South Coast Medical Group - Aliso Viejo, California

Bayley Macintosh

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 winthworp

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 Garcia

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 Cabrera

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.

Christina Castleforte

I’ve been coming here for 10 years. The PA’s are excellent and Dr O’Conner is amazing. You have to make an appointment with her to see her two weeks. She is amazing Dr and very popular with the patients. The PA’s you can come in to see them and if you have a PA who you have been seeing and make an appointment with them.

janine carver

Breach of Hippocratic Oath at this facility by Dr. Mikayla Brown.

Made an appointment for a Pap and mammogram at this facility. During my appointment with Dr. Mikayla Brown I was told that the actual mammogram would be performed at an outside lab. She asked if I had any areas of concern and I told her there was a small lump on my right breast that was sore to the touch. She educated me before performing the breast exam and she spent a little extra time on the lump She ended the exam saying that she would order the mammogram and that it would get checked out.

When making the lab appointment I was told they were booked one month out. By a stroke of luck they had a cancellation and I was able to get in two days after my appt with Dr. Brown

Upon my arrival to the lab they had me fill out a questionnaire asking if I had any areas of concern. I noted the lump.
The staff then proceeded to tell me that the doctor ordered the wrong mammogram for me. Apparently she ordered a "screening" but when a lump is noted its actually a “diagnostic” one that should have been ordered. They told me they would call my doctor and that 98% of the time the doctor will just switch the orders.

Dr. Mikaela refused to switch the orders. She told the lab staff that I would have to make a brand new appointment with her in order for her to give me a diagnostic mammogram order. Can you imagine, I was just in to see her two days ago and she performed a breast exam. Why would I have to come in again?

Upon arrival for this second appointment I asked why I needed this appointment when the lump was discussed at my appt. with Dr. Brown. Her staff went to speak with her and came back explaining that Dr. Brown says she never discussed any lump with me in the appointment and that she was unaware of the issue which was why she ordered just the screening. Imagine my frustration at a doctor lying about a conversation we had just two days ago. Why would a doctor lie about a thing like this?

When seen by Dr. Lau in this new appointment she explained that Dr. Brown could not order a diagnostic mammogram in my original appointment because of insurance coding issues. So that’s why she ordered just the screening. Imagine learning that a doctor knows about a lump in a patient's breast but because of insurance coding issues she orders a mammogram screening that she knows to be an exam that won’t address the lump for the patient. So not only did she first lie about having the actual conversation with me in the first place, but then later I am told by another doctor that she didn’t order the diagnostic lab needed because of insurance coding issues.

So insurance coding trumps the actual wellness of a patient here at South Coast Medical Group?

Shame on this doctor for lying and shame on her for putting insurance coding ahead of someone’s actual life.
Some doctor this is.

Jamie Wong

I agree with the other reviews on this site that the majority of the staff is really condescending, rude and disrespectful. I went there for help and I got shamed and humiliated not being perfect. I give a higher rating for the medical team especially, Dr. O'Connor and Chardonnay. Unfortunately, they have little time to get to know me and my medical history. I went to the clinic for consistently for 10 years and the service was much better before Covid. I am not sure if I will ever go back because I hear the staff making jokes about me while I am in the waiting room. This is no way to treat someone who is sick, clearly depressed and in need of help. It puts me in a difficult position where I feel there is no choice but to find another doctor to rely on. Plus, they cancelled my annual pelvic exam and I have a family history of uterine cancer. They cancelled my yearly physical a few months ago because they made up a story that I had Covid. They help me only about 50% of the time. Plus, they like to pass out antibiotics like candy without a diagnosis to prove any problem.