Dr. Walter William Strauser, MD

I was crushed in an accident and started treating with Dr Strauser while in sharps rehab and continued treating with him after. He has always helped me get the treatment that I needed. He was very helpful in listening and prescribing medications and refering me to specialists for my different conditions. Always kind, proffessional and courteous. I will suffer from pain and problems for the rest of my life and have learned to just deal with it instead of relying on medications. If I ever need to get help for my problems Dr Strauser is the first person I would call if I'm in San Diego. His staff was very professional and helpfull as well.

As a medical professional myself, highly recommend. Extremely competent, compassionate, and professional. Always print and courteous. One of the best doctors I know.

Initially I was impressed by Dr. Strauser after my first appointment with him because he appeared encouragingly thorough in listening to my various pain conditions - but I was wrong to feel so. He became, if I were to politely say it, extremely unsympathetic a few visits in. He made it obvious that he doubted my pain or my various medical conditions (diagnosed and documented by years of MRIs, CTs, nerve mapping, and other tests). First point of contention: I thought I had had all my medical records transferred to the Sharp database, but apparently they hadn't been uploaded into the system (likely due to a technical glitch and that I can overlook). Any doctor within the Sharp network has access to all their patient's medical records, and I discovered that Dr. Strauser, after two months of having seen me, hadn't bothered to look for my previous medical reports proving my condition. Second point of contention: During our follow up visit he never asked me how I was feeling. At all. I… tried to explain, but he cut me off. He instead looked in disbelief at my answers to a customary paper I had to fill out regarding my suffering and functioning due to my pain. Third point of contention: Dr. Strauser only went over my current list of medication, and then tried to kick me out. I finally piped in insisting that I needed further reevaluation and medical treatment, and he essentially dismissed any further pain treatment as unnecessary, or that he wouldn't help. He didn't believe me and I felt as though he judged me as someone wanting to get high rather than as someone in serious pain. To sum it up: He was curt, cold, and dismissive of my suffering. Due to his disbelief and overall treatment of me I ended up crying thinking that I would have to endure this horrible pain for the rest of my life. Through the tears I asked to schedule an appointment in two weeks so he could more closely monitor my condition, and he, or rather the poor sweet receptionist who had to relay it to me, insisted two months was good enough.

I have seen Dr. Strauser now for over five years in a pain management program. Dr. Strauser is not one of the doctors with a God complex. He listens to you. Over the years there has been several issues with other mitigating factors i.e. family deaths, other surgeries I have never been looked down upon. If you want someone who cares and listens, you'll not find anyone better. And his staff has always been great too! The reason for this review now is with the new healthcare plan, companies are wanting to see one doctor with sort of control. I have noticed how much extra Dr. Strauser has taken on with zero complaints.

Dr. Struser is deeply committed to giving releif to patients with chronic pain. He is kind, comapassionate and always looking to heal the condition rather than treat the symptons. I have so much respect for this man and feel extremely fortunate that he is my doctor.