Roberts Joseph W MD

WORST Physician I’ve ever dealt with. If possible would give zero stars.
Unfortunately, my GI doc had Dr. Roberts covering for him. I called the service with a medication concern and revived a call back from Dr Roberts who was incredibly rude from the start of the call. I stated my concern, the medicine I received from my physician was contraindicated to what I am currently taking and was worried about taking the medication due to possible serious side effects. First, Dr. Roberts said, «You are calling me on a holiday weekend to ask this?» Followed by «I assume your physician knows what medication you are on». I kindly asked him again if the interaction was OK and he said «obviously you are not listening to me I already told you it’s fine». I asked him again to explain why it is fine since the FDA and drug company clearly stated on the label that there was a severe interaction and to «immediately contact your doctor if you take xyz». He finally said, «you have asked me three times and my answer has not changed and I can’t help you if you won’t listen». Exacerbated, I went to hang up the phone and told my husband he was incredibly rude, which he over heard, Dr. Roberts called me right back and started screaming at me stating he answered my question (note: he did not give me any reason WHY it was safe when it clearly stated it was not) and took time out of his weekend to call me back. It was the most bizarre interaction. He would not let me get a word in and continued to become increasingly more belligerent raising his voice at me. I couldn’t believe how unprofessional it was for a physician to berate a patient with an extremely valid medical concern no matter how frivolous he deemed it to be.
I finally told him have a wonderful weekend and hung up the phone.
I have never come across such an inept and arrogant physician in my life. This is why you should only visit properly educated doctors who take the the time to listen to their patients.

I have a feeling that problems keep arising with Dr. Roberts, because he prescribes things that cause problems.
My first visit he prescribed blood, urine, stool, abdomen and transvaginal pelvic sonogram, and colonoscopy.
NO THANKS to the transvaginal, which my OB-​GYN told me was COMPLETELY unnecessary for my kind of abdominal pain.
Urine fine. Blood BETTER than good. Stool FINE.
The drug he prescribed me was for a condition I do not have, which gave me diarrhea so bad I thought I was dying. I come to find out, «Oh, no one from my office called you and told you to stop taking it? There was nothing in your stool.»
So I had the colonoscopy, although I felt completely wrong about doing it, because I was worried that something may get worse and that I needed the test. Maybe I do, but from a doctor who can spare the time to talk to me.
I found his bedside manner before and after my procedure rushed. After my procedure, I was HIGH, and he gave me my prognosis without my husband present with me all fuzzy headed. Everyone else I know had their spouse with them when he gave them their prognosis. He gave me worst case scenario pending a biopsy (and wants to treat me for this condition that is not even yet confirmed). Just looked up the side effects of this treatment. Care to know what they are? The same as the symptoms of the illness he THINKS I have but I only exhibit one symptom of. So, should I take this and end up with ALL of the symptoms so I forever have to go there for his «magical treatment?» NO THANKS.
He did not give the pictures as promised. He told me that he was just going to assume I had this before the biopsy, you know because he is THAT good. I started crying and he LEFT. He did not even SHOW me the photos from my procedure before leaving the room. Total time spent with doctor before and after INVASIVE procedure? About 7 minutes.
Going for a second opinion. NOW.

I realize that most my people age don’t have a gastroenterologist to call their own but I do and I figured I might as well review the guy on the off chance that it may help someone in their time of gastroenterology need.
Dr. Joseph Roberts is one of the best doctors I have seen in my entire life. At first I was extremely anxious because what girl wants to talk to a male doctor about things like poop! He’s done things to me that at first, made me feel extremely violated, but hey, part of a doctor’s job is to violate you, I guess. Haha. I know he’s a good doctor though because he was recommended by my aunt and then my dad went to see him as well.
He’s extremely helpful in answering questions. He doesn’t use medical jargon when explaining things (although because I like WebMD-​ing things, I do ask him for the proper scientific names). He covers all the bases and while doing all of that, he’s also funny! It makes being in a doctor’s office that much more pleasant. Or at least as pleasant as it could possibly get.
Dr. Roberts does procedures on certain days in the morning at certain hospitals on the island, like Bayley Seton. I’ve gone there for 2 endoscopies and a colonoscopy. He always makes going through those procedures a lot less stressful. He’s also sent me for a lot of tests at Regional Radiology, guessing that a particular part of my body was what was causing my problems. After an extremely specific test, it was confirmed that he was right all along!
I have to go back to him at LEAST twice a year to check up on my esophagus and colon but I’ve definitely gone to him many more times than that because my problems keep arising. If it were any other doctor, I’d probably pretend that I wasn’t sick so I wouldn’t have to see anyone but because I go to him, I know I’ll be taken care of.