South Coast Medical Group - Aliso Viejo, California

m W.

I have enjoyed a relatively nice relationship with this provider; however, an incident occurred when I needed a refill of a much-needed medication. It took eight phone calls over four days to resolve this issue when I contacted Johanna Gherrardini, R.T.,BSBA, the executive director of this company, I was basically told I should know better about their processes. She had all the information available. She told me she was expecting this kind of a phone call from me to which I responded, “ I feel I’ve been very cordial professional.” She then said to me well you have options. You can go anywhere you want to. I feel like I was treated so poorly that I have no other alternative then to change my primary care physician, which I will be doing. It’s unfortunate, but as the population grows older, these medical groups are unwilling to work with their patients and they’re happily sending them off to other medical groups. I find it abhorrent. Do yourselves a favor and don’t choose this medical group as your primary care physician. It’s really sad because the NP‘s and PAs that work there are wonderful. I’ve seen the physician one time and that was when I first visited there 15 years ago.

David G.

I have tried my best with this medical facility a few times now because it’s close to my house and convenient. What’s not convenient, and a complete lack of understanding about the need for privacy and security surrounding private healthcare information and a patients personal/financial information as they well. All 4 times that I have come here they insist that you have to fill out an entire packet, address, phone number, work , insurance, method of payment, social security #, drivers license, emergency contact, etc…The 1st time okay, I get it…it’s still a risk and a potential HIPPA violation. 2nd time was, ‘Oh I’m sorry, if you don’t frequently come back then we throw away your information. What? It’s in the computer! I work healthcare, and there is a reason medical facilities have an EMR system. 3rd time it was, ‘oh I’m sorry, we just changed our computer EMR software. What? That’s why you do a data migration with API bridge so you don’t lose 10-15 years of historical patients medical information ( Hey idiots medical history might come in handy) you know, because you are treating patients that come to you, thinking you have all their. 4th time, a lady cam out said, ‘if you don’t fill out the information, and it is certainly your choice but we won’t be able to see you! They don’t value our private info, they don’t value our time, they certainly don’t value our medical history….so evidently they are stuck in the 50’s & 60’s and everything important is in file cabinets and folders! Horrible, horrible and I work in health care.

Barbra C.

I’ve been a patient at So. Coast for 14 years maybe 15 years?
Started seeing Dr Occonor and now more Mikela Brown. Wonderful caring medical professionals and always a great visit.
Informative, helpful advice.
I’m healthy in my 60’s with there help.
Chef Barb

Bayley M.

Should have let the low reviews caution me against going here.
Extremely disappointed and at the time very upset about the way the appointment went. I saw the assisting physician. Unfortunately I could not wait longer for an appointment to see Shannon O'connor directly.
I did not feel as though I was working with the doctor during the apt, but rather she was telling me how I was going to follow a plan that I had initiated myself (tapering off benzos). I did not appreciate not being asked how I felt about the plan but rather just told how I would continue to follow it. When I expressed concern and asked what happens if I experience symptoms, I got a simple "You won't". Way to sooth a patient's concerns! Plus incorrect information, to boot. I can tell you I did have withdrawl symptoms (obviously).

The nurse previously spent 20 minutes asking me for my information but I don't believe the doctor reviewed it prior to seeing me, as she asked me a couple of the same questions. Doesn't exactly make someone feel like their time or issues are being taken seriously.

I really don't appreciate doctors who have the "I know better than you" attitude and treat patients like they are children.

I had other things I wanted to get done but will be finding another place to go. Dr Shannon is welcome to contact me about this manner as I don't think this way of conduct should continue with other patients. Thankfully I am experienced in interacting with doctors and I have the ability to think for myself and find a new doctor when I am treated less than satisfatcory. I pity other people who have to deal with this and don't know any better. Especially around coming off of benzos.

Gary W.

Added this office as my PCP - fyi - also operates as an urgent care. I walked in registered for appointment to be seen for broken finger with xrays. I was told wait time is hour. 55 minutes later a young man placed a sign on counter indicating no more x-rays will be done today when I indicated I've been waiting for almost an hour. He looked me in the eye, and said I would be the last x-ray guaranteed. A lady that had been waiting longer than me was told that she would not be able to get an x-ray

15 minutes later, they called my name to go for the appointment and told me that no x-rays would be performed and I question that the front desk person looked in the eye and guarantee that I would be getting an x-ray and the front desk lady told me to calm down and stop yelling. When I said that I was calm and was not yelling she walked away.

So I asked for a refund of my co-pay and I'm taking my business elsewhere

Overall, it was a horrible experience and they just lost a patient

Kate G.

This used to be a great urgent care. Unfortunately it is not anymore. Super rude staff. Receptionist snapping at each person that they have to do new pt paperwork bc of new ownership- you could say it nicely! Assistant demanding medication strength that I replied three times o do not know. Asking it 5 times with progressive attitude does not make me know the mg strength of a med bot related to ear infection visit.
After very long wait finally get antibiotic rx and they send it to the wrong pharmacy. Call back was also difficult.
Just not friendly or trying to help at all. Sad because this was a good location.

Anonymous

I am disappointed by their policies and lack of transparency.
I was told by one clinician I needed a follow-up visit to discuss abnormal lab results (although she disclosed some of my abnormal lab results in a voicemail). I made a video visit appointment that worked with my schedule with a different clinician. The "abnormal" lab results were barely out of the normal range. Additionally, the first clinician had not left any notes in my chart regarding why she recommended a follow-up visit. I was charged a $60 copay for a 5-minute video visit and the second clinician stated that he didn’t know why the first clinician recommended the follow-up visit, since the “abnormal” test results were not a cause for concern. I have sent multiple emails and spoken with staff about a refund for the $60 copay for the pointless video visit, and I have been ignored.

Stephanie C.

Please read the reviews about the rude staff before scheduling an appointment here.

I called for an appointment with my new PCP and was told that appointments were a long ways out but I could come in as a quick walk in and that if I get there at 430 pm, they move patients in and out very quickly. This information was totally incorrect and when I showed up as instructed, I was told the wait was actually 1 - 2 hrs and the hours of the clinic were different than what I was told.

The staff was extremely unprofessional and refused to advise who I spoke with. When the staff went to get the office manager Erica, I heard her say something along the lines of "great, and waste more time". I also heard them call another patient a dodo - when I mentioned this to Erica she denied it.

The doctors might have good reviews but the staff is so unprofessional and it seems nothing is being done about it based on the negative reviews resulting in no change. I decided to find a new PCP elsewhere.