James L. Watkins's Online Review Report Card

Hands down the best! He has always been very attentive, compassionate, spends time answering questions, explaining short and long term plans and ideas! He is extremely intelligent and passionate about helping his patients, he takes it personal to try and help you be the healthiest you can be. I would recommend him all day long! I honestly can't say enough great things about the care I have received, We drive 5 hours to go see him and he is worth every minute of it.

Hands down the best! He has always been very attentive, compassionate, spends time answering questions, explaining short and long term plans and ideas! He is extremely intelligent and passionate about helping his patients, he takes it personal to try and help you be the healthiest you can be. I would recommend him all day long! I honestly can't say enough great things about the care I have received from him and his entire staff at IU!

He May be a very well-known doctor for Gastro but I’ve yet to see anything extraordinary. This man has an ego bigger than his body his arrogance is a palling he makes it very well known that if you’re not going to make him a lot of money with your ailment then he just doesn’t have time for you! He has ZERO bedside manner and when asked specific questions he either brushes over the issue or just stares at you and does this weird pleghmy honker drawn sound, it’s quite disgusting. He also has no problem with having his patients SUFFER through horrible pancreatic attacks with no intervention! Guaranteed once your diagnosed your on your own! His staff is overworked and rude also. While they try to maintain a relative calmness, the case loads are overwhelming and ultimately they let loose in the patients- whether that be in the rooms or hallways you can hear everything said. It’s quite disturbing. So yes he may be somewhat good at transplants I’m not convinced he’s any good with the rest of the GI and I went to him for 9 years. Good luck!

Dr. Watkins helped save my life. That is worth 5 stars. He is honest and extremely well respected for his work in Gastroenterology. I would happily refer anyone to him and IU Health.

He is very rude and awful customer service

I have been with Dr. Watkins since 2014 when he found and diagnosed me with chronic pancreatitis and gastroparesis. He was the only doctor who was able to find the cause to many years of pain and sickness. Since diagnosis I have deteriorated but he has been my life line and kept my head above water. In 2017 I began losing tons of weight and couldn’t keep any solids or liquids down, after contacting Mr. Watkins about this issue it was determined my pancreatitis and gastroparesis had progressed this leading to a permanent GJ tube placement. Dr. Watkins did a wonderful job with the initial GJ tube surgery and I’ve had three changes of tubing thus far and have always come out of it pain and nausea free! Although you can have some slight issues after placement, I have not had any other than the common skin issues which do arise from pressure and such. I have to say I am extremely comfortable and blessed with doctor Watkins. Every time I see him he knows exactly what to do and asks if I’m on board with his suggestions, he may seem a little blunt and out right but I love that in him! I’d rather have things told how it is than sugar coat it. Some people prefer a more personable approach but to me he is all business and keeping the patient in the best shape possible. I highly suggest him if you have pancreatitis or gastroparesis for sure.

Dr. Watkins is very knowledgeable and very up to date in his practice. His peers appreciate this about him and have voted him as one of the top physicians in the area for 2016. However, with the knowledge and up to date practice, please be ready for sarcasm that tilts into ridicule, hour to two hour waits in the exam rooms, tantrums when the journey in life doesn't go his way and your treatment plan to change every time you visit him. My treatment plan has changed 5 times with him..I've seen him 6 times in clinic. He never saw me in the hospital after a procedure until I asked if he was coming to round on me ever (I was in the hospital nearly a week.) I appreciate the work that he's done for me but I would appreciate more professionalism from a physician and expect a physician to much more approachable to his patients than Dr, Watkins is to his currently.