Finding the Right Pediatrician 4 Your Kids and Family

Finding the Right Pediatrician 4 Your Kids and Family

When we moved back to Des Moines finding a pediatrician for the kids was at the top of my to-do list.  We really liked our previous pediatrician and wanted to find a comparable doctor and clinic here. 

Finding a pediatrician that you and your kids connect with and feel comfortable with at a convenient location is not always an easy task.   Hopefully, you will be in a long term relationship with this person and you want to be able to talk to them about medical topics in a matter-of-fact, non-judgmental environment.  You also want their front office staff to be friendly and accommodating.

As part of your child’s wellness support team, you will want your chosen physician to be able to grow with your kids.  New parents may be looking for a pediatrician that can give advice on nursing and feeding issues, sleeping schedules and potty training.  While parents of older kids will be looking for someone who will make their kid feel at ease talking about their changing bodies and puberty.  Parents of special needs kids will want a doctor who can assist with the management of those health issues and long term care plans.

With those concerns in mind, here is a list of questions, provided by healthychildren.orgHow to Choose a Pediatrician, that will help you find the right pediatrician for your kids and family:

  • What medical school did the pediatrician attend, and where did he or she undergo postgraduate and residency training? (Medical directories in many public libraries—such as the Directory of Medical Specialists and the American Medical Directory—can also help answer these questions.)
  • What are the doctor’s present hospital appointments? If it becomes necessary for your youngster to be hospitalized, where would he be admitted?
  • Is the pediatrician’s office conveniently located? Is it easily accessible by automobile or public transportation?
  • Are the office hours convenient for your own schedule? If you are a working parent, you may desire evening or weekend hours.
  • What is the doctor’s policy on taking and returning phone calls? Is there a nurse in the office who can answer routine questions?
  • Is the doctor in a group practice with other physicians? Does another physician cover for the doctor at times? Who handles phone calls when the office is closed or during vacations?
  • Do you sense a genuine interest by the doctor in the problems of your child, including particular health disorders he may have?
  • Do both the physician and the office staff appear amicable and courteous? Do they demonstrate compassion and patience? Or do you feel rushed in the office, as though the doctor is eager to move on to the next patient?
  • How are visits for acute illnesses handled? Can you make an appointment on short notice if your child needs to see the pediatrician because of a sore throat or an infection, for example?
  • Does the doctor communicate clearly, using layman’s language (not medical jargon) to explain illnesses and treatments, and does the doctor make an effort to ensure that all your questions are answered?
  • What are the doctor’s usual fees for sick visits, routine examinations, and immunizations? What is the office policy regarding the processing of insurance forms?
  • In what managed-care programs does the doctor participate?
  • If your child should ever develop a complex illness that necessitates the care of one or more specialists, will your pediatrician coordinate care among all the doctors providing treatment?

How did you choose your pediatrician?