Tom Boetel, DO - Pain Management in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

“Terrible provider! He's very arrogant, rude, lacks compassion and was dismissive of the horrible pain I was having. Told me he doesn't prescribe medications of any sort (prednisone, med for nerve pain, muscle relaxant, etc) yet I learned that he prescribed a med to a different patient. He acted like I was over exaggerating my pain and didn't pay heed to the fact that i couldn't walk on my heel without my toes touching the ground and i had notable weakness in my leg. (I ended up having a fusion for Spondylolisthesis, herniated disc, severe foraminal narrowing.) I had to do PT, Chiro, and then injection that was not helpful at all. He wanted to do another injection and then he wanted to order an EMG and a nerve conduction study, my answer was No! I will NEVER go back to him.”

— Nichol Masur

“One of the worst doctors I have seen at Sanford and I go to MANY specialty doctors. I saw him before for back pain and all he recommended was physical therapy. I ended up having another doctor order an MRI to see what issues I was actually working with and SOMEHOW Boetel found out and "wanted to see me in office". The only options he gave me was PT or a shot in my spine(not happening looking at the reviews of him doing this and failing). I asked to see a different provider and I was told this is "against clinic policy". Weird. No other specialty clinic has EVER said that to me if I wasn't comfortable with my provider. PLEASE GO TO A DIFFERENT DOCTOR IF YOUR INSURANCE ALLOWS IT. read his reviews. he came in with terrible bed side manners and acted like your issues weren't serious. PS - its only MALE spine specialty doctors which is why I think this "policy" is touted. They "band together" if a patient doesn't like one doctor..especially Boetel since he has the worst reviews.”

— Ariel

“Dr. Boetel Is quite possibly the worst provider I have seen at Sanford. I went in to see him for a bulging disk which was a previous work injury. He kept making comments on my weight and that I couldn't have surgery. Yes, I know I'm fat but surgery would be the last option I would choose for me. When I returned for my epidural, I was lying on the table knowing a needle was going to go in my spine having to listen to him making sexist comments about women and maternity leave. Boetel's RN was due soon and her husband was getting paternity leave. He thought that was the most ridiculous thing. The women in the room got quiet. I did tell him the US is leaps and bounds behind other countries in this department- that Sweden parents get a year. Then he finally stopped. After receiving this epidural, it flared sciatica up on both sides worse than anything before - one thing I will not blame him for because this stuff happens and I do not think/hope it was not on purpose. I was in so much pain I couldn't walk more than 3 minutes at a time because of the burning, searing pain down both of my legs. But WORST of all is the NEGLECT I received after that epidural. I called Sanford and they said he was on vacation until the next week and they didn't have a covering provider. He went one vacation and NO ONE covered him and I couldn't see anyone else "because dr boetel did not sign off on it." I sat in the worst pain of my life. I could only get up to use the bathroom. All I could do was cry, my husband made me go to the ER. I'm an RN in my 30s I don't go to the ER. That's when I decided I would move to Avera. During the time where I could not move without being in pain and having been neglected, it made me think about all of his patients that live with chronic pain and wondering if he treated them like me. I should have said something sooner to advocate for these people. I am saying it now because one of my friends asked me who she should see because she didn't want to see the same arrogant provider I saw. She got set up with him...thankfully intercepted that. So if you want sexist, fat-phobic, neglectful man who thinks too highly of himself he is your choice. If you want better, go to avera spine! Dr Faryna and Tim his CNP were AMAZING!”

— Jessica I

“The following opinions are my own and not the views of my employer. I allowed myself a second visit to Dr. Tom Boetel before writing a review since I developed a poor view of the Physician and thought he was just having an off day. However, after coming back for a second appointment, I now know his true character and approach to medicine, and I would like the opportunity to share my experience and opinion of my interaction. I want to start by saying that the mixed to poor reviews of the physicians on Google and Healthgrades do not reflect Sanford as an organization that provides some of the best services in the region. Nor do the nursing or X-ray staff, who are incredible and some of the best at what they do. They were the highlights of my interactions with Dr. Boetel and shouldn't be penalized as a reflection of the Physician's performance. I am sure that Dr. Boetel is quite knowledgeable in his specialty and probably pretty good at what he does. However, one of the critical components of medicine is caring, which he is undoubtedly missing. Theodore Roosevelt said, " Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." I think that Dr. Boetel would be served well to learn this quote and relate it to the patients he sees. Dr. Boetel's bedside manner with me was poor. He was dismissive of my complaints, failed to listen to me, and dismissed my ongoing pain. I came into the office seeking relief from my pain and answers on how this could be improved, but instead, I was left feeling dismissed, unworthy of care, confused, and angry. I thought the care was poorly handled and that he was pretty rude. I hope that my review is helpful when choosing a provider for your spine issues.”

— Christopher South