Edelstein R David, MD

I’m done!!! I always arrive on time & I’ve NEVER not waited minimum one hour to see this doctor who apparently thinks he’s god! Well he’s not! Every other ENT I’ve seen in my life does exactly the same treatment and exam all without the long wait and attitude in his office.
Today I had came late for the first time ever due to a ridiculous amount of traffic and construction going on (usually I’m a subway girl, but with my back spasming since yesterday out of the blue, and a sleepless night, my husband took time out of his busy schedule to fight two hours in the car from Park Slope to make me comfortable in his car), and I even called them to let them know. They said no problem.
When I arrived there were zero patients in the waiting room. I was so excited I wouldn’t have to wait long and could get my throat exam and hopefully get home soon to ice my back for my spasm.
OH NO! That’s not how they work. They made me wait cause others might show for their appts. Mind you, an exam takes literally 5 mins. Also, I’ve never not waited an hour with an appt, so why should the patients maybe showing up be whisked into the exam room right away? Wouldn’t they have to wait too as I’ve always done? So after 30 mins of sitting in an empty waiting room (empty!) a patient came in and they took them right away. Then another walked in and I asked if they knew when I might be called. I said, will it be soon? Their answer, «We’ll see».
WE’LL SEE???
Forgot you and your office attitude. I’m done. I’m getting a new ENT closer to Park Slope and with a nicer manner.
And don’t be fooled by all the New York Magazine best doctor BS. Every New Yorker knows that’s all a who you know to get that press.

Dr. David Edelstein may very well be a fine diagnostician. I can’t judge this. But I can judge his patient skills and practice and both are abysmal. I visited his office on two occasions. Both times I had to wait long past my appointment time before I was seen; the second time for over one hour. Dr. Edelstein is not big on answering questions or on explaining what he is doing to you. For example, on my first visit I had a tube inserted into my sinuses without any preparation for what to expect.
However, I don’t want to get too picky. To some extent such treatment is the price we pay for modern medicine. But being demeaned is not something that any patient should have to put up with. Not only did Dr. Edelstein fail to show respect by his actions, he actually resorted to making derogatory remarks to me simply because I was having trouble understanding how to take a test I was undergoing. I left before completing the test. But, if you are willing to put up with long waits, an uncommunicative encounter and a lack of respect, Dr. Edelstein’s practice may be for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of other good otolaryngologists in Manhattan to choose from.

Fifteen years ago I had severe sinusitis and a friend strongly recommended Dr. David Edelstein. I was delighted to find him to be half brilliant physician – half Sherlock Holmes. He nailed my diagnosis on the first visit, which led to his performing sinus surgery that cleared me up. Since then his mini-​treatments and advice have kept my chronic sinusitis from ever again becoming a major problem. He may be the most thorough, most confidence-​inspiring specialist I’ve ever experienced, and my visits are always an enjoyable «experience.»
Here’s a summary of my 15 years of regular follow-​up appointments:
1) I’ve never spent more than 10 minute in the waiting room.
2) He bustles into the exam room, says «Hi,» and immediately sits down at his laptop to immerse himself in his notes detailing my recent appointments,
3) Then he comes over to the exam chair, conducts a thorough exam of my sinuses, and tells me exactly what he sees (for example he might say: «Left Maxillary is perfect… but I see a couple of baby polyps on the right.»)
4) He then returns to his laptop and spends two minutes inputting these latest exam findings while simultaneously telling me what RX I need along with any lifestyle tips that might help nip the baby polyps in the bud.
At my most recent appointment he prescribed an antibiotic. I asked if he was giving me the prescription slip? He said, «Your pharmacy is Walgreens, right?» I nodded and he said, «They already have it.» He had just emailed the RX to Walgreens from his laptop. (Wow! That was a «medical first» for me.)
As other reviewers have commented, Dr Edelstein has a ton of framed «Best Doctor in NY» magazine covers hanging from his walls. I have watched this impressive magazine-​cover collection grow exponentially over the past 15 years – will he soon need larger office space to gain more wall area for these covers? Probably.

I have been to a few doctors before eventually finding Dr.Edelstein. The best advice I can give is that if you have a problem do your research and find the best doctor you can. I would have saved so much money and suffering with my chronic sinusitis if I had just done some research and came to Dr. Edelstein sooner. He is extremely smart, very thorough and explains everything as if you were his student. I highly recommend Dr. Edelstein. He’s been voted ‘Best Doctor’ for years and I now see why!

Dr. Edelstein’s office is very organized and efficient, as are visits with him. He was able to diagnose and treat a potentially life threatening illness while explaining everything very clearly and not making me stressed. He is smart and focused on his work primarily as opposed to long personal conversations, but that ‘s what I’m there for, and he’s one of the best. There’s a reason he’s been voted ‘Best Doctor’ for so many years!