UCB Parents Medical Recommendations
Berkeley Internal Medicine
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2001
I am looking for a new PCP. Would others share their experiences with
Richard Unger at Berkeley Internal Medicine? Thank you. S
Richard Unger was my primary care physician for years. I thought he was a
very good doctor (considered to be a doctor that other doctors would see). I
have no complaints about his medical care but I was frequently unhappy with
his personality. My oldest girlfriend still sees him but generally shares a
story about his lack of personality. However, just recently, he actually
went to meet my girlfriend to give her a much needed tetanus shot at 8:00 in
the evening. We were both surprised by his actions. I stuck with him
because I felt a quality physician without personality was better than a
personality without quality. The only reason I left is because my health
care is now with Kaiser. ND
I have Dr. Unger as my PCP. While I think my medical care in general is
fine, he is often far too busy to return calls. For instance it once took
him more than three hours to call me back after I had complained of chest
pains (on my left side). On the other hand, he was terrific when I had food
poisoning and stayed with me in his office well past hours to administer an
IV and make sure it helped. I have had limited contact with one of his
associates in the practice, Dr. Tranh (I think that's how you spell her
name), and find her to be less hurried and much more comfortable (I had
pneumonia when I delivered our second child and she was on call). I would
recommend her over Dr. Unger as I think she may have fewer patients and more
time to spend.
CW
Richard is my doctor and I like him a lot. I don't however like his
office and the hassle of getting to him through his staff: being put on
hold, cut off, messages lost etc., and I have considered switching
practices because of this. It's a big practice and the front desk is
pretty impersonal and not particularly friendly. But as a doctor himself,
(and his partners whom I've seen), he's good and has made a point of
seeing me when I needed it, even when it meant staying after hours to get
me in for an urgent problem. He's also attuned to being a parent, and the
effect that has on us, I've had to bring my kids in with me several times
and he's very nice about it. -- CK
I have been seeing Dr Unger for 5 years now. I have had a very good
experience with him. He always takes the time to explain all tests and
procedures as well as listening to my concerns and questions. I highly
reccomend him.
Gabrielle
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University of California, Berkeley.