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Dr. Karen Lin, MD
Neurology*
35+ years of experience
Dr. Karen Lin, MD is a neurologist in San Luis Obispo, CA and has over 35 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1989. She is affiliated with medical facilities such as French Hospital Medical Center and Adventist Health Sierra Vista. She is accepting new patients.
3.2 Star Rating
Based on 43 reviews 3.2 Star Rating (43 reviews)
Practice
1304 Ella St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Hospital Highlight
Dr. Lin is affiliated with French Hospital Medical Center San Luis Obispo, a highly rated hospital.
At a Glance
- Areas of ExpertiseDr. Lin specializes in the areas of Clinical Neurophysiology & Neurology. • See board certifications
- Practices at Top Hospital
- Hospital Satisfaction
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Dr. Lin's Reviews
Likelihood to recommend Dr. Lin
3.2
43 ratings, 22 with a written review
| 5 star | 44% | 44% |
| 4 star | 9% | 9% |
| 3 star | 5% | 5% |
| 2 star | 2% | 2% |
| 1 star | 40% | 40% |
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I just scheduled my first appointment. The front office manager was kind, professional and patient. It was obvious to me that they have made changes to the front office staff as I had read the reviews before calling so I am looking forward to my first appointment. Thank you Nora!
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mar 24, 2022
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She generally runs late. But on the plus side she does an excellent exam. She takes the time to explain things to do and is more than willing to listen to your concern and answers questions.
What went well
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
- Long wait times
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Peter Hubbard – Oct 11, 2021
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Dr lin is a knowledgeable ,thorough physician with a kind bedside manner which is difficult to find these days especially when dealing with medical challenges.
They fitted me in next day ,which is unheard of in this specialty
Wonderful kind staff who followed up and I truly felt this was one of the best
Physicians experiences I have had.
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Claire V – Oct 09, 2020
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Dr. Lin was rushed, did not seem receptive to questions, gave short answers, and had a terrible bedside manner. I saw her three times and I felt dismissed each time. She was the first specialist I saw, so I didn't really know that I could find better.
The office staff is also inefficient and I've had to follow up several times in order to get the documentation/records I needed to see another neurologist. I would not recommend this physician to anyone.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
- Office environment
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Appointment was rushed
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Aug 01, 2020
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The people in the front office change your appt time and don’t call and tell you, Sitting and waiting to see the Dr I could hear them on the phone and someone didn’t get their message and call back to confirm so they canceled the appointment, still waiting to even see Dr Lyn and it’s been 1 1/2 hours, such a joke. Some people need to work for a living and this is unacceptable
What went well
No results
What could be improved
- Office environment
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn't trust the provider's decisions
- Long wait times
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Feb 19, 2020
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Terrible office staff voice mail is on most of the day. My referring Dr couldn’t get through. Leaving a detailed message does not respond to call backs. I’m changing Drs.
What went well
- Office environment
What could be improved
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn't trust the provider's decisions
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Dec 11, 2019
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Didn't listen to anything told her. I had to tell her what a Lucid Dream was. I was told she has a degree in sleep medicine, and narcolepsy. The how is it she doesn't know what a Lucid Dream is
What went well
- Wait times
What could be improved
- Office environment
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn't trust the provider's decisions
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Sep 06, 2019
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Dr. Lin is very well qualified. She did her residency and a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. She is friendly and kind. I have seen her for 3 years. Her front desk is horrible: rude, confused and condescending.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
7 others found this helpful
Helpful
Aug 21, 2019
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Her office staff never calls back and consistently seems unable to keep track of basic paperwork in a timely manner. I find dealing with her office exasperating.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jul 30, 2019
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Professional
Thorough examination
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
- Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mar 16, 2018
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Dr Lin spent time getting to know my daughter, an adult with developmental disabilities. She always spends time with us at appointments. Not in a rush.
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jan in San Luis Obispo – Jan 08, 2018
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Wait times are always a bit lengthy. That being said, the doctor spends more than enough time during my appointments with her to make up for that. She broke down my condition into parts that were easy for me to understand and treat.
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Dec 21, 2017
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I have nerve damage from a hip replacement resulting in the partial loss of calf muscle function. After testing she would not give results saying our appointment was not for a consultation. Her assistant had to correct her procedure for doing one of the tests. She was not listening to what I was telling her. I asked her to show me on a chart what nerves she thought were being effected. She had no charts and said she didn't have time for an anatomy lesson. It goes on.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
- Office environment
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn't trust the provider's decisions
- Long wait times
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Sep 25, 2017
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Excellent doctor and amazing medical assistant. Both are extremely helpful. The medical assistant basically runs the office (and does it very well for a young girl), office manager is not very knowledgeable or friendly, does not do much and is always pretty grouchy. Receptionists have changed a bit over the years so no input there.
