All of the previous 1 star reviews are completely true and valid! I am writing this review on behalf of my brother who has a slight mental disability. Dave has been a patient of Dr Harpole for 10 years and has always expressed to me how rude the lady at the desk was but I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt. In the past Dave was diagnosed as Pre-diabetic and has both diabetes and heart disease in the family. Blood work was done two months ago and because of Daves work schedule and the Dr's shortened hours, he was just now able to schedule the bloodwork review. Going in, Dave had mentioned that he had seen a urologist regarding a prostate issue and was scheduled for a procedure to recify the problem. Dr Harpole discussed the prostate problem and then an audible "buzzer" went off signaling the end of the appointment! Dr Harpole not only rushed him out of the office but refused to even address the 2 month old blood work telling him he now needed to make yet another appointment to go over them!!! When he asked Sandra at the desk she refused to even give him any copies until Dr Harpole "released" them. The Dr did manage to litterally scribble on a piece of paper a couple of notes regarding the results and all we could make out was "borderline diabetic." Daves father passed due to complications from diabetes and Dr Harpole is well aware of this! I then made a call to Sandra asking what had happened and she told me she could not release anything without the Dr's approval even though that's what the appointment was scheduled for in the first place. The prostate issue was completely taken care of and under control. Here's the whole crux of the experience...Dave's urologist whom he had only met one time actually took the time to call me from HER HOME and spend 20 minutes talking to me to find out more about Dave because she's a doctor who CARES and is in practice for all the right reasons. I remember delivering UPS to Dr Harpole back in 1981 and thinking it's probably time to retire since there seems to be an obvious burn out issue here. I will also be contacting John Muir and the Medical board regarding his practice. Please don't waste your time or money dealing with this business and hopefully this will save at least one person the experience. Thanks for reading... read more

Totally agree with all the negatives I left two years ago Ego plus.....I was never interested in feeling his triceps or hitting him in his Abs......He asked me those questions more than a couple of times.....Also told me swimming was not a good exercise! My background was in exercise physiology and I was an Olympic swim coach in the past.......Could not believe his advice! I am so glad I now have a new doctor who is not so egotistical! Was pleased with stall even though there was some aloofness involved! Enough.....I am not bitter but did feel the need to share.....life is complicated and I made a poor choice and corrected the situation! read more

I had an appointment at 10:30am and I was waiting until 12:30pm to see the dr!!! The Lady behind the desk doesn't respect people time and ignore me for two hours!!!! I didn't get any apologize or Even glass of water . The service there is horrible Pls save your time and your money read more

If there is a negative stars rating I will do that!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worst doctor office I ever seen in my life, in my 1st visit to the office, I wasn't even welcomed, front Desk person, the Doctor himself is very rude!!!, I was shocked They tried to over charge me for normal office visit copay, they said it was emergency!!!!??? go figure... I called my insurance and American Board of Medical and file complain again this office, both said: that's not right for them to over charge you for office visit copay, they were surprised by Dr Patrick Harpole office behavior. ******PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS DOCTOR'S OFFICE BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY, NOT WORTH IT, TOTAL WAIST OF TIME****** read more

Excellent doctor. Use Dr Harpole as my primary care physician. He listens well and you can tell that he truly cares about his patients. For some reason I typically only do reviews for restaurants... not usually for things like doctors. But I was perplexed by a couple of the one star reviews and had to speak up on behalf of Dr. Harpole. I've had an excellent experience with him (and his receptionist), and would recommend him to anybody. read more

Seriously don't even waste your time coming here unless you like to be treated poorly. The Dr is extremely rude and so is his assistant. If you have an issue with your bill you'd better hope Teresa is in a good mood cause she will make you feel like a complete moron for not understanding your charges. Yes I understand I was in your office what I don't understand is why it cost me 160$ for the Dr to sign a piece of paperwork and then send me for blood-work that I didn't even get done. I'd rather go to county then deal with this again which is sad to say but true. read more

