Dr. Margaret L Echt, MD

I have been a patient of Dr. Echt for the past 4 years. She addresses my concerns with professionalism and courtesy during my annual exams. She tries to connect with her patients in a personal way. I have never felt rushed through an appointment. From time to time Ive had to wait longer than I would have liked, but generally the office staff is fairly efficient. Dr. Echt recently moved her office location to Goleta and has adopted a new practice model so well see how that goes.

Always makes time to listen and advise in a comforting way. Very kind and knowledgeable. I would recommend.

Maybe she’s great if you’re skinny and fit, but she wouldn’t look at my chart, wouldn’t order any bloodwork for my thyroid as I requested, told me to eat a salad and go on a walk and stop blaming my thyroid for my health issues. I left in tears, and my husband almost went in to have words with her but I just wanted to leave.When I found a new gp, she ran the blood tests for me, and my thyroid was off the charts. Now that I’m getting proper care, I’ve lost weight and feel better than I have in years.

Dr. Echt came to my rescue Monday night for an emergency procedure. Not only was the surgery successful but the incisions small. She was warm, caring, empathetic and able to explain something so complex in terms I could comprehend - even under stressful circumstances. She made me so comfortable, I felt like she had been my Dr for years. She will be from now on.Dr Echt called my daughter immediately after the procedure and showed up early the next morning so that I didnt have to wait around all day. I couldnt be more grateful to have met Dr. Echt.

I had a fantastic experience with Dr. Echt and her office. She is kind, knowledgeable, is a great listener and has excellent candor- superior bedside manner. As did the nurse who attended to me. I truly felt that Dr. Echt cares about my health. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone and will certainly continue to see her in the future.

I have been seeing Dr. Echt for a few years now. I could not be more happy with the care I receive. She is warm, friendly and a good listener. She takes her time with you and does not rush through the appointment. I have referred her to a few friends and my daughter now sees her. We are both very happy with care we receive.

Dr. Echt delivered my first child almost 21 years ago in Simi Valley. She was the most compassionate and thorough doctor I have ever known. She had moved to Santa Barbara before I had my second child, or I would have absolutely used her again. I would highly recommend her.

We have started our journey to the first baby with Dr.Echt. She was super knowledgeable and accommodating. We had to move to FL to deliver the baby (work reasons) but she was definitely a great doc to start everything with! Thank you Margaret!!

I would not recommend this gynecologist to anyone. I had probably the worst experience ever in the office in regards to an IUD placement. I will go into further detail in regards to how the office staff didnt help at all and my situation could have turned into a medical emergency (meaning a trip to the ER). This had been my second time in the office. The first time was really great and the nurse practitioner was very empathetic, listened, and made me feel comfortable. The nurse practitioner is the only reason I am giving this place two stars (when it really deserves one).So for my second visit I was scheduled to get an IUD. The night before I took my prescribed my medication for the procedure. I awoke in the night with extreme burning down there, an frequent urge to go pee, extreme pain, and burning while urinating. I tried to go back to sleep but woke up at 6am with my symptoms even worse. I decided to wait two hours until the office opened up to call because I felt my symptoms were extremely abnormal for the medication I was prescribed. Firstly, I was prescribed to take a second pill the morning of the procedure to soften my uterus and I didnt know if I should take it because of the symptoms I was experiencing. So I wait and I call when they opened only to hear playback of the same message: call back when we are open...so I wait more and more and call at 9am. Same thing. The phones are not going through. My appointment was at 9:40. I drove to the office and immediately told the receptionist I was in a lot of pain and I think I had a UTI. I asked if the phones were on to which she replied she had just turned them on...what? Arent doctor office phones supposed to be turned on when they open up?? She instructed me to go pee in a cup so I did. Then I was taken back into the room...still in extreme pain. I told the medical aid (who didnt have her mask over her nose and was touching all over her face) that I really needed to speak with the NP because I think I have a UTI and didnt know if I was still able to get the IUD. I told her I was in extreme pain (the receptionist didnt convey that to anybody when I had told her btw).This lady starts asking me questions about when the last time I had sex was to which I responded I never have. She looked at me in disbelief and kept asking in different ways about my sexual history. I kept on saying I have never had sex. To me, that is completely inappropriate. After a patient tells you one thing and the medical aid keeps asking you the same question- its complete negligence. The medical aid had taken my vitals- to which I had a 100 degree fever, high blood pressure, high heart rate...all signs of infection. This person starts asking me about the last time I had my period and at that time I told her again that I just needed to speak with the nurse practitioner. So finally the nurse practitioner comes in and asks what going on. I tell her everything. She does an exam and goes over paperwork. She told me that the medical aid said my urine was normal but on the paperwork I had white blood cells (a sign of infection). This is another point in my experience where communication was not in favor of the patient and could result in serious harm.I was prescribed medication for a UTI and went on my way WITHOUT the IUD placement. I got better (thankfully). I wish the story ended there but it doesnt. I had missed school due to the UTI and needed to get a note. I called the office a few days after my UTI experience and asked to get a note...the receptionist very rudely said the doctor doesnt write notes for UTIs. I was in complete shock. Firstly I had never been in so much pain in my entire life with a UTI...and for a doctors office to not acknowledge that? Geez.About two weeks later I get a call from the office to which I answered and it was somebody confirming my appointment with Dr. Echt for tomorrow. I asked what it was for and she said a follow up for IUD placement. WHAT?! Did seriously no one document correctly what happened? I told the person that I never got an IUD.

Ive seen Dr. Echt twice now for OB care and I find her ability to adapt to patient needs quite lacking. If you are like me and consider yourself a partner with a doctor in making healthcare decisions, Dr. Echt is NOT for you. Without knowing my medical history, Dr. Echt assumed I had gestational diabetes in my previous pregnancy and told me to take daily Asprin to prevent preeclampsia in this pregnancy... Probably because Im overweight. But Ive never had high blood pressure. Asprin has serious risks and should NOT be taken while pregnant unless there is a history of hypertension. She did NOT discuss this with me at all... just assumed.

Dr. Echt is really great.... if you can ever see her. The office staff never answers the phone and when they do, they tell you the nearest appointment is MONTHS away. They also do not have a voicemail for when they are not answering phones. I have switched doctors because it was going to take 4 months to get in when I told them I was having problems and an unusual cycle.

Very knowledgable, professional. She is also friendly and personable, puts me at ease. I would recommend her to my friends.

She has always been a great listener and very helpful doctor with all my woman issues! Thank you!

Cold and dismissive...