Avoid! Very dismissive, barly examined or touched me, order zero tests, was distracted by his phone and watch, and even someone coming into the room during our visit - they interrupted me mid sentence!! Not for an emergency, either. He walked out of the room with no recommendation or closure. I felt dismissed and like he couldn't care less about me or my illness.

I waited over a month to see him and spent the day getting to and from his office, and literally spent less than five minutes with him. Total waste of time, money, and hope... dismal.

Submitted June 23, 2019

Dr Helfgott is very knowledgeable and has helped me with my polymyalgia very much. I had gone to other Doctors before and never got help. Always answers me when I call or email him with questions

Submitted May 8, 2017

Dr. Helfgott was distracted and texting during our meeting. I came to him for a second opinion on my RH treatment (seropositive). I had just started methotrexate at the recommendation of my home MD. He said he wasn't convinced, reordered all of the same tests, which came back with the same result. I had to email him for a recommendation. I was left with so many questions... ultimately, he told me to stop taking the medication, which did not make sense to me. (I believe if he had listened to me in the meeting, he would have realized that I had only just started it). I'm sure there was a method to the madness, although it wasn't communicated to me. So many people come to Boston hospitals for the expertise... to finally get there and to be given so little attention (and to walk away confused) was disappointing. Also, I get the nagging suspicion that if you don't have bone deformity or serious pain yet, you will not get the time and attention you might need.

Submitted March 31, 2017

Dr. Helfgott is one of the smartest, knowledgeable & compassionate physicians I have encountered in my 20 years of living with a chronic disease. Each time I meet with him, I am amazed and grateful for the broad swath of medical knowledge he has, not just in his own field of Rheumatology, but the depth of details in other medical areas which also impact my disease.
His office staff is super responsive as well. Dr. Helfgott is one of the pillars on which the stellar reputation of Brigham & Women's hospital rests.

Submitted Jan. 5, 2017

I was called into room 15 mins early & seen despite advising staff I had not finished paperwork. They said, "no problem". Well, since I was in room less than six minutes, it was a problem, as I was not asked any more than five questions by doctor before he dismissed prior medical diagnoses, tests, and everything every other doctor had decided on the basis of NO medical evidence. Could we have a doctor here with the God complex? In short, he did not listen, and made me feel as though I was malingering even though retired. Did no tests, no examination, and is walking fine line in his snap judgements with no basis in fact. Fact that I was diagnosed on incomplete paperwork & not able to have human interaction is a shame. What good is a brilliant doctor if he has little interest in helping you?

Submitted Sept. 13, 2016

Dr. Held got was quick to make a decision about what Condition I did not have without even examining me. I was literally in the room for five minutes. I'm not sure if he was listening to me and he instantly dismissed options of other doctors who had followed my condition. Labs came back positive and with high sed rates, apparently he was not impressed and never called me back. Don't waste your time with this witch doctor.

Submitted July 11, 2016

Dr. Helfgott was gruff, unfriendly and very distant. He didn't test me to find out what my condition actually was... I left his office without a diagnosis. What a waste of my time from an unprofessional man. I would not recommend him to anyone.

Submitted Dec. 11, 2015

We have been struggling to find a treatment for my RA as it is active, but my immune system has bottomed out and I keep getting sick while on the DMRs. It was a three and half hour ride into Boston. It cost 8$ to park. I was there early for the appointment and waited 25 minutes to be called by the dr. for my appointment......who called me Mr. as he had not bothered to read the three years of records sent by my Dr. along with notes. So he didn't even know if I was a male or female at this point. He had a referral from my Dr. but the only thing he could say to me was why are you here. It went down hill from there. I am beyond disgusted. He spent less than 10 minutes with me. Had never even bothered to look at my records or given my case any thought. I thought BW had a good reputation? Not so much based on this. He doesn't even want to see me again. He just wants me to send more records. It was everything that is wrong with medicine. I don't know if he has knowledge as he didn't disply much of anything. He definitely doesn't smile, or shake hands or really care about what the patient might have to think or say. I suggest you think twice before wasting your time on this practitioner.

Submitted Sept. 11, 2015

what a horrible experience!


inattentive. busy on cell phone for at least half my appt.- total lack of interest in my case. I felt as if I were annoying him. X-rays were taken-never did get results
Brilliant Dr at MGH was rec. to me- so pleased that I left
helfgott

Submitted July 8, 2015

Submitted Aug. 9, 2014