I have known Dr. Harpole for over 25 years and he has been my doctor just as long. I read the 1 star comments and it goes back to the unpleasant office staff. He, as a doctor, is the greatest. Once he hired Sandra, all those issues were resolved. I have been to specialists, who did not know as much about the medical issue as Dr. Harpole, a GP. My whole family and most of my friends go to Dr. Harpole. My biggest concern is who will I go to when he retires. I have great insurance and can go to any doctor I choose. I go to Dr. Harpole everytime. read more

At the recommendation of a friend,I went to Dr. Harpole for one issue (back problem). He was the first doctor to correctly identify the problem. This is after going to 2 spine specialists!! (issue is not back, it's your s.i. joint)This was huge for me. He took the time to research my issue after my MRI. No other dr. did this! I am now a Kaiser patient, but still go (out of pocket) to see Dr. Harpole at times because he can address so much in one visit. Sondra is allso great. I feel like I am stopping in to see friends when I go there. He even gave me a Full Bar to take with me as he knew I was seeing him on my lunch break! read more

I was referred to Dr Harpole by 2 friends that see him & love him. He has helped me so much in the past year and a half I have lost over 30 pounds with his help. His assistant Sandra always answers the phone night or day. I couldn't ask for a better doctor and I feel blessed to have found Dr Harpole and to have such a wonderful caring doctor. read more

Just moved to the area and have been seeing Dr Harpole for some time now and he is the best doctor I've ever seen. Pays special attention to your every need and he makes sure your taken care of. I can always get same day appointment if necessary. read more

Dr. Harpole is the best. He takes time to talk to you about your concerns. He is extremely knowledge about medicine and what may ail you. Sandra who runs the office is an awesome assistant and has a pleasant voice when answering the phone. She always makes sure the doctor can see you when you call in. Thank You Dr. Harpole for being so caring with your patients. read more

I have never dealt with more unprofessional receptionist. Because of their rude, condescending attitudes, I have had to switch doctors. Sandra, one of the main receptionists, was especially rude to me. Not to mention, the receptionists are constantly gossiping about their family and friends loud enough for everyone in the waiting room to hear. If you are looking for a good doctor, please save yourself the headache and DO NOT go to Dr. Harpole's office. read more

I didn't even have a chance to meet this doctor, but his receptionist is incredibly rude, unfriendly and doesn't even listen to questions properly. Good thing she wouldn't accept new patients from HMO's because I wouldn't want to see what their office is like after the terrible phone call I just experienced. read more

My mother loved him she had many medical problems and went to him for gosh something like 20 years, when she died it would have been nice to get a card or call, she was really unhappy with the new office staff working there the last few years. read more

First let me say that I was beyond excited to find a doctor same day who was willing to see a new patient. I soon would find out why this doctor had same-day appointments available. I saw his picture he looked like a nice guy. I saw some of the reviews. They were mixed, the bad saying that they were rude and the good saying miscellaneous things. I met the rude side of that office. Honestly some of the sweetest people I've met are nurses. So this caught me by surprise when she was the way she was. The nurse/receptionist was one of the rudest women I've ever met in that position. Right from the very beginning when I was filling out my form she was rude. I made a joke that I had some mistakes. Her comment was I'm not grading you on this. Some may see this as a funny sarcastic remark. She did not say it in a funny sarcastic way. It was a very rude talking down to me way. I was fine with all of that because in the end the most important thing is a good doctor who takes care of their patients. I put up with the nurse/receptionist because I believed this was the doctor I would see for the next ten plus years. Then I met the doctor he was worse than the nurse/receptionist! From the moment he walked in it was like I kicked his cat and then asked him for medical care. He didn't care about anything I said barely treated me. At one point I was talking to him and he just walked out of the room went back-and-forth through the hallway then stood in the middle of the doorway and wouldn't help me anymore. He was done with me. I've never seen this from a doctor before it was unbelievable. My biggest issue/complaint. The thing that blew my mind was when I went to tell him about the leg issue I've had for a while. I told him I could remove my pants and I had shorts on. I figured this way he could check the area thoroughly. This was something that all doctors that saw my leg would ask. i always had shorts under my sweatpants so they could thoroughly check it. He told me nope keep your sweatpants on. He instead pushed incredibly hard on the tender area. The area I told him multiple times was tender. He pushed so hard I wanted to cry. He had to push hard because he had to go through multiple layers of fabric!! He clearly wanted me out of the office as soon as possible. The nurse/receptionist and Dr. are perfect for each other because they're both the same personality. They both come across very rude. They come across like they don't care about the patient. It was a really really horrible experience. I will say this he does deserve the one star not from me but from the man I met in the parking lot. He was sitting in the lobby while I was there and was very nice. When I left I saw him sitting in the parking lot and I asked him his opinion of the doctor. I couldn't believe what I just saw so I was curious of his opinion. He seemed like he was known their. . He gave me a very interesting response. He told me that his reaction when meeting the doctor for the first time was pretty much the same as mine. He stayed with the doctor and started to become excepting of the doctors ways. That he was helped a lot and that he was in bad shape when he first started coming multiple years ago. So he's clearly helping some people he just does not want to help me. I don't want to put up with being mistreated by a person who would treat others in this way. You won doc I'll go see a different doctor. i'm sure my review will go into the filtered area. But if you do read this please save yourself the time and effort and find another doctor with better reviews because what people are saying about this doctor is true it's very very true. Oh and I've had to make another appointment with a whole Nother doctor for next Friday because I got nothing out of this appointment nothing!! I still worry about my leg and I still worry about the thing going in my face. He came across clueless about giving me any kind of real advice on the growth in my face. Only advice he said is I don't know anything about it unless we cut it out of your face. What!! That's it no idea what it could be or what I should be looking at before I come in again. Bottom line is he just didn't want to help me and I worry that he won't want to help you. read more

After the review I submitted in 2011, I decided to give Dr Harpole another chance when I was suffering from a sinus and ear infection and was desperate for treatment for the pain. I was pleasantly surprised when I called their office and was able to get an appointment the SAME DAY. When I arrived to the office, I was happy to see that the receptionist was friendly and professional and that the issues I had encountered in prior visits were no longer a problem. I decided to keep Dr Harpole as my primary care physician after giving his office another chance in 2012 since it seems like they have made changes for the better. read more

After my Doctor of 30 Years retired, I thought I'd never see the likes of a "Good Ole' Fashon Doctor again. After a bit of searching, and a guess Dr. Harpol came into my life. Like Doctors we slightly older folks are used to, he explains clearly, symptoms, reasons, and even offers materials if I wish to research my condition in detail. Old Fashon, is only in the way he treats every patient. No rush, no time limit, like it used to be! He will work with us as long as we need to diagnose the issue. I'm going through tough headaches these days. I have no doubt together we will figure this thing out. A Good Doctor needs your patience, as we need his. This Dr, and his Staff are the most patient, accommodating folks around. I'd highly recommend this office. read more

I am so very impressed by Sondra/Office Manager in Dr Harpole's office. My Mom (almost 80) was diagnosed with bronchitis. Having a difficult night, me worrying it could be pneumonia. I decided to call the office number hoping to get an "after hours answering service". To my surprise Sondra answered the phone. (On a Friday night 7pm) she calmed me and gave me good advise regarding my Moms condition. She was my lifeline. I was so amazed by her! Though it didn't end there. The next day... Saturday, she called ME in the am to check on my Mom. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with Dr Harpole and Sondra! Great care and professionalism! read more

Dr. Harpole and Sondra are like family to me. Dr. Harpole and Sondra once you get to know them are more than just superb health care providers but exceptionally interested in taking care of people. In other words, the whole person. Dr. Harpole has seen so many patients and has practiced medicine in so many varied and interesting places that he has extensive knowledge that is far better than a run of the mill family practice physician. He still reads extensively and keeps up to date. Now I have seen some reviews that indicate some roughness around the edges but I will say that I like that because Dr. Harpole pulls no punches. That is tough love and sometimes folks don't like it or can't take it. That's understandable but I think you need a physician to tell you the unvarnished truth. Patients have a role in health care and both Dr. Harpole and Sondra are not mind readers. You must talk and interact. Get to know them. You will not be disappointed. read more

I'm a long-time patient of Dr. Harpole for a reason: he's knowledgeable and sincerely interested and involved in helping me maintain my health. I take my list, we talk through it, and when I get a blank look on my face we go through it again until I get it. Together we identify and evaluate the options. I have to admit I have had to wait beyond my appointment time, but usually it's because a patient either added more "stuff" to their Dr. Harpole list or an unexpected problem arose. If you've ever needed more time for whatever reason, you'd understand. As for Sondra, his incredible multi-tasking Assistant, my experience is she does everything possible to keep a very busy office running smoothly and all the balls they juggle in the air. She cares about the patients and I find will do all in her power to deliver on what's asked. I think she's a tremendous asset to the office and they complement each other. They make a great team, are very compassionate, caring, and fun. Thank you both! read more

Long time patient and for good reason. Never feel rushed, always has practical and affordable treatment plan. I always leave his office better informed and feeling optimistic. read more

He may be a great doctor, considering I think he passed the doctors test in 1940...possibly. However this office staff is rude and unorganized. Which immediately puts me off. Then he makes every patient wait a MINIMUM of 45mins-1hr in the waiting room before even getting seen or in a room. In the busy Bay Area, not worth the wait. read more

I love Dr. Harpole. I have been going to him for 17 years and he is the most honest, down to earth doctor you will ever meet and he knows his stuff. He is quirky but in a good way. He helped me with medical issues and conditions that other doctor's never diagnosed. I will go to him until the day he retires which hopefully wont be anytime soon! read more

My father saw Dr. Harpole off and on for around 30 years. In the last few, my complaint would not be with the administrative staff but with a complete lack of care. He was no longer listening to what his patients nor their advocates had to say. He was no longer treating people and sometimes not even treating the ailments they were visiting him to remedy. He became rude and defensive when asked specific health care questions such as "Why am I being prescribed this medication?" and seemed to simply be pushing his own agenda. He was no longer a practicing doctor. Simply A Name, MD hanging on for the last years of a business. He was very helpful in years past but those were very much in the past. When presented with the plea "What we are asking for is a little of your time and care" we were told that there were other patients he needed to attend to. That was the end. read more

I have been coming to Dr. Harpole for over 8 years now. I was sad when my insurance was changed by my employer to kaiser recently, but that does not stop me from coming to Dr. Harpole. When Sondra was hired to manage the front desk I was very pleased. She answers phones at all hours of the day and night. When she says she will return your call, she does and she is always willing to squeeze me in for last minute appointments. Dr. Harpole is a very sweet man. He addresses all of my needs in one appointment and I don't have to beat around the bush with him. He is very straight forward and has been in practice for so long he knows what I need and I'm in and out of his office with very little wait time. Since the medical industry has changed so much in the last few years I was kind of worried about what my bills would look like. Teresa is his biller and has been since I can remember. She is very sweet and always answers my calls on the first try. This is very nice because she's familiar with my account and she knows what's going on when I call her. I never have to worry about speaking with someone I don't know or talking to someone in another country from a call center. She's very knowledgeable and always puts me at ease when I call her freaking out about something my insurance has sent me. I'm a worried wart when it comes to my personal information so it's very nice to see that Dr. Harpole has a very small staff and they never leave him. Dr. Harpole must not retire anytime soon because I'm sure I will not find another doctor and office staff like his that treats me like family and takes care of my every need. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!! read more