Dr. Ralf Gunter Thiele, MD

Long wait times, no answers provided and no advice on what to do next. Rushed through appointment and was very detached and impersonal. Did not care how I was feeling or how to help me

Both reviews listed above are 100% accurate. I can especially relate to P Clark when they stated that he doesn't treat any conditions and is more concerned about disproving previous dr's diagnosis. Recently, I moved from Colorado and unfortunately was assigned to Dr. Thiele. He saw me ONE time and decided to start taking me off my medication for RA. At this ONE visit, my feet and ankles were so swollen, I couldn't lace up my shoes. He claimed that he had no idea why they were like that and to talk with my PCP. I've had swelling in my ankles for years, in fact, I had pericardial effusion that started in my feet and worked its way up to my heart. This was my fear as I was having the same symptoms again. His practice has a policy in that you can not see anyone else within their practice once you see one of them. But his clinic is associated with the majority of Rochester so it's very difficult to find another Dr! After waiting 4-5 months to see him on my first visit, I have to wait… another 7 months to see another dr because that is a 'new' visit. One year of no treatment?!? I don't know how this man still has a license. With my previous Dr of 15+ years, I was treated for RA, hospitalized repeatedly and wasn't really stable in my health when I moved to NY. Today, I continue to suffer and have excruciating pain almost daily, to no avail thanks to a horrible, unprofessional and unethical 'dr.'

I first "met" Dr. Thiele via phone appointment due to the national virus event. I found him to be a very good listener, was knowledgeable, empathetic, engaged, non-judgemental and concise in direction. I felt that he listened to my entire "story" and gave a workable plan-a plan that we are working with together.

For almost half a year I struggled with the same reoccurring pain, and had bloodwork proving that something was wrong. After a 3 month wait, when I was finally able to see Dr. Thiele, he told me that because I wasn’t in pain in the current moment he just could not help me and gave me no other advice. This left me extremely hopeless and still in just as much pain. I didn’t get angry about this until after seeing a different doctor out of town. When I described the same symptoms that I had before, this new doctor knew right away. Although a more rare form of rheumatism, one that is easily recognizable I now know. So I’m not sure if Dr. Thiele is uneducated or unwilling to take the effort to help his patients.

When I saw this Dr. ,he spent 3 minutes with me to tell me that I basically wasn't worth his time. When my Dr. called the practice to schedule me with someone who actually was interested in doing their job, I was put right back with him. I asked how hearing him say things twice was a second opinion. He refused to allow other drs. in the practice to take my case. Fast forward 4 years..... my Dr. again referred me to this practice. Same lack of medical care , only this time they didn't even bother to actually examine me. They said they read my chart & to go to another sp3cialist. If they had indeed actually read my chart, they would have clearly seen that I had already been seen by that specialist. I would not recommend this dr. to my worst enemy. I am amazed that someplace like U of R would have him on staff.