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Long wait times
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Pismo Beach, CA – Feb 16, 2017
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I like how she explained my disease to me, completed a comprehensive exam. Gave me detailed explanation on what to expect from the medication, the upside and side effects. Listened to my concerns, spent extra time with me going over my conditions and treatment plan. I never felt she rushed through my appointment or minimized my concerns. Sometimes she runs late with her appointments, that's because she doesn't rush patients out of her office..
What went well
- Office environment
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Peter Hubbard in San Luis Obispo, CA – Feb 15, 2017
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Very great doctor, very intelligent and I am extremely comfortable with her. I have been her patient for about 5 years now since she moved here and she treats me for my Multiple Sclerosis. Her medical assistant Samantha is so lovely and always so helpful. Wait time can be lengthy but the quality if care is worth every minute of it.
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
- Long wait times
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
San Luis Obispo – Feb 15, 2017
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I was comfortable with the Dr. I felt she listened. Had appt. for more test. was not notified of cancellation. Staff was very rude and after five phone calls (only ph. message ) and two days trying to get new appt. and cancelling a follow up apt with the Dr. to go over test, finally was able to speak to a person, was told they were still trying to find a time to see me, and had not gotten message to cancel appt. The Dr. needs new office staff.
What went well
- Wait times
What could be improved
- Office environment
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Staff wasn't friendly
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Atascadero, CA – Jan 05, 2017
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Dr. Lin does tend to fall behind quite a bit but the quality of the time she spends with patients is not a luxury you will find with any other provider. She actually takes time to process my chart and makes sure all of my medical history is laid out and assessed. I trust her with my body and I can tell that she will triple check (call other doctors for their opinion, call pharmaceutical reps et cetera) literally. she did all of that in one appointment. Shes booked out but well worth the wait.
What went well
- Office environment
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
- Long wait times
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
SLOCITIZEN in San Luis Obispo – Dec 13, 2016
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The staff is passive agreesive, as well flakey, bullying and threatening. They say one thing and change what they say. They told me I could make an appointment and then five minutes later told me I can't make an appointment. Believe me I would rather not make an appointment with them. Once I had an appointment and they told me they were going on vacation. I also told Karen, that I was doing very well with medical marijuana by not having many types of seizures anymore, she almost seemed offended.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn't trust the provider's decisions
- Long wait times
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
San Luis Obispo, CA – Dec 01, 2016
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Unprofessional, 3 hour wait times for the doctor in her office. Refuses to make a 5 min phone call to adjust medication or speak with us because she can't charge money for it. Her office receptionist is passive aggressive and rude. The visits are rushed. All in all i wouldn't recommend her to anyone.
What went well
- Office environment
What could be improved
- Difficult to schedule appointment
- Didn't listen or answer questions
- Didn't explain conditions well
- Staff wasn't friendly
- Appointment was rushed
- Didn't trust the provider's decisions
- Long wait times
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Joseph coates in Los Osos, CA – Oct 19, 2016
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Leave a review
How was your experience with Dr. Lin?Overall Patient Satisfaction
43responses
Likelihood of recommending Dr. Lin to family and friends is 3.1627908 out of 5
About Me
care philosophy
Specializing in the field of Neurology, Dr. Lin is prepared to diagnose and treat all types of neurological disorders resulting from abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord and other nerves throughout the body. Dr. Lin is trained to perform a variety...read moreNeurology
Clinical Neurophysiology
Sleep Medicine
*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.
Mayo Clinic-rochester
Fellowship HospitalMayo Clinic-rochester
Residency HospitalMayo Clin Grad School Of Medicine
Internship HospitalNorthwestern University Feinberg School Of Medicine
Medical School, 1989
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology®
-
Clinical Neurophysiology
-
Neurology
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.
Healthgrades receives board action history for physicians and physician assistants. The information displayed here is sourced from independent information providers, such as state board websites, and may not be the most up-to-date information. Healthgrades makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of any information provided here and assumes no responsibility or liability for such information.
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Locations
Practice
Office1304 Ella St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Affiliated Hospitals
- Recipient of 3
hospital awardsView all awardsOutstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2024, 2022)
Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions
View all patient feedbackHow patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.
91%Patients said they were given information about recovering at home7% higher than the national average
82%Patients said that nurses always listened to them and explained things well7% higher than the national average
- Recipient of 4
hospital awardsView all awardsAmerica's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2023)
Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality
View all patient feedbackHow patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.
89%Patients said they were given information about recovering at home5% higher than the national average
74%Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well2% lower than the national average
- Recipient of 2
hospital awardsView all awardsPatient Safety Excellence Award™ (2024)
Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications
View all patient feedbackHow patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.
85%Patients said they were given information about recovering at home1% higher than the national average
72%Patients said that nurses always listened to them and explained things well3% lower than the national average
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality