Doctor Rao is the worst doctor in thunder bay...… not only is she rude, she is super judgmental and half of the time doesn't even know what she's talking about, She should retire already and head back to India. For anyone who has her I am sure they can agree. She lacks empathy and many other traits that doctors should have. Do better Pramila Rao …

Submitted Feb. 2, 2024

My wife and I are finally done with Rao. We’ve been patients of her for decades and we believe our health has suffered because of her strictly transactional approach. Yes she is abrupt and rude which is annoying but her lack of preparation and follow up from visits and test is incompetence. My wife’s last visit was the last straw; we will never darken her door again. We both got COVID in May after avoiding it successfully for 3 years and my wife has had long COVID after including hypertension. She has a stressful job which led to a crisis landing her in the hospital with dangerously high blood pressure. She went to the clinic first and the nurse practitioner there sent her to emerge where a resident that looked 15 could find no explanation and gave her a prescription. When she had a follow-up eventually with Rao she didn’t listen, said a lot of people have stressful jobs and when it was pointed out she recently had COVID Rao barked that that would have been good to know— she didn’t read the file!
Rao is apparently certified as a pain management specialist but my wife’s experience negates any competence; she has chronic pain from a back injury when we were hit by a drunk drive going on 25 years ago. Rao had her on OxyContin and she took them only at night to sleep, living with back pain most of the day because she didn’t like the buzz. Anyway, about a year ago she had enough of Rao’s controlling and unsympathetic approach, booking appointments only to renew prescriptions, slowly counting every day on the calendar to ensure not one extra pill was dispensed and getting her OHIP fee for the visit; not asking one question about how she is doing etc. just a paper pusher and fee collector. Any trip out of town was a nightmare because Rao would not trust her with extra pills without an office visit to renew.
So, she started to go to walk in clinics and found a wonderful doctor from Iran that was very knowledgeable and empathetic; they tried alternatives to opioids and found a combo of an MS med and anti inflammatory that worked pretty well. So she then weaned herself COLD TURKEY off oxys. It was hell for ten days, like Trainspotting.
She has been back to Rao since and NOT ONCE has Rao asked about her back pain and why she is no longer getting oxy scripts for her after DECADES of use. Strictly transactional- walk in the door, tell me your problem, just one or two and speak up, be quick, I’ll write a Px or refer you to a specialist then out you go.. Next!
My own story is one that is less on Rao and more on my own mental health and addition struggles whereby I haven’t taken care of my health for years and now have hypertension and pre diabetes. So that’s on me but Rao is strictly transactional- no follow-up, no concern.
All this to say it is time for Rao to RETIRE and make room for young docs that are better trained and actually give a damn

Submitted Sept. 17, 2023

My wife and I have been patients for many years and we dread having to deal with her. She is rude, judgemental and lazy. My wife goes to walk in clinics rather than deal with her. She should retire already and make room for young professionals. She clearly milks the system for transaction fees over orient health.

Submitted Feb. 9, 2023

Dr Rao is never around when needed and takes forever to fulfil obligations.

Submitted Jan. 6, 2023

This is best clinic in town and dr Rao is amazing physician, attentive, listens, competent, knowledgeable and compassionate.

Submitted Jan. 2, 2023

This lady is fabulous physician with much caring and compassion. We need more physicians like her in this world.

Submitted April 4, 2022

I have been a patient of hers for many year and I find her difficult to work with. I honestly feel it is a personality difference. Her knowledge probably should be marked higher as she is willing to research if she does not know the answer, however she had to google the medical name of Champix and it took her a really long time. I was surprised as it is a commonly prescribed drug. Because I do not respond to abrupt people well, I tend to not want to discuss things with her, or I forget even if I have it written down. Sometimes it takes awhile for her to come to the appointment, but that is normal. She is busy. I am not a fan, but she is probably not fond of me wither. Some people work well together and others do not.

Submitted July 22, 2021

I’ve been seeing Dr Rao for many many years. I found her to be helpful, knowledgeable and professional.

Submitted May 2, 2021

She is my current doctor and I am trying to find a new one asap. Dr. Rao is extremely rude and the last time I seen her I basically got a lecture on how I was wasting her time because she couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I absolutely dread when I get sick and have to see her. She is constantly late and it takes so long between appts. to see her that I had a few things I needed to see her about and she got mad and said I can only tell her 1 problem per appt. 🤷 Her bedside manner absolutely sucks and I try to book with her physicians assistant instead of her. 👎

Submitted April 30, 2020

I have been seeing Dr. Rao for years - ever since she took over from Dr. Chung. I think the world of Dr. Rao. She has been a very caring and knowledgable doctor. I cringe reading the negative reviews because this just isn’t the Dr. Rao I know. She is very direct and no nonsense which I really respect but perhaps that offends some. She always takes the time needed for my appointments. Any times that she has been running late, I do not take exception to because she has taken more time with a patient who must need it just as she will take extra time with me when necessary. I do come to medical appointments prepared with a list if needed and that way I don’t forget and everything is addressed. My only concern is that she will be retiring some day. Her Physician Assistant is wonderful too and the staff are all very courteous.

Submitted Feb. 25, 2019