Bernens Anthony T, MD

Ditto Kenster A. You hit it right on the target when it comes to Dr. Bernens; however, the «new» staff is slow to respond to requests. I have been on hold for 7 mins. as I type this. Regarding responses: i.e., questions on MyJohnMuir, refills requested by pharmacy and/​or myself. Hold time is seriously ridiculous. In his original practice, the people answering the phone not only answered in a timely manner, but also took time to know you and responses were immediate or that same day.

Dr. Bernens has a wide variety of patients, but guess that a majority of them are over 75. He spends Fridays doing rounds at the hospital: checking in on his patients. I’ve also had to reschedule some appointments if he has patients in hospital. I see this as putting those patients in critical care as a top priority. Dr. B keeps up with current treatments and recommends regular blood work to monitor your issues. The recommendations for follow-​up appointments with specialists have always been on the spot and highly recommended professionals. Appointments can range from on time to delayed 30– 60 mins. Pretty typical in our experiences. You can call in advance to see how behind he is.

Run the other way as fast as you can. The office staff is beyond awful. No covering doctor and if bernens is away you’re screwed since no one else will help you… just walk your butt over to urgent care instead. Dr Bernens is not thorough, does not order simple screening or follow-​up tests like blood and xrays which would rule out guess work especially with bacterial infection. Would suggest DeMonteiro in Walnut Creek/​John Muir if you want a professional good doctor.

Dr. Bernens has always been responsive to my needs. He knew each of the Doctors he referred me to personally. This included at least a neurologist and a cardiologist, both of whom treated me equally well. He always addresses each of my needs and questions to my satisfaction and would recommend Dr. Bernens very highly and will continue to have him as my primary physician.

Dr. Bernens is one of the most caring physicians that I have met. He has helped three generations of my family and is thoughtful and interested in our whole health. He regularly cites journals and studies that improve health and is willing to investigate treatments or medications, as well as, continually monitors and measures our health progress. Our family thought that this high-​level of medicine had been lost. He is smart, compassionate, firm and genuine. Consider yourself fortunate if you have Dr. Bernens as your physician. — Joel C.

I was a patient of Dr. Bernens for about years, despite feeling like the care I was receiving was less than adequate. Three separate occurrences I will share are: (1) A few years ago during an exceptionally bad allergy season, I went a little to heavy on the Afrin and became dependent on it. I went to see Dr. Bernens for help. He treated me like a drug addict. He told me the solution was to stop using it and if I couldn’t stop on my own there was nothing he could do. He referred me, with a tone of disgust, to a nose surgeon who, thankfully was able to prescribe a three day dose of medication that CURED me completely. (2) During a period of time when I was having panic attacks he kept trying to prescribe anti-​depressent medication, despite me telling him I didn’t want to put a medication into my system every day that I would eventually become dependent on. In disgust again, he referred me to a psychiatrist. That referral didn’t go so well because he doesn’t actually know the doctors he refers you to, he just picks them out of a book. (3) More recently I went to see him for a referral to a «female» doctor. He insisted that he would have to examine me before giving me a referral. It was awkward and uncomfortable and I refused the exam. He reluctantly gave me a referral to a specialist, who turned out to be a man. Wait time was always at least ½ hour but usually longer. Prescription refills to weeks to happen, despite repeated faxes from my pharmacy. Do yourself a favor, find a different doctor.