Dr. Marcum Collins, MD

Very intelligent, thorough, patient and comprehensive. Pleasant. Obviously on top of medical knowledge . Caring!

I recently moved to TN from MI. My old rheumatologist had been with me for 10 years, has published studies, etc. and is known across the country. That said, within MINUTES of meeting Dr. Collins, he basically told me everything my old rheumy said was a lie... my labs had all been false positives... my CT/MRIs were all wrong, etc. He spent more time undiagnosing me based on just a simple Q&A than listening to anything I was saying or doing any test himself. The only thing he did order was basic bloodwork - CBC/CMP (which showed the continued inflammation in my body, etc.) and an x-ray of my SI joints (which has always been normal - hence the previous CTs and MRIs in which it showed). His bedside manner is AWFUL. I'm not sure if he assumed I was there for pain meds or what (side note: I wasn't, my primary care doctor takes care of all prescriptions) but he was so dismissive and cold and for what? Doctors can have differing opinions, but his condescending attitude is so unnecessary.

Referred by my internist. Very pleased with this referral. Have seen for a year & a half. Detailed questionnaire prior to my first visit. Dr. Collins is quiet, but very professional & caring. Reviewed all of the material sent to him. Reviewed the x-rays on my second visit. Filled in any gaps in testing with additional x-rays and labs. Detailed explanations on what was going on with my fingers (Erosive Osteoarthritis). Reviewed the labs and x-rays with me. Answered all of my questions and listened carefully to my concerns. Gave me reassurance when I needed it. Unfortunately, I am in the process of moving out of state. Even still he made sure I had care until I could establish with a new rheumatologist. I was able to see him in August when I was in Knoxville for a visit for my 6m follow-up. Even set up a tele-health appoint in the event I was not able to establish with a new rheumatologist before my next visit. (Because of my medication, I have to see him every 6m.)

I had to take an entire day off work with no pay, to have my mother drive me, who also took the entire day off, drive an hour to UT only to be treated like I did not matter. His first greeting was “Your doctor only sent your abnormal blood work, no reason for the referral. I just want you to know we don’t treat pain here”. So that was my first impression of him. Nice, right? He then cut me off as I was trying to tell him about all of my symptoms. He then jumped to the decision it wasn’t Rheumatological and my blood work were both false positives. He reran my bloodwork, it came back with one still abnormal and the level went up. His diagnosis was it was another false positive. He was dismissive and never had a genuine desire to help me figure out what was going on. Don’t waste your time or money on him. You can tell when a doctor goes into the field of medicine to help people or they go into the field because of the money. He definitely isn’t in this to help his patients.

My initial appointment with Dr. Collins was roughly an hour. We spent 45 minutes with a Q&A on my symptoms. Dr. Collins undiagnosed two of my four autoimmune diseases in under an hour. No bloodwork, imaging, or tests of any kind were conducted at this appointment but he was able to UNDIAGNOSE me, with the utmost confidence. I found this particular part of the appointment perplexing and inaccurate. The most surprising part of my appointment was Dr. Collins's suggestion that I might seek help from my primary doctor to get on anti-depressants for my "pain"? I was insulted at this backhanded comment, suggesting my ailments are all in my head. I found a mental illness implication extremely inaccurate, insulting, and dismissive of me as a patient seeking legitimate answers. How am I to work comfortably with a health provider who refuses to believe I am mentally sound? Bottom line, I cannot recommend him as I found him pompous, arrogant, & condescending.

I was very pleased with my first visit today with Dr. Collins. He took a generous amount of time asking me questions and doing a physical exam. It turned out that my original reason for referral was nothing to be worried about, but even though he determined that early in our consult ( due to negative labs), he kept evaluating me. He “dug” deep and found some symptoms that he is pursing further, totally unrelated to my referral. He ordered labs and X-rays, and I’m looking forward to meeting with him again soon. I’m thankful to find a Doctor that cares about his patients.

I would not recommend him. He was the most inconsiderate healthcare professional I’ve encountered.

Very rude and unprofessional. I will not go back. My primary care provider was appalled by his recommendations.