpful
Angela P in Oak Ridge, TN – May 03, 2016
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About Me

biography

James J. Choo, MD is a native of Knoxville, TN.  He graduated from Emory University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, and received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 2004 from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center...read more
  • Pain Medicine

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Ochsner Clin Fdn Hospital

    Internship Hospital
  • University Of Tn Health Sci Center

    Medical School, 2004
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Anesthesiology®
Anesthesiology
Pain Medicine
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.
  • Morphine and high-fat diet differentially alter the gut microbiota composition and metabolic function in lean versus obese mice, 2022-08-05

Locations

Practice

Pain Consultants of East Tennessee PLLC1128 E Weisgarber Rd Ste 100 Knoxville, TN 37909
1
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Tue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Wed: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
  • Directions

Practice

Office220 Fort Sanders West Blvd Ste 308 Knoxville, TN 37922
2

Practice

Office1540 Member Ln Ste 100 Knoxville, TN 37909
3
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Tue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Wed: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Sat: closed
    • Sun: closed
  • Directions

Practice

Office575 Oak Ridge Tpke Ste 110 Oak Ridge, TN 37830
4
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Tue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Wed: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    • Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
  • Directions

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Parkwest Medical Center

    9352 Park West Blvd
    Knoxville, TN 37923
    Recipient of 3
    hospital awards

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    85%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    1% higher than the national average

    79%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    3% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

    990 Oak Ridge Tpke
    Oak Ridge, TN 37830
    Recipient of 2
    hospital awards

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2022)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    85%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    1% higher than the national average

    82%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    6% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality