I’m a patient of another doctor who has pooled her patients with Dr Rathwell at Rideau Crossing so they can alternate weeks in the clinic and at the local hospital. I am greatly satisfied with my original doctor but less than happy with Dr Rathwell. Most often it is a student doctor who takes the appointment and Dr Rathwell doesn’t make an appearance. However, when he does he seems to give the impression that he doesn’t know why you are there (staff specifically asks when you book the appointment and again when you go into the exam room to wait). You end up explaining for a third time and then you watch him go onto the computer to click and type. You will get one or two questions but you are really on your own to tell him what you think might be going on (which I don’t like, since I’m not a doctor). He has a good chance of summing up at this point and prescribing some medication, even though you have barely exchanged information. You will even find it necessary to ask about test results like bloodwork that had been ordered before your appointment. He seems to be preoccupied or worse: disinterested in you being there.

Submitted March 30, 2023

I strongly feel that Rathwell does not take into account the patient's perspective. I was having panic attacks and Rathwell told me I should exercise more to prevent them (a valid preventative measure). When I explained that I can't really fit regular exercise into my lifestyle, or afford a gym membership, he told me 'well I was in school once too and you just have to'. I had 4 jobs, was a full time student and ran a small company at the time and he wouldn't even have a conversation with me about what other interventions I could reasonably build into my lifestyle. Complete non-starter. I have chronic knee pain so I can't just go for a run whenever I start to feel a panic attack but he would not hear me after he had said his little piece.
I have had two phone appointments where he just didn't call me, and I have never once felt like this person cares about me or my wellbeing at all. I have a degree in biomedicine and I am very health literate, yet it feels as though he doesn't trust my perception of my own health experience, which is pretty disappointing and leaves me feeling incredibly helpless.

Submitted Dec. 21, 2021

Bad Dr. Would not recommend! He is almost killed me with not knowing what he was doing! Never get him as a doctor! Highly recommend for you not to have him as your doctor. He is slow and dosnt listen. Please do not get this doctor!!!

Submitted Dec. 3, 2018

hard to get an appointment with him, and when you get the appointment it lasts 5 minutes. most of the times we meet the resident not him. It's frustrating to say the least. I just hate going there again.

Submitted March 2, 2017

Dr Rathwell has been amazing with our growing family. He was my husbands gp and took me on without question. He. Ow also has our three boys and we couldn't ask for a better doctor!

Submitted Oct. 31, 2016

I had to go to ER for strep throat. The pain was crazy and was in tears when I had to swallow and I had also had them before and knew what it was. The glands were huge on both side of my neck and I also had huge white patches in throat.
I found dr Rathwell incredible rough when he was checking my glands, then did a strep test and then sent me home...he said he would call if anything cmes up. Now I sit here at 4am still in huge amounts of pain and a bigger neck then before praying for a call so I can get a antibiotic. If I see that man again on ER I will have to leave.
Prime example of a Dr not listening to a patient, we know our own bodies and when something is wrong.
Would never recommend this dr.

Submitted March 26, 2016

The office may be busy, but when you have a real issue Dr. Rathwell is great. He took the time to listen and help me through a recent serious medical situation. I like the new appointment system, it has really improved availability. When I had a problem, I called and was seen the same day

Submitted Nov. 6, 2015

Been with Dr. Rathwell for a few yeas, hard to get an appointment with, not in on Fridays, always on trips, usually end up with a fill in doctor, trying to switch doctors, read the other reviews, I don't recommend.

Submitted July 24, 2015

I like Dr Rathwell as a person, but I don't find him very thorough as a doctor. He always seems rushed, & gives quick answers to my questions. I rarely feel that he is thorough enough. As someone else said, he often has residents with him ... but I'm actually happy to see residents as they tend to be more thorough, & know that they are being evaluated. I often feel that Dr Rathwell is trying to treat everything by himself, & have had to ask for every referral I've had to a specialist, despite the fact that I know many people, who see other GPs, who get referred to specialists without having to ask. I'm not a hypochondriac, so not asking for useless referrals, but find that he has never taken the initiative in asking for a more expert opinion.

Submitted April 9, 2015

Sometimes hard to get through on the phone, but the office has always squeezed us in when needed. Dr. Rathwell listens well, and is helpful.

Submitted Nov. 21, 2014