Dr. Betsy Ann Pathickal, MD

I recently had a consultation, and colonoscopy, by Dr. Pathickal. She is very personable, and the colonoscopy was the easiest one I've had yet. Staff at her Plainview office were all very nice. Very pleased with the experience..

I love Dr. Betsy. I couldn't ask for more in a Gastroenterologist. She is extremely thorough and takes her time to answer all your questions, no matter how rudimentary. You never feel rushed out of her office. I would recommend her to any and everyone who asks. HOWEVER, the staff and basic office operations! I called for an appointment because I've been experiencing intestinal pain for three days. I was on hold for 10 minutes to finally get someone, who after hears my explanation for calling, transfers me, THEN after telling the second person why I'm calling transfers me again...TO A VOICEMAIL! Zero compassion from the office staff. They must belong to a union that protects their jobs whether they deserve it or not. If I didn't love Dr. Betsy so much, I would find another office, so that's say a lot about her!

DOCTOR IS OK, BUT HER TREATMENT CAUSED MORE TRUBLE THEN WITHOUT TREATMENT!! I AM GOING TO GET A 3RD, OPION CAUSE DR PATHICKSL THINKS I HAVE SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS.. I HAD SEEN A OLDER MORE EXPERIENCED DOCTOR DID THE SAME PROCEDURE AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING SERIOUS PROBLEMS. BUT DR. PATHICKAL DID FIND THIS SERIOUS THING TWICE..THATS WHY I AM GETTING A THIRD OPPION! BUT ONE OF HER STAFF SHOULDN'T BE WORKING THERE!! NASTY WITCH.. THEY MAKE SYMPLE OFFICE PROCEDURES SUBSTANTIALLY MORE DIFFICULT THEN NEED BE.. EXAMPLE IT TOOK OVER 2 WEEKS TO HAVE SOMETHING MAILED TO ME! AFTER MAKING SEVERAL CALLS TO FIND OUT WHERE THE DOCUMENTS WERE.. I FOULND OUT THEY ONLY HAVE MAIL PICK UP TWICE A WEEK.. AND YET THERE IS A MAIL BOX JUST OUTSIDE THE OFFICE! I FINALLY WENT TO PICK UP THE DOCUMENTS . THEY THEN ARRIVED IN THE MAIL AT MY HOME, THE NEXT DAY!.

First visit went great. Procedure went great and she has excellent bed side manner.

Dr. Pathickal is an excellent doctor with a good bedside manner. She listens to me and answers all of my questions during every visit. She diagnosed my gastroparesis quickly after doing the appropriate tests. Like Dr. Pathickal, her staff (P.A's, nurses and secretary) is friendly and thorough.

Excellent doctor. Really cares about the patient.

Dr. Pathickal recently diagnosed my mother with colon cancer when she found a large mass during a colonoscopy. While I am thankful that she rendered the diagnosis, Dr. Pathickal's delivery of the news was terrible. When she advised us of the results, she looked horrified and had tears in her eyes. She gave my mother and I very little hope, raised the specter of a possible metastasis and stage 4 diagnosis, without any factual basis for doing so, stating that if the cancer had spread to the liver it would be considered stage 4. When my mother asked if the cancer was terminal, Dr. Pathickal's response was that she did not know but her body language and tone of voice indicated that this was likely a death sentence. In fact, my mother's cancer was stage 2 and very treatable -- by surgery alone. The thing that really troubled me, is that despite her supposed concern, Dr. Pathickal never called to follow up and find out how my mother was doing post-surgery! I would not recommend… doing a colonoscopy with Dr. Pathickal; her bedside manner leaves much to be desired and she does not seem to have a complete, and modern grasp of colon cancer staging. I cannot impress enough that Dr. Pathickal has no clue how to delicately deliver difficult news. There is a way of imparting a serious diagnosis (I've seen it done excellently by my mother's surgeon) while still providing hope.

The worse medical office staff I've experienced in my adult life. If you are in pain, good luck trying to get an immediate approintment, or the least bit of empathy from the staff. Plan on about 3 months by the time you get a consult, testing and follow. Want to call for lab results? How about 24 minutes on hold after explaining in detail reason for call, to be asked again who you are and why your are calling, without apology after complaining about the hold time, just to be told the doctor is not in, and won't be in for another 2 days. This over a week after lab work was performed. Must be nice to have such job security that you don't have to even be concerned about treating the patients coming to your office with a shred of dignity.