I was a new patient and I had only been to the Dr one other time (a different Dr in another state) in the past year and half/two years. I explained to the nurse and the Dr that I had been abused, including a strangulation in a previous marriage, which is very difficult to talk about, but I felt necessary, to give some insight into my history.I expressed problems swallowing, breathing, and a large list of other pains that were unexplained. While I dont like to complain about things and can think that Im making a big deal out of nothing, due to the abuse Ive endured; I feel a Dr has a responsibility to help their patients feel believed and comfortable. Instead, the resounding question from both nurse and Dr was do these pains usually happen around the time of your period? Not really being able to pinpoint particular times for every issue, I agreed that it was possible. Everyone, including myself had just blown off the swallowing and breathing problems as a result of something I had been eating that was making the issue worse. I also expressed my concerns about the possibility of having Lupus, because my mom had recently been diagnosed with it. I asked that my thyroid be checked as well, because I have plenty of family medical history with Thyroidism. While my bloodwork was checked for both, neither came back positive.I had to ask for a referral to an ENT for the swallowing issues and ringing I had in my left ear. When all of my tests came back normal, I wasnt asked if I wanted to schedule another appointment and no other testing was suggested. It just felt as if I was being told, well, everything turned out normal, no big deal, see you next year!The ENT I was referred to, mentioned in my appointment that, my thyroid cartilage couldve possibly been crushed. He also discovered I had partial hearing loss in my left ear. He sent me for an MRI to check for masses (which he didnt really explain to me until afterwards when I questioned it) that may be causing the hearing loss. He sent me for a swallow study that didnt show anything and he also didnt follow up after everything turned out normal. Once again, I felt like another Dr thought I was crazy and I almost accepted it.Fortunately, my husband called wanting answers about billing and reassurance for me. So, when the ENTs nurse called back, I questioned what the Dr said in my appointment, he said my thyroid cartilage couldve possibly been crushed, would that interfere with my thyroid function in anyway? Of course, she responded with, well, didnt you have your thyroid checked already? She finally said she would speak to the ENT about our concerns and call us back. Thankfully, the ENT asked if I would like to have a CT scan done of my neck and I gladly accepted. The results of my CT scan showed an old fracture of my hyoid bone, which proves my claims of strangulation by my ex. More importantly, it showed that I had an enlarged thyroid wrapped around my esophagus, which explains ALL of my pains and the trouble with swallowing and breathing.I am disappointed by the fact that, this couldve gone undiagnosed and untreated for longer, if I hadnt advocated for myself properly. Im thankful for the tests Dr. Battjes did perform and the referral to the ENT, but Im disappointed that she didnt seem to take my concerns seriously enough to continue searching for answers herself, for me. I only have answers now, because I didnt stop pressing until I got them.

Came to her in an emergency situation, SHE BLEW IT!! DIDNT FOLLOW UP, NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED!! DONT GO TO HER, INCOMPETENT WITH NO COMPASSION. YOUR LOVED ONES MAY SUFFER UNDER HER CARE LIKE MY WIFE DID!Wow!

She is a good Doctor. Has a easy going bedside manor that makes you feel relaxed, ans makes it easy to talk about what issue I might have.

Today was My first encounter with Dr. Battles. She is fairly pleasant and easy to talk to about your health concerns. I would leave a 5 star review, but I have to say... SLOW DOWN. Your caring manner is offset when you rush through conversations with your patients. Perhaps it was not the best first impression, due to having a shadow, but I felt as though I was being rushed and slightly brushed off because of it. Other than that, no notes. Dr. Abigail Battjes, though slightly curt, was courteous, thorough and had a fair bed side manner.

She is amazing and so is her staff. She always takes time to listen to my concerns and follow up on any old news. Love her!

Best primary care since Dr. Maloney. I truly have no complaints. She clearly cares greatly and is always helpful. I believe one thing that people need to understand however, is that the way doctors are able to practice has changed. They can not give prescription to patients as they could before. Not just narcotics but antibiotics and many others. With antibiotic resistant illnesses becoming more of a concern you simply will not be treated for being mildly ill for a few days. If youve have a fever of 100.1 for 2 days while that may be temporarily troublesome it is better for your health in the long term to allow your body to recover on its own.

Shes very rude and her staff is even worseworse. shes no help. she wants you to just deal with your problems. doesnt want to help at all. then refuses to see my entire family for unknown reasons including my special needs child.

Im new to town so one of the first orders of business was to find a new doctor. I was shocked to find that most doctors in South Bend were not taking new patients so I ended up with Dr Battjes sort of by default by finally asking on the 10th try, are any doctors in town taking new patients? I could not be more pleased with the result. First River Park Family Medicine runs a great office. Visits are quickly handled, very little waiting. The nursing staff are all friendly and helpful and very responsive...having moved from Chicago to here recently, the two locations could not be more different, and I mean that as a big compliment to RPFM. Dr Battjes is friendly and easy to talk to. She genuinely seems to care about her patients which put me at ease immediately; Im not a doctor or health care frequent visitor by choice due to all of the hassle and red tape usually involved but I have nothing but compliments for Dr Battjes and the whole team at RPFM.

She rushes you, she doesnt take the time to listen to what problems you are experiencing and when I needed to see her following discharge from rehab for a severe fracture she said that she didnt need to see me.