Dr. Bederman was everything I would expect from a doctor, but someone is impossible to find these days. He was kind, authentic, curious, informative, collaborative, patient, clear, and in this first encounter with him he did listened to me about my concerns before scouring through my long history and chart—this was pleasantly surprising because a lot of doctors want to be “efficient” so they find ways to know more before they ever look the patient in the eye and listen to how the patient feels, what the patient knows, and who the patient is— maybe being more efficient, but rendering them hopelessly ineffective. The chart isn’t always complete or accurate, so when they do this they are walking Into the initial encounter having already (whether consciously or not) decided they know what is going on or what course of action to take, or worse, have developed bias before ever laying eyes on a patient. Dr. Bederman did not do that. He thought outside the box, was creative in his thinking and approach to issues that many doctors have either been stumped by or dismissed entirely. I felt like Dr. Bederman handled my case with sensitivity, solution-focused forethought, and clinical insight that goes beyond simple knowledge, intelligence, or proficiency in practicing orthopedic medicine. His insight was informed by the lived experience of his patient, as well as by a combination of: a creative and analytical clinical application of his field of expertise, training, education, and experience, and his humanity. 5 gold stars for Dr. Bederman. I’ve had so many terrible and traumatic encounters with health care professionals, and when dealing with chronic pain, it is the most disheartening thing to feel defeated, alone, and left to figure out my own medical issues despite my lack of any qualifications. I’ve been dismissed, disbelieved, treated like I am worthless, and told that my pain “has no value”—all by doctors if you can believe it. Seeing Dr. Bederman was something like gold being discovered for me, and I hope he is the same for you, Reader. If you have been knocked down time and time again by people who are supposed to help and heal and have lost faith or confidence in your doctor, I would highly recommend giving Dr. Bederman a shot. I was at the end of my rope, too, before I saw him, but since seeing him I feel like there is some hope still left to hold onto.
