RSS Subscribe to RSS

First Time Parents: Choosing a Pediatrician

The search for your baby’s Pediatrician should begin at least one month before your due date. The best way to select a Pediatrician is by word of mouth. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have this valuable resource, and so we are left to do our own investigating. This process will include an “interview” with as many physicians as it takes to find the “right” one for your family. I suggest physically visiting the doctor’s office so that you can scope out the atmosphere. Ask yourself: Is the office and physician baby friendly? How busy is the waiting room? Does it seem like people are waiting a long time for their appointments? How helpful is the receptionist? In my experience, Pediatricians accepting new patients are happy to meet with expecting parents for a face-to-face interview. I would be wary of any physician unwilling to extend this courtesy.

The following is a list of questions I found useful in my search for the best Pediatrician for my son:

  • Is the doctor(s) covered by my insurance?
  • How many doctors are in the clinic? More than one doctor makes for more flexible scheduling and the availability of drop-in appointments.
  • Will my child see the doctor, the doctor’s assistant, or a nurse during his/her visit? It was important to me that my child see his Pediatrician for each of his wellness visits.
  • What vaccination schedule does the doctor follow, why, and is he/she flexible in that regime?
  • Is there a separate waiting area for sick kids vs. kids being seen for routine check-ups?
  • What are the hours/days of operation?
  • Who is on-call for emergencies when the office is closed?
  • What hospital(s) is the doctor affiliated with?
  • Does the doctor(s) have children of his/her own?
  • What are the doctor’s credentials and how long has the doctor(s) been practicing?
I’m a firm believer in listening to your gut; instincts are a parent’s best friend. When you meet the “right” Pediatrician, you’ll likely know it.


RSS Subscribe to the comments for this post
Posted on : Apr 25 2008
Tags: , , ,
Posted under Baby, Mom & Dad |

One Person has left comments on this post

Apr 29, 2008 - 12:04:35
Megan said:

My experience with the pediatrician’s office is that I seem to have just as much contact with the doctor’s nurse as I do the doctor. So, it is very important that you like the nurse as well and even more important that your child/children seem to like him/her as well. Vaccinations seem to be administered by the nurse most of the time and when this is the case, it helps when the child is comfortable with the person giving the shots ~ So take that into consideration when chosing a Dr. as well ~

Post a Comment