Choosing a Pediatrician
Finding the right pediatrician can be daunting, especially if you are a first time parent. Your search for a pediatrician should begin toward the end of your pregnancy. Don’t be afraid to ask any question, even if you think that it won’t be important. It’s crucial that you choose a doctor you are comfortable with. In addition to their qualifications and experience, you should take into account their personality and how considerate and open-minded they are toward your concerns and beliefs.
There are certain questions you should answer for yourself before you begin your search. First, consider your child’s gender. Many kids, as they grow up, feel more comfortable with a pediatrician of the same sex. Decide if you want your pediatrician to be young or older. Older doctors have more experience but may retire while your child is growing up and may be hesitant to incorporate new medical advances into their practice. Younger doctors will not have the amount of experience but have been known to use new research and technology in their practice more often than older doctors. It may be a good idea to ask each pediatrician you meet with how he keeps up with the newest research on child development and preventing disease.
Study each pediatrician’s office and waiting room, check if it appears clean and make a note if sick patients are separated from healthy ones in the waiting room. You should talk to the people on staff to make sure they are friendly and helpful. Find out if each pediatrician is covered by your insurance.
If you have a pediatrician but you are unhappy, there are some signs that it’s time for a change. When your child has a simple illness like the common cold, your pediatrician should not prescribe a drug for them or perform a number of expensive tests. If you want to get a second opinion, your pediatrician should not become distressed or make you feel uncomfortable. He should never make you feel stupid for asking a question and should willingly provide you with all of the information you need. The staff should be helpful and accommodating when you have an emergency or need to change an appointment to work around your schedule. And of course, you should not stick with a pediatrician who makes your child uncomfortable or behave inappropriately. You can perform a background check on any doctor on the Federation of State Medical Boards’ website to make sure the pediatrician you are choosing doesn’t have a questionable history.
