Dr. James Mark Bertola, MD

Dr. Bertola was a very good communicator. Didn't talk down to me and spoke to me in a very straight forward manner. Communicated well throughout my procedure and I felt like he and his staff did a great job making me as comfortable as possible. I was very apprehensive due to the low score here but I was very pleasantly surprised and would have no problem recommending Dr. Bertola to my friends and family.

On my first visit without having full knowledge of my medical history he told me he was going to reduce both of my oral pain medications and told me that he was going to discontinue one of the medications altogether he was rude and condescending and wouldn't listen to me when I tried to explain my condition I spent years in Northern California Kaiser modifying my prescriptions until we reached an acceptable quality of life he should not be allowed to work with chronic pain patients

Walked into the room having no knowledge of what my condition entailed. He hadn't even tried to familiarize himself with what type of pain my diagnosis might cause. He asked me questions but didn't listen to my responses, just was waiting for his turn to proclaim his opinion. He arrogantly decided within 10 min of meeting me that all other Doctors must be wrong and I don't need pain management meds for my documented chronic pain.

Dr Bertola has no business working with chronic pain patients. He has no bedside manner, is incredibly rude, disrespectful, and dismissive.

I was nervous to see Dr Bertola after these reviews but my experience was much different than the ones described. I was 20 mins late for my appointment but that was totally my error. They had to cut my visit with him short because of my being late but it all turned out well. He was kind and courteous, showed me on the MRI where the problem area is and his thoughts on a course for treatment. My spinal injection appointment was made with the nurses aid right after the appointment and the referral to the surgeon was done within an hour. It's unfortunate that the other people had such a bad experience. I've had a couple bad experiences with Kaiser and they are upsetting.

I would not recommend this doctor. After talking with his office three times and scheduling an appt., they sent a curt letter to my PCP (CC to me) saying that I hadn't returned their calls? Then they scheduled me for an appointment 15 min. before the "check in office" was even open. His nurse was polite and very nice which is why the office staff got a moderate rating but the doctor was extremely rude and condescending and did not review my medical history. He sent me to the waiting room so a procedure could be scheduled and after 15 min. the nurse informed me that the scheduler wasn't in and would have to call me. Still haven't heard from them but if they ever do call I will NOT be making another appointment there!