Family Health Centers of San Diego — Local services in San Diego

This is going to be a long review, but I hope it helps people understand this entire practice a bit better. Not that us who go here have much of a choice, but you should know what to expect. Especially if you are using an HMO or a managed care plan and are trying to select your PCP. I have been to 3 of their clinics, seen 3 different primary cares and 2 specialists in their network of care. I will tell you up front, it's a dumpster fire. Not all of the people who work there are bad. But the care they provide, as providers and an institution, is pretty close to next to none. If you need a PCP, one to treat you, not just check the boxes to receive federal and state funds, good luck. I showed up to my first appointment to establish a primary care and figure out treatment for a bunch of broken bones I have all over my body (recent and largely untreated). Dr. Carol Hastanan did nothing at all. She stood across from me in the room and didn't appear to even be present. She made some referrals for my broken bones.. Didn't order any labs, which is odd for a primary care seeing a patient for the first time, having none on file. She was unconcerned with the numbness in various parts of my body. I would call her style the "not my problem" type of primary care. There is a specialist for that somewhere, just send them out. I left feeling really confused about my plan of care and wondering what it would take to make her curious. For primary care she asked nearly no questions at all The second attempt was marginally better, in that Dr. Sohini Das ordered some labs and did a decent physical exam. The labs were to rule out diabetes and thyroid issues, which, if she asked I would have told her I was tested for recently. The clinic manager did come in and ask how it went, to which I replied "maybe I need to lower my expectations." It's not like I am in my 40s, sustained multiple recent injuries, and have chronic medical conditions.. But sure, let's rule out diabetes and thyroid one more time. I would call her style the "I'm only interested in what I'm interested in" type of primary care. Third attempt was with Dr. Erin Walsh. After showing up early for my visit and waiting well past closing time, the MA asked if I wanted a tele-visit instead. I was livid, might have talked a little shit, and left.

Dr. Walsh did call me though, and she took the time to try and sort me out, asked the right questions, actually listened to the replies, and put together a reasonable plan. I didn't agree with it 100% but she is the doctor and she seemed to be the "Hey, I actually like practicing medicine" kind. Third time might have been the charm. Maybe? But she is fighting a losing battle trying to see patients in a clinic whose interests are not even remotely aligned.

The entire primary care model at FHCSD seems to be: get as many patients in, check the mandatory boxes, and get those bills out on time. My experience with their specialists went no better, possibly even worse. Since I have to cut it short I will post more another time but one of their doctors Dr. Diana Le told me avulsion fractures are not always caused by the tendon or ligament breaking a part of the bone off. Spoilers - That is 100% how they are caused. The ligament or tendon rips a small piece of the bone off. That's what they are - LITERALLY. If the tendon or ligament wasn't involved they would call the fracture something else. That alone wouldn't have been that bad, I guess, I mean it is terrifying to hear it come out of a BONE doctor's mouth, but she said it to diminish my symptoms.

If the care is already this bad before the all major funding cuts, what does that mean for us when the big ones hit? Federal funding gone. State budgets for community health, cut down by the billions year over year. And the providers manning the lines just don't care.

All I can hope for is that these institutions start listening to the providers who do, because it's about to start getting really bad out here, and without them I have no idea what we are...

FHCSD is incompetent and requires internal overhaul, staff will constantly cancel appointments on you last minute, rescheduling you months later and consistently drop the ball on Rx management. Of all the appointments I had, only a couple were as originally scheduled the rest were always changed last minute and rescheduled to future dates by the MD/NPs/Psych team. I had a few solid providers, shoutout to NP Beth Pettis. The rest completely disregarded me only for their scheduling team to call last minute in attempt to pick up the pieces.

Therapy for mental health here is completely pointless endeavor unless you're able to receive regular psychotherapy. They are completely understaffed/stretched thin and taking on new patients when they simply shouldn't be. Not only is it just a waste of resources for those that desperately need it, but they are letting people who are in crisis slip through the cracks.

If you are on mental health Rx management, make sure you are overly vigilant or they will 100% forget. I blame the directors/people at the top running this place however regardless of the lack of available providers it doesn't excuse the behavior. Don't be afraid to contact the Department of Managed Healthcare (DMHC) and file a grievance with the state, as a patient you have rights. For the sake of patient safety I would urge you to seek mental health help elsewhere.

The entire mental health system is broken but we can all do better collectively. How FHCSD receives taxpayer funding is beyond me, however it should be ceased by their deplorable incompetence.

To new/existing providers here or those looking to work here, I realize most of you will leave for bigger and better opportunities but I urge you to unionize or find some way to create internal change. Insurance providers are to blame as well, but the industry needs to stop allowing non-provider suits/ties at the top dictate outside their scope of legal duties on how you run the show in providing patient care.

To any prospective patients reading this, the reality is you are the only person that is going to help yourself. Too often did I have to chase down members of my care team to get scripts filled or get cancelled on last minute. The entire experience was extremely demoralizing and eventually I just stopped taking all Rx and went through extreme withdrawal. My desire to get help was completely thwarted by the failings of this clinic and providers who seemed to care less. I'm grateful I will never have to deal with this clinic ever again and grateful I found amazing care...

I go to City Heights and in the Past 2011 I went to Chase. Although there are problems especially with wait times during busy times and Parking issues All centers, they have.. City Heights been making improvements. Short on staff ..unexpected flu season,etc., is human oversight on the shift scheduler or admin dept., that even after careful planning can take a turn because boop happens! AVOID making appointments on days you are short on time...make sure you have an hour past your sheduled appt time to prevent anxiety of running out of waiting time...example making appt one hour before you have to pick the kids up from school...that would be YOUR fault for not allowing Ample time. Usually they are on time for most part. Some responsibility is the Patients, like speaking up...kindly go up to the front desk if youve been waiting 15 minutes and for heavens sake.. especially if you have been waiting 30 min or more. KINDLY tell the front desk clerk you have been waiting xx-minutes past your appointment time and ask how much longer you can expect to wait. They will explain the situation give you a wait estimate and attempt to get you seen at earliest time possible. They will try to accommodate you with the next available provider if possible to do so. AS FOR MEDICATION REFILLS...It has ALWAYS been their policy to never prescribe Renewals over the phone! You have to see the doctor...aka an appointment with the doctor/provider IS Necessary! I have been to Logan Heights few of their other clinics as well. I have run into some issues at a few of the clinics but 99% of the time the staff are awesome. Overall a good Low Cost Clinic. No Pharmacy. Not a hospital. But a Clinic with Nurse Practitioners Physician Assistants and...