By Stacy DeBroff
Choosing a pediatrician for your child can be a big decision, especially if you are a first time mom. Below is a list of how to find a pediatrician in your area, important questions to ask before committing to the office, and helpful tips regarding appointments and after-hours calls.
Make a list of possible pediatricians, based on recommendations by:
Friends with young children
Family members
Obstetrician Colleagues at work
Members of your religious community
Lactation consultant
Health plan
To shorten your list, call the office of each recommended provider and ask basic make-or-break questions, such as:
Is the pediatrician accepting new patients?
Does the practice have convenient office hours, such as Saturdays, evenings, or first thing in the morning?
Is the office located somewhere convenient for you?
What are the fees, and how much is covered by your insurance?
Ask about each pediatrician's educational background, training, board certifications, and experience.
Check out both large and small practices. Though a small practice may feel more hands-on, a large practice with plenty of staff may afford your doctor and her coworkers more time to attend to you and your child.
Meet with your top two choices. Some pediatricians will charge for this introductory visit, and insurance rarely pays for it, but it's worth the money to find the right person.
Check Out the Facility
Is the doctor part of a larger practice? If so, under what circumstances would other doctors in the practice see your child?
What is the role of the nursing staff?
How far in advance do you have to schedule a well-child visit?
How does the practice manage calls outside of office hours? Will you talk to a doctor or a nurse first? Who returns calls and answers follow-up questions?
How many people are in the waiting room when you arrive?
Are there toys for the kids?
How do the receptionist and staff treat you?
Interview the Doctor
How long has she been practicing?
Where did she attend medical school and do her residency?
Does she have any specialized training?
Does she teach pediatric medicine? (Pediatricians who teach have to stay current with the latest research and treatments.)
Is she a parent herself?
How are sick visits scheduled?
What is the typical length of time before a parent's after-hours call is returned?
Who responds to telephone calls during the day?
How does she handle referrals to pediatric specialists?
In an emergency will she meet you at the hospital?
With which hospital is the practice affiliated?
How does the doctor conduct exams? Can your baby or toddler stay in your lap for the duration?
Will the doctor come to see your baby in the hospital in which you will be giving birth? When should she be contacted after the birth?
Will she be present for the birth at your request?
Who will examine the baby after the delivery?
Reflect on Your Meeting
Is she attentive, respectful, and helpful?
Do you feel comfortable talking with her?
Does she take plenty of time to answer your questions? Do you feel rushed by her?
Does her philosophy of treating your child match your needs? Would you prefer someone who gave you options and included your opinion when choosing treatment for your child, or would you rather have a more decisive, authoritative doctor?
Does the doctor's child-rearing philosophy match yours? How does she feel about issues important to you, such as breastfeeding, toilet training, immunizations, vegetarianism, the use of antibiotics, or alternative medicine? How supportive is she of working moms, if you are one?
Does the pediatrician have the kind of temperament to which you respond best?
Does the pediatrician have in-depth knowledge of the local medical community and the ability to recommend excellent pediatric specialists?
Ongoing Care
Schedule well-child visits far in advance so you can pick the times most convenient for you and your child.
Ask for the first appointment of the morning or the first one after lunch, as at these times your doctor will most likely run on time.
Don't bring your child to the doctor during his normal nap times.
A pediatrician's busiest stretch generally falls after school, which makes this the worst time for you to call with routine questions or to schedule an appointment.
To prepare for a well-child visit:
Bring a pad of paper and pencil to the visit to jot down instructions or information.
Ask about giving your child Tylenol before he receives immunization shots to lessen the reaction.
Dress your child in clothing that's easy to get on and off.
Bring small toys, crayons, and paper to keep your child occupied during what could be a long wait.
Bring crayons into the examining room: your child can color the paper on the examining table or his paper robe. Have your child draw a picture to surprise the doctor.
If your child is very fearful, bring your child's doll to the doctor's office and ask the doctor to do some of the procedures first on the doll and then on your child. Suggest something your child can look forward to afterwards, like a snack or outing.
Do not try to squeeze a question about a second child into one child's visit. You run the risk of their both receiving rushed and inadequate care.
For babies:
Wait until the doctor arrives to fully undress your baby, instead of waiting with a shivering and fussing infant.
Bring a waterproof pad for yourself, as you may find yourself holding your naked baby for most of the visit.
Remind the receptionist when you are visiting the doctor with a sick child. If your child has something highly infectious, like chicken pox, ask if the office prefers you to use another entrance.
When scheduling a sick visit for your child, ask to meet with your pediatrician, as opposed to another doctor in the practice, for continuity and relationship building.
Ask your pediatrician if she can call a prescription into your pharmacy (bring the number with you) instead of writing it out, so you do not have to wait in the store while your prescription is filled.
Calling After Hours
Trust your instincts. Do not feel afraid to call the doctor's office if your child's illness worries you.
ß Pull out your medical records so you have your child's medical history, as well as a record of drugs your child has taken in the past,adverse reactions, and what your child seemed to respond to best. When you do have to call your doctor late at night or after hours, you'll get faster, more accurate care if you have basic medical information about your child on hand.
Remind the physician on call of recent sickness, injuries, or shots.
Know if your child has a fever and what his temperature reads.
Have ready the number of an all-night pharmacy where your doctor can call in prescriptions.
Do not get off the phone until you and your doctor have arrived at a plan that makes sense to you. This may mean taking your child in for treatment, calling in a prescription, scheduling an appointment, or monitoring him at home for the next day or two
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