UCSF – Family Medicine Center Lakeshore

I have gone there three separate times with the same horrible experience!!!
They ask you to arrive early but make you wait a minimum of 45 minutes before you enter an examination room. When you finally get to the exam room, you’re waiting another hour before you are seen!!!
Then the damn doctor rushes through your visit as if she doesn’t have time for you!!!
PLEASE, if anyone actually reads these comments, do something about it!
I love UCSF but their clinics suck balls!!!
Dear management, please do your job and address this issue! I’m not the only one complaining about this problem!!!

This center has the worst staff and medical professionals who have absolutely no regard for your health or time. I had an annual physical scheduled with Ben Smith, MD at 1:05 pm. I was walking from the train station and was going to be 5 mins late so I called the center as a courtesy to inform them. They told me that was fine. I arrived at 1:08 pm and had to wait 5 mins to see a receptionist. When I was checked in, the receptionist told me that Doctor refused to see me and that he had another patient with him. How is that possible when he was scheduled to see me? After I complained for 5 mins, I spoke to the front desk supervisor who put me in touch with the Administrator, Joanna Laffey, MPH. Joanna was unsympathetic to my situation, essentially told me that I was 14 mins late (even though I was only 3 mins late) and then asked me to leave the facility. So here I am losing ½ day’s work, unable to see my doctor by year end (for my annual physical) and offered no assistance of empathy from the people who are in charge of my health. Pls see stay away — they don’t value their patients, and have no bedside manner. There are too many other options in this city for this type of service

I took my mom to her appointment for follow up after breathing test.
Well, we were just few min late for her appointment, few min late! And we were told we have to reschedule!!! For 2 min late???
They said they have 5 min grace period and after 5 min they cancel appointment.
I told them it will be helpful if I was told that if late more than 5 min we need to reschedule. Then another clerk who was not even helping us tells us that «well, it’s been that way for a while now».
Well, my mother is fairly new to the practice, and this was my first time making appointment for her, and they did not tell me there was 5 min grace period then how do all the new patients supposed to know??? The front desk person (particularly the one older dark blond receptionist) was so rude and not helpful.
The younger receptionist who helped us was still had smile on her face and bit more apologetic though…

Overall, excellent and professional healthcare providers. After seeing both my last PCP 4years ago and a urgent care doctor within this university system a few months ago, I was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming and professional experiences I had today. I am a new patient at this facility.
From the moment I walked through the doors, a medical assistant (employee of the month) was welcoming and started my paperwork right away. My doctor (Dr.G) not only listened and read the information I brought to her of my past medical history and concerns, but she shook my hand, looked in my eyes as she spoke to me, and listened to me. She was so personable, thorough, and prioritized my next steps after listening to me. Then, Fatima (a student of phlebotomy), knowing I am squeamish about needles and blood, helped me relax and successfully located my vein on the first try. Needless to say, I am sincerely impressed with the staff at this center.
As a woman of color and size, healthcare professionals often ignore me, come off as being aloof or detached, and tend to diagnose what they see vs what they hear. I did not have any of these negative experiences today and it makes all the difference. Thank you all for a great experience today. I hope they will continue to be my healthcare providers for a very long time.

They take care of me here. Great doctor and even better staff. Easy b scheduling of appointments and great care. Get hooked up with UCSF they treat patients really well here. This is my advice for everyone. Get out of Kaiser and mills peninsula. Cone here and get treated the way that you deserve. Don’t be shy just apply.

I have been using UCSF Lakeshore for several years now, and they are fabulous. I am not sure why other folks gave some poor reviews, but I am consistently impressed by their nurses, doctors, and support staff. They are all kind, quick, patient (which I definitely put to the test!) and thorough. UCSF’s electronic system for email communication with your doc and getting referrals is great.
I was initially not happy about having to leave my beloved doc at CPMC, but am now delighted!

I can’t believe they got questionable reviews on here.
They have been amazing and care quite a bit about their patients.
I have been able to get in on the same day sometimes and if not, they have actually scheduled an appointment for me at the acute care clinic, rather than just sending me away.
Dr GayleWyrick is wonderful and the nurse practitioner, Martha, is top notch.
Ignore the bad reviews. They are stellar.

