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Every family wants a
pediatrician who’s dependable, competent, caring, and easy to talk
to. Some doctors are all of these things, and others are not.
Therefore, when parents are looking for a pediatrician, they should
(to the extent allowed by insurance) take the time to visit several
doctors, seek recommendations, and ask questions. Because the
family’s relationship with its pediatrician will be a long and
involved one, it’s important that parents choose their child’s
doctor carefully.
To get the names of pediatricians you can interview, ask for
recommendations from friends, relatives, your obstetrician or
midwife, and your insurance company. Check with local hospitals and
the referral services of local medical societies. Once you have the
names of several pediatricians, set up appointments to visit. It’s
always best to see at least two doctors so you can compare them
before you make your decision. Some charge for consultations, so ask
about fees.
When you visit each pediatrician’s office, look around. Are there
toys and books available for children? Is the floor clean enough for
a baby to crawl on? Are sick and healthy children and newborns
separated? Do the receptionists and nurses seem pleasant?
When you talk to the doctor, ask questions and pay attention to how
she responds. Does she answer you fully in terms you can understand
and does she listen to your point of view? Do you feel comfortable
with her? How do you think she relates to children?
Here are some of the questions you might want to ask during your
interview: where and when will the pediatrician examine your new
born? How does she feel about breast feeding and bottle feeding, and
does she approve of the feeding method you’ve chosen? Does she make
herself available to discuss nonmedical issues such as pacifier use,
sleeping habits, and nutrition? Does she have regular call-in hours
when you can ask questions over the phone? Is there a fee for phone
consultations?
As you consider which pediatrician to use, think about such
practical issues as the distance from the office to your home, the
office hours (some pediatricians have extended hours for working
parents), the doctor’s fees, her procedure for emergency visits, and
how her office handles insurance. If she practices alone, find out
who covers for her when she’s sick or on vacation, and try to meet
that doctor briefly. If the pediatrician you interview is part of a
group practice, ask if you can choose one of the doctors as your
primary pediatrician.
Choose a doctor you feel comfortable talking to, since you will
frequently consult with her about your child’s growth and
development, as well as medical problems. You may find that after
you start taking your child to a pediatrician, your feelings about
that doctor will change. You may not have known at the time you
first interviewed her that you would be facing such issues as
thumb-sucking, sleep problems, or late toilet use. Now you discover
that her opinions about these issues are contrary to yours. She may,
for example, be against giving bottles to a toddler, while you think
it’s acceptable.
In such situations, parents who feel intimidated by their
pediatrician choose to hide their child’s habits when they come in
for appointments. They leave their child’s blanket, pacifier, or
bottle at home, rather than face the doctor’s disapproval. Such
parents may eventually grow distant from their pediatrician, seeking
her advice only on medical issues. Other parents in the same
situation may become more open with their doctor, letting her know
just how their child behaves and discussing differences of opinion
on parenting issues. If you find yourself disagreeing with your
child’s doctor too often, you’ll have to decide whether to work out
a compromise or switch pediatricians and start a new relationship. |
