Dr. Catherine Cansino, MD

TL;DR: I came in pregnant and in severe pain seeking help, and left feeling dismissed, unheard, and without the compassion I expected from a healthcare provider. I normally do not do this but if I could leave zero stars, I would. I am currently pregnant and sought care for severe sciatica pain. I also have an autoimmune disease and have worked with many specialists and healthcare professionals over the years, often receiving differing opinions. Never once have I experienced the level of dismissal and lack of compassion that I experienced with Dr. Cansino. I came to the appointment in significant pain and left feeling unheard and invalidated. What was most upsetting was that at no point did I feel that Dr. Cansino genuinely cared about how I was feeling or the amount of pain I was experiencing. Rather than feeling supported, I felt like I had to defend and minimize my symptoms. I was especially uncomfortable with the discussion surrounding the pain scale. In explaining what a “10 out… of 10” pain level meant, Dr. Cansino used the example of being “hit by a bus with your guts all over the floor.” That description was shocking and caused me to minimize my pain rather than answer honestly. No patient should feel intimidated or made uncomfortable when trying to communicate their symptoms. I understand that providers may have different opinions on treatment, but empathy and bedside manner matter. As someone with a chronic autoimmune condition, I have spent years working with healthcare professionals and navigating varying opinions, and I have never experienced this level of dismissal or lack of consideration for a patient’s pain. As a pregnant patient seeking help, I expected to be listened to and treated with compassion. Instead, I left feeling dismissed, discouraged, and hesitant to seek care. I hope this feedback encourages a more empathetic and patient-centered approach so that other patients do not leave feeling the way I did.