I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Dickey. He is capable, up to date, highly knowledgeable and has an excellent way of relating to patients.
However, the poor rating I submit is entirely due to his office. Over a period of months, there have been repeated problems. At one time, the Office Supervisor stepped in to remedy many complaints from various patients. The current shortage of personnel occurred long before the Omicron virus started circulating.
1). Telephone.
The problems begin with an inability to call the office - frequently no one answers. The supervisor eventually said that if I let the phone ring, there would be an opportunity to leave a voice message, and that even missed calls would be logged into the records.
Sadly, this is no longer true. The phone rings, and then often gives a busy signal.
2). Inability to process medical records.
In November I wrote a letter asking that Dr Dickey communicate a medical update to an insurance company that was considering my application.
Nothing happened for weeks.
I then called the office, and when I was able to reach someone, she had to look to find the letter. I then asked that my request be communicated directly to Dr. Dickey.
Several days later, I called and asked about the request. The reply was that the person who talked to Dr Dickey didn't know, or forgot what my request was - in spite of the fact that I told the office staff EXACTLY what it was, and that they had my letter to go along with it.
So, the office staff tried again to communicate my request to Dr Dickey - and the exact same thing occurred several days later (i.e. they didn't know what my request was).
On my THIRD call, the request - which I had carefully described over and over, as well as stated in writing - finally got through.
3). Poor follow up with medical tests.
I am due for a regular colonoscopy. I have no authorization information, or about with whom or where it is to be done. When I called the office, the person handling medical records rather indignantly told me that this notice had already been sent. I said that there had been no letter, or email (including spam box) to this effect. So she said that she would send the information again.
Nothing arrived for a couple of weeks.
I then went directly to Dr Dickey's office on North Ventura Road in Oxnard. The staff would not let me inside without an appointment, which is understandable considering the risks of COVID transmission. I then described my request to the staff member, who met me at the outside door. She said that the medical records staff person could address my request. However, when I asked where this person was, or would be in the office, she said that she didn't know and couldn't find out. And that was that.
The office staff should know that the website for Dignity Health - or is it Identity Health - is poorly designed and set up. ("Dignity" seems a rather unfortunate and inaccurate description of this medical practice.)
In summary, there has been one problem after the other, for months at a time. Dr Dickey does not deserve to have a staff that serves him so inadequacy.
For the staff themselves, they seem incapable of operating even on a middle school level. This is a serious matter for a profession that deals with human health and well-being.
I have reached the sad decision to seek a physician elsewhere, despite my high regard and respect for Dr. Dickey. And, I hope that this information eventually reaches him in person. read more
