I was both relieved and horrified to see this many bad reviews. I have never been treated so poorly…read moreand unprofessionally by a medical office in my life, and I've had many doctors, from LA to SF. I thought I might have done something wrong, until I read these ratings and see that my experience was not unusual. They do not return phone calls. They are rude and dismissive when you speak to them. I am experiencing mind numbing back pain; the outcome from a severely broken spine twenty years ago. I was desperate to see someone soon, and their first available with the referred Dr. Kuang was two months away. I asked if anyone else were available sooner, and Dr. Patel had time the following week. I needed a separate referral sent, and ordered it. Then they called and said Dr. Kuang had "double booked" me and could see me in two weeks. I did not want to wait that long if I didn't have to, nor did I want to be squeezed in between appointments, and said I preferred to come in earlier and see Dr. Patel. They told me to call the following Monday. And when I called, either they didn't answer the phone or, on answering it, told me I had to speak to the scheduler. Then they transferred me to a scheduler who handles...surgeries. After more phone calls, I was able to leave a message with the right person. Who then never called me back. For three days! It appears the office is in flux, with a lot of turnover. When I finally got someone on the phone, they said "oh, Dr. Patel is not available now." I was shocked that he'd gone from multiple openings to none. And nobody had called to schedule me in. Then they said, somewhat cryptically, that he wasn't going to be in the office that week anyway, and my appointment would have been cancelled regardless. What? I expressed my frustration with their lack of protocol, and my fears that if they couldn't even return a call, I was worried about getting the epidural I know I need. (Have had them before.) Ten minutes later, they called me back, and said they were refusing patient care. That I had to find someone else! What kind of responsible medicine is this? I was justifiably frustrated by their lack of concern, or follow through, and told them so. I can understand doctors thinking a patient might not be a good fit, but nobody had even seen me. Instead, I got the run around for two weeks. And since this is SLO, there are few other places to go. In short, they condemned me to more weeks of suffering because of their irresponsible behavior. I would never, ever, ever go to these doctors, under any circumstances. Have found an outstanding practice in Santa Barbara - worth the drive. Utterly professional, and immediately responsive to my situation. They said they see lots of patients from SLO, and have heard the same unhappy stories about Pain Management Specialists. Meantime, I intend to write up my experience and send it to the State Medical Board. It's borderline malpractice, especially if a patient worsens over the time they are not seen. I'm not interested in pursuing the matter further; but I hope there is some kind of disciplinary measure taken. And I hope all those who have also been treated shabbily report it to the Medical Board, as well. Their behavior is inexcusable. I understand the world doesn't revolve around me, and my needs, but when I am making every effort to be seen, following instructions for a referral, and calling in a timely manner, as requested, I see no reason why phones cannot be answered, calls returned, along with a staff who deals with patients in a courteous manner, instead of a snippy, exasperated tone. And then, to be dismissed, as if I were simply booking a nail appointment, instead of crucially needed care. Shameful. I worked in corporate America for years, and this kind of unprofessionalism simply wasn't tolerated. And should not be.
