Sadly...my review is negative for Dr. Beckerman. I will preface this with saying that I had high…read morehopes for a solid relationship with my new pediatrician and it wasn't to be.
In a nutshell, Dr. Beckerman, while having a positive and upbeat manner, completely missed a diagnosis of strep throat in my daughter. I went in on a Monday morning, my daughter had had a temperature of 101-103 for 3 days and coughing and a sore throat. He told me she was "basically fine" and that whatever she had, it was a virus and it would "play itself out". I was surprised by this and told him I was sure there had to be something, as my daughter was wanting long naps and telling me it hurt when she swallowed, etc. He laughed it off, gave me mini-lecture on viruses and told me that she could go back to school the next day if she had no fever.
I thought, well, hell, he's the doctor....ok.
So we went home and her fever did go away and so I sent her to school the next day, even though she still had a sore throat...but it's the second week of school and she was dying to go back. On Tuesday, I called the doctor again and spoke to his nurse that assured me, that it was most likely still a virus and that if she still had a fever or sore throat by Friday, to give them a call. I was dubious, but hello, they are the professionals, right? By Wednesday, the sore throat persisted and she was starting to cry when she was swallowing...and she'd developed hives. Whoa...
Took her to immediate care, where they were baffled as to how Dr. Beckerman had missed the redness of the throat and swollen glands. I mentioned that he didn't look at her throat and they shook their heads and suggested we talk to him about her having strep now.
I get that doctors aren't God, of course not! But...Dr. Beckerman rushed through the appointment, didn't really listen to what a mother was trying to say...we are the best advocates for our children, and we know them best. He ignored my suggestions and essentially told me that he knew better.
But he didn't. And my daughter was sick for two extra days because he was WRONG. And she exposed all the kids in her class and on the bus and guess what? Now *I* have strep and my husband will probably be next. Frustrating
When I called him to talk about this, I thought I'd get empathy and consideration for what happened. Nope. Dr. Beckerman was defensive and talked over my comments. Even went as far as to say that I must not have said anything about her having a sore throat. I was agape at his rude tone and the fact that not once did he ask how she was and if she had improved. No...it was all about him and his repuation. Very sad. I told him that I fgured that we'd go elsewhere and he let me know that he was "fine with that" and hung up. Nice and gee, very professsional.
We'll be on the hunt for a new pediatrician...Dr. Beckerman might be more suited to older kids, but I know that he won't be getting our business or the business of anyone who asks my opinion on finding a new pediatrician.