Dr. Ralph Robert Beton, MD

I like the location of his clinic and how soon I was able to get an Upper GI Endoscopy done. He seems to be careful in treatment. I do have some concerns though. First, it is very difficult to get a timely appointment without an emergency. A month's waiting time seems to be the norm. Secondly, my endoscopy did not go according to plan. The nurse I had was very sweet and I liked her a lot, but I did wake up during the endoscopy and could have used more local anesthetic for my throat. Next, when I had questions about my medication and whether some side effects should make me stop taking it, the older receptionist at his office answered for me rather than forwarding the questions to Dr. Beton. I'm not aware of this woman having any qualifications besides medical billing and answering phones, so why is she giving me medical advice? The same woman after my last appointment literally shooed me out of the office, complete with hand motions, after having me wait in the waiting… room for Dr. Beton to transcribe his notes. When I had arrived and wrote down my name at check-in, she literally closed the window to the receptionist area in front of my face. I've never been treated like that at a doctor's office before. It was bizarre. Next, at two of my morning appointments I have arrived at the office on time only to be told that Dr. Beton is not in. He has had an "emergency" (after this announcement I could hear the receptionists laughing together). Maybe he did have an emergency, but for this to happen twice on the morning of my appointment is too coincidental. I have to wonder how often this happens and why, especially if it was hilarious to the receptionists. Moving on to the actual appointments: Sometimes the wait has not been bad, but the most recent visit left me with a 45 minute wait past my appointment time to see the doctor. This is probably because he was not on time and there were other patients ahead of me waiting. When Dr. Beton did come in to the exam room, he rapid fired a "HiJimmynicetoseeyou" and darted to the corner desk with no handshake. He lurked in the corner for the rest of the appointment facing away from me. When I brought up my concerns, he kept referring to one symptom as something entirely different. Perhaps the nurse wrote it down incorrectly but he should have changed it in his notes and listened. He seemed to be unaware that the symptom was a documented side effect of my GI medication. We made a plan of action for me but I did not feel the question I asked about this was answered. Anyway, I know how doctors are trained to behave with patients and these social skills are severely lacking. He should face me instead of hiding in the corner (which he has done at all appointments I have had with him), take the time to greet me properly without rushing, and listen attentively. I think this office would be greatly improved with better staff as well.