Dr. Michael Chang, DO

Worst

Dr. Chang and his assistant, Sarah, are always kind, helpful, and professional. Dr Chang always takes the time to listen.

Dr. Chang is friendly but rushes and does NOT explain much prior to procedure. I had an epidural shot done in my lower back today. I was told that a med was going to be given for sedation so I could relax and I not be fully aware of what was going on. I repeatedly mention that the med WAS NOT working for me because I was NOT relaxed and I WAS aware of EVERYTHING GOING ON, plus I WAS IN PAIN This would have been a perfect time to give MORE sedation to help me with the procedure. I mentioned this concern OUT LOUD TWICE BUT NO ONE LISTENED! I was screaming in pain while Dr. Chang told me not to move since procedure was “ALMOST” done. I DON’T CARE if it’s almost done, I was IN PAIN! Screaming and afraid of moving…that’s TERRIBLE. He should have STOP and ask the nurse to give more MEDICATION but that never happened. LISTENING to the patient is KEY and HE is forgetting this BASIC STEP. I’m very disappointed, I thought my insurance was bad but this worker’s comp service is way worse, sucks!

I've nothing but praise for Dr. Michael Chang's knowledge, and ability to prescribe the right remedy for pain I have suffered in my lumbar region plus numbness in right leg and foot and on one occasion, in the cervical area. He knew when an epidural was the correct way to proceed and also the right timing in recommending physical therapy in lessening and/or eliminating the pain. I highly recommend this very fine doctor.

Short answer: Rushes appointments. Doesn’t follow up with patients. Doesn’t explain procedures. Doesn’t explain diagnosis well. Made an error during a spinal injection procedure. Office staff is friendly but has made multiple errors causing great delay in my care. Some details: He seems kind to his staff, chats with them about his life but treats patients like cattle. He is dismissive. He speaks over his patients to his staff instead of talking to patients about plan of care. Twice he has abruptly left the room to ‘check on something’ and not come back. He was distractedly chatting with staff during a back procedure and made an error causing me pain. He apologized but was mostly flippant about the whole thing. I’m still in pain but getting ahold of him to discuss my next steps is daunting.

Dr. Chang barely spent 10 minutes talking to me over the course of 3 appointments with him. He never did a physical exam. He was seeing several patients per hour and was very rushed. He joked about my pain during a procedure. He missed major problems with my hip and shoulder because he stopped looking when the first MRI he ordered didn’t explain the pain I’ve had for 10 years. I switched to a new doctor who immediately ordered more imaging and found the sources of my pain.

I had an appointment with Dr Chang in Brentwood Dec. 9. At that appt it was determined that an approval would be sought for Dr Chang to perform a procedure On Dec 30 I received notification from my insurance company that the procedure had been approved. I was (and have never been) contacted by Dr Chang about this. On Jan 4 I called office 3 times. [How long will they continue to use COVID-19 as an excuse for poor customer telephone response?] I finally got in touch with someone how said that this procedure was not on Dr Chang’s chart, so she couldn’t schedule it. She said she would get a message to Dr Chang. It is Jan 10, I have not heard from Dr Chang. I called today, person answering knew nothing about anything. She said she would get a message to Dr Chang. I am not holding my breath. I have had it with Dr Chang and Golden State Ortho’s very poor patient service.

Dr. Chang is personable, great knowledge and professional! He truly is the best!!!!!!

Dr Chang is excellent. He was able to move quickly to set me up with diagnostics and procedures to help manage my pain. His staff is very efficient and caring.

I have been seeing Dr Chang for a few years and he has helped me immensely. And I like him very much.

Dr. Chang is a very competent, responsible and attentive physician who has seen me for my lower back pain and sciatica. He is also very skillful on pain management treatment.

Not thrilled with the total lack of follow-up. Dr. has not provided any information for me to take positive preventative measures for back pain; and, did not feel it necessary to see me for a 2-week follow-up after spinal injection, as required by surgical unit personnel. It's now going to take me 7-10 days (after I pay him) to finally get my MRI and other medical information from his office so I can give it to my NEW doctor!