OK. I too was scared by the poor reviews. Even so, we enrolled the family as we wanted to be in the UCSF network and it was convenient. I am happy to write after six months as patients that this clinic is awesome. They’ve obviously taken some of the critique to heart and fixed some of the stuff people were upset about which is to their credit. Our family of four loves our doctor, nurses and I have to mention that the front desk is friendly, helpful and efficient. I have very high standards for customer service and this place has met and exceeded them. Even the billing department there is so kind and helps smooth out any confusion or errors that naturally will tend to occasionally come up in such a big system. I have no complaints and only praise for the people who work here. The on line communication works exactly as it is supposed to and it is very easy getting appointments to specialist or other areas in the UCSF system as there is a great deal of cooperative care and referrals from the clinic. I have been extremely happy with every doctor and appointment I’ve had within the UCSF system. The second floor shopping center location of this particular clinic was a little different at first but I’ve come to appreciate the convenience there too in having a post office, bank, pet store, coffee shop and AAA all within a few steps.

While the wait to get a new client appointment is very long. Once you get into the clinic the care is very good. I have had very short wait times at the center and they have provided same day appointment for my daughter. The receptionists are also super friendly.

I don’t understand the poor reviews. I have never had a bad experience at this facility. I love, love love all things UCSF. All the Dr. s are fantastic. One the one occasion where I did not click with the Dr. they provided me with another with no problem at all. It never takes a month to get an appointment there, NEVER!
Only one drawback and it is the 20 before appointment arrival. I know I have waited for them far longer than they have ever waited for me. They are sticklers about this policy. But I chalk it up to emergency visits and because some Dr. decided to take a 3hr lunch. So I believe they will do the same for me.

Don’t come here– avoid it at all costs! It takes a month or two to get an appointment. After getting an appointment, there is a long wait (around 45 minutes) to see the doctor. The doctor I saw was not very experienced and thorough in helping me with my concerns, but just handed me a piece of paper to give me different options for treatment.
I’ll be going to another clinic in the future…

Wow. The reviews of Lakeshore are insane so I wanted to step in and add some balance.
In summary, this is what it comes down to: The UCSF doctors at Lakeshore are generally fantastic. UCSF is, after all, one of the top 10 medical schools in the country. To get into the program and become a UCSF doctor, you’ve got to be top tier and I’ve always felt comfortable with the quality of the doctors that I’ve met here — more than anywhere else in the city, to be sure. On the flip side, the UCSF system is a bona-​fide nightmare. All the screw-​ups and difficulties that are listed here, I have also encountered, and then some.
My advise is this: If you’ve got a routine and simple medical problem, then you’d be best served to go elsewhere for primary care. But, if you’ve got a potentially complex situation that needs diagnosis, and that might also involve referrals to specialists, then there is nobody else I’ve found in San Francisco who I’d trust more to evaluate such a condition than the doctors at UCSF, and of course, for referrals, they refer directly within the UCSF system, which is as messed up organizationally as the Lakeshore clinic, but, which also has some of the best doctors in the country. Also, the Lakeshore clinic has lots of facilities, so they can do in the same place at the same time, a lot of basic procedures (including shots or blood tests) that with other doctors would require going to a separate lab facility. The facility itself, which others have described in various bad ways, to me seems very basic, but clean and proper. Sure, it’s not fun to be there, but this is a medical facility, not an entertainment venue. It feels clean and functional and professional to me, and when I am having medical care, that’s about all I really need — just do what you’re there to do, then leave. If I want to be chilling in luxury, then I’ll book a spa for that purpose.

To bad the lowest u could give them is 1 star even thought they dont deserve one.
The worst ucsf medical center. Dont ever go their

I was patient here for 4 years until today!!! The turn around at this office is crazy. The staff is always changing and the people here are so rude! Today was the last straw, I was stuck in traffic and called the office to let them know I was on my way… Check in is 20 minutes before your appointment, I get that… I have no control over traffic though and I got there in time for my appointment and they wouldn’t see me because I wasn’t on time to check in 20 minutes before my scheduled appointment! Ugh… I’ve been hung up in twice and the NP didn’t help any. She came out to tell me they couldn’t clean my ears because I was late! Mind you, I was late checking in! Oh, and when the NP came out to see if my dr. (Dr.Bui) would be available to squeeze me in, she said the dr was running late from herother patient… So you couldn’t put me in a room so she could see me? She was still with the patient that was scheduled before me!!! Next appointment wasn’t for another week… So tired of giving this place my money for such poor service. They should tell you to come in 40 minutes before so you’re not late checkin in… I would never recommend this office to anyone!

