Walter Zogg

I was horrified by my appointment with Dr. Zogg. Late 2018 he worked at the Centre Médical Bachet-de-Pesay, Grand-Lancy, a Medical Expertise centre, set up to provide medical reports for the insurance industry. My appointment was approximately 1hr. 45 minutes, out of which I was with Dr. Zogg for under 15 minutes. The rest of the assessment was taken up by filling in a questionnaire, with his assistant, and completing an intelligence test. It was immediately apparent to me that Dr. Zogg had drawn his conclusions about my health and suitability for returning to work before seeing me. I found him to be evasive, and bullying in his approach (which is darkly ironic in the context of assessing someone for depression in the wake of burnout). His clinical verdict was based on my answers to the questionnaire, with his assistant, in French (despite me being far from fluent in French), and my responses to his few questions (in English), some of which he wouldn't let me finish responding to. He had no information from the psychiatrist who was treating me for my condition, nor had he seen the results of my written test before making his decision. Dr. Zogg's final written report was long and well constructed. It was designed to give the impression of being thorough and professional. With input from my psychiatrist, I wrote a complaint about Dr. Zogg's multiple procedural and medical failings. Dr. Zogg subsequently 'recollected' that our meeting went on for over twice the actual duration, was conducted in French and that he offered to stay longer, but that I had declined. He did not responding to the the other, professional objections. I had been so shaken up by the horrible experience that, had I not recorded the whole process, I might have doubted myself and believed Dr. Zogg's version of events. Insurance companies understandably want the outcomes of such assessments to align with their financial objectives: fit for work, backed up with a convincing report. However I had not imagined that a doctor would behave so unprofessionally as to set their bar so low. I was horrified by the transparent disinterest in genuinely assessing my condition, and then disgusted by Dr. Zogg's responses. My experience convinced me that Dr. Zogg is completely inappropriate for the role of Psychiatrist, perhaps explaining why he now acts as an administrative tick box. I would encourage anyone having to have a medical expertise assessment to record the process with their phone, or other device and to prepare themselves for a bureaucratic process aimed at pleasing the insurance company. Request to have any other doctor than Dr. Zogg and try to avoid this practice altogether. I am sure that there are many professional doctors who provide medical expertise assessments alongside private practice consultations and deliver a reliable and honest service.

Before I have seen Dr Zogg, I had seen several other psychiatrists. I profitted from all of them. They were all very different in person and regarding methodology. What I find outstanding in Dr Zogg is his pure heart personality, his suprisingly honest and helpful way of giving feedback in conversation and his service orientation towards what the client needs. The average psychiatrist would lean back, say as little as possible, be neutral, never comment on the patient, use one or another methodology but only that one strictly, then put a diagnosis if you agree or not, then make recommendations, some of them work. There is some benefit.Dr Zoggs approach is somehow more soft but more efficient at the same time. He doesnt put any big methodology. I have experienced something like this: He doesnt push me, this makes me go ahead and open up. I feel him to be warmhearted so I feel safe. He gives very small nuanced but honest feedbacks just as part of the conversation so I see myself in a mirror of his words. --> The effect of this combination is incredible. This made me re-discover myself and in the moment I understood whats going in with me, the rest wasnt difficult any more, I could bring about change myself with profound impact on my health, mentally and physically. Within a single session I understood what happened to me in the last 20 years. To say all this in one sentence: a beginner does a huge effort to achieve something; an expert does almost nothing you almost dont notice it but its just the right thing and the effect is big. Then in the second session I said that I like a lot confrontation excercises (confront me with my issues so we learn more about them) and he immediately reacted and delivered me ine in the 3rd session right there. First I thought there was no effect. Having left the house again: boom! this clearified it. I understood again what was going on. This time no change but confirmation that I am not wrong and I will go continue going my way even if its more difficult than being like all other people. Profitted again. Thank you!