People go to the doctors for help but there is no help to be found here at Lakeshore. This has been the worst doctors office that I have ever been to! I started going here a few months ago. They keep forgetting about important procedures and prescribed me something I didn’t even need. My doctor seems rushed and overstretched (Dr. Panchal) and while the ladies at the front seem nice they always seem to be way too busy. I got lost in the shuffle for about 30 mins today. I was patiently waiting to get my blood drawn and 30 mins later found out my paperwork didn’t even make it into the queue to be called. I ended up waiting for an hour to get one tube of blood drawn. The other reviews are totally right, there is usually a wait but today was above and beyond what is acceptable. Also, I never got an apology for the mix-​up.
I know that the healthcare system doesn’t really value customer service but my experience here has been hands down the worst ever. I am looking to switch doctors because of the lack of info I get from my doctor and due to the confusion that seems to happen in the office. I just don’t have the kind of time needed for this place (other patients are mostly stay at home moms and older people with lots of time to spare). On the bright note, there is one front desk lady (with blond hair) that is a total sweetheart. She seems to love her job and really went out of her way to take care of the little kids in the waiting area.

My previous post about this was taken down by Unilocal at the request of UCSF, citing my posting of personal information. So I’ve edited out the personal information and am trying again:
I was referred to Dr. S. at the UCSF Family Medicine Center at Lakeshore in San Francisco by one of her patients.
On March 29^th I was given an appointment to see Dr. S. on May 15^th. Soon afterwards, I received a new patient information form which I filled out, along with a release form to obtain prior medical records, and sent to the clinic ahead of my scheduled appointment time.
On May 14^th, I got a phone call from the clinic, asking that I arrive a half-​hour earlier than the appointment time to fill out paperwork. Unfortunately, the traffic the following day was terrible, so that instead of the requested 30 minutes early I arrived just 15 minutes ahead of my appointment time. To my shock, the receptionist told me that I COULD NOT see the doctor because I came too late! The clinic manager confirmed that the doctor would not see me, despite my debilitating health conditions: hypertension, asthma, diabetes.
The next available appointment — not even with the same doctor — was not until more than a month later: ⁶⁄₁₉. Meanwhile, I ran out of my medications, which I had hoped to have refilled that day.
I was stunned and appalled by the fact that a medical office can treat patients this way, and sent an e-​mail to Dr. S. the following day (May 16^th). On May 17^th, I received a phone call at work at 2:30 p.m. from the clinic receptionist stating that a nurse practitioner could see me at 3:00 pm that day, leaving me just 30 minutes (on Friday afternoon!) to reach the clinic. Needless to say, I could not leave my work on such short notice.
I asked the receptionist to give a message to the Administrative Director to call me, and did receive a call from this person at 5:00pm. She confirmed the clinic policy and compared my situation with the policy of an AIRPORT, where people cannot fly if they are late for the plane. This is a completely absurd comparison. To reiterate, I came 15 minutes EARLIER than my scheduled appointment time, and all my medical history (and a release form to obtain prior medical records from Kaiser) had been at the clinic for two weeks.
It is hard to describe how I feel after waiting for my doctor appointment for almost two months. I am amazed that this appears to be an acceptable policy for any medical facility. When I wrote to the UCSF medical practice with my concerns, I received back a letter that included the expected pablum about welcoming feedback. But the centerpiece of the letter was this line, «We would be happy to continue to see you in follow-​up in our UCSF Family Medicine Center at Lakeshore; although moving forward the clinic will need your cooperation with the clinic policies that are in place.» This was no apology, just a handslap and a warning.
I was a member of Kaiser for thirty years, and had only good experiences. This experience has been shocking and sobering. All medical practices are not created alike.

The Lakeshore Family Medical is a good family medicine center. I have been going about one year now and all of my appointments were on time! UCSF has cleaned up and is leading the edge on on time appointments! Being on time and a well run front office is really important to me. My time i valuable too! I have seen three Doctors and they were all good and able to help me resolve my issue. I like that the practice is large and that it has many doctors, so if something comes up they have been able to fit me in to see someone. I also like the USCF My chart which allows you to email your Doctors and they get back to you in a day, if not sooner. The only downside is that it is hard to see your selected doctor without scheduling far in advance, thus the 4 stars.
Otherwise it’s a good option at a handy local shopping center.

I have been going to this practice for 7 years now. I grew up in a military family, and consequently moved around a whole lot. Therefore, as an adult, it was really important for me to be able to develop a good relationship with a primary care physician and practice where I knew I would be listened to, cared for, and have my family well taken care of.
I have had 2 children while being seen with this practice, and really wanted my kids to have the experience of having a family doctor that they grew up with, whom they knew and trusted, etc. Apparently I was living in la-​la land.
I have read all of the other reviews here, and concur with them on a great many things. With the exception of 1 or 2 of them, and there have been many different faces over the years, the front office staff are almost completely inefficient and incompetent. I cannot even begin to count the amount of times, where I had to take matters of scheduling, finding correct phone numbers and names of other UCSF departments, billing and even giving and re-​giving my personal information over and over and over again to the same front desk person. They have been not only incompetent, but rude and even embarrassed me in front of my children.
There have been a few times when I have actually fallen asleep in my chair while waiting in rooms to be seen by the doctor, it has taken them so long.
I am a reasonably intelligent person, and very patient and accommodating, preferring to give people the benefit of the doubt, but enough is enough.
I very recently lost a pregnancy, and except for the doctor, was treated with incompetence, insensitivity, and very little respect by the office staff.
Next year when it’s time to renew our medical, we’re switching to Kaiser, or CPMC and in the meantime, we’re looking for a new UCSF practice/​doctor.
BTW, I’m so concerned for other people that might choose this practice, that I’ll be posting this on Facebook, Googleplus, and tweeting about it.

I have about 20 years of experience with this group. The single best thing about the practice is Dr. Katherine Strelkoff (I think she also has a hyphenated married name). She’s extremely knowledgable and cares a ton. She can also handle all types of ObGyn issues so no need for referrals and extra appointments. Gina the nurse is also fantastic and can handle certain types of visits herself short notice if the MD’s are all booked up. The parking at this location is the next best thing. Wide open outdoor mall parking that allows you to run other errands in the same trip. Also, unlike UCSF on Parnassus, they can send a tech into the exam room to take blood or you can give a urine sample right in their bathroom there, rather than having to treck to another address.
The HUGE GIANT problem is their scheduling practices. This has gotten worse over years. They’re understaffed and then overbook patients to the point that the doctors and techs can’t possibly keep up, and everything starts to run late immediately. Even if you schedule early in the day as one of the first appointments, you might wait 10 – 20 minutes in line just to check in. You might wait an hour past your appointment time in the reception area (3 separate times I actually gave up & left after an hour, and rescheduled). Then you might wait 30 minutes in the exam room after the nurse takes your vitals. After your visit with the physician, if you do need blood taken you might wait another 30 minutes for the tech to come in and get to work.
God forbid you have small children with you during all this. I’ve seen parents screaming at the desk receptionists about the frustrations and the tantrums that are inevitable.
I love most all of the doctors here, and it breaks my heart, but I’m looking for a new practice and have already tried one new GP. She’s not nearly as good, not even close, but I finally had to ask myself when making appointments: DO I HAVE 4 HOURS TO SPARE? Unfortunately for me the answer is NO.

I’ve been a patient here for over 3 years and they’ve been great. My wife and I and now our little baby boy all go here. The doctors have always been caring and patient with us and have always taken extra time to answer all our questions and make sure we understand everything.
They also have a great service to call in and talk to a nurse if a question comes up between appointments. The nurses are phenomenal and *almost* always are exactly right with their advice. Today, I had an especially great experience: I called in with a rather odd situation. The nurse gave me an answer, and I thought that was the end of the matter, but then I got a call later from a doctor at the practice. Apparently, the nurse got some of the details wrong in her answer (understandable since it was a strange question I had). The doctors apparently review all the calls and in this case the doctor caught the small error the nurse made and called me to correct it. All this happened without me having to step away from my desk at work!
I’ve recommended Lakeshore to friends a few times (and they’ve all been happy with it too), and you can be sure that I’m going to keep recommending them now!