Selecting a Pediatrician
Tips for Choosing Your Baby's Doctor
Expecting a baby is an exciting time for parents, and it certainly involves a lot of preparation. There's getting the crib, the clothes, the books, the car seat, and many other things-some more important than others. One of the most important decisions you make is choosing a pediatrician. This is the physician who is going to care for your newborn as he or she grows and develops, so it is well worth spending some time making a thoughtful decision.
It is best not to wait until you give birth; that will be a time of much excitement and learning. Having the pediatrician chosen by then will help you feel settled and ready. A good time to start looking is about seven-and-a-half or eight months into your pregnancy. By planning out a simple process, you can find a good pediatrician without making it too complicated.
Personal referrals are the best way to find qualified candidates, and your goal should be to start with about two or three pediatricians. Ask trusted friends or relatives first. You may also get referrals from your obstetrician.
Once you have narrowed down your search to two or three pediatricians, you can start getting more information. You will want to think about two broad categories: logistical considerations and philosophy of care. Some of this information you can get over the phone, but I strongly recommend setting up brief meetings with your top choices. Pediatricians, like most people, have busy schedules, but most will be willing to schedule a 15-minute meeting with you.
Logistical Considerations: Selecting a Pediatric Office
Following are some questions you should ask about logistics and about the office overall. Remember, these days most pediatricians are part of a larger medical group or office. Think about how each of these questions rank in terms of their importance to you:
- Is this pediatrician covered in your health plan?
- Where is the office located?
- What are the regular office hours?
- How often is this pediatrician on call for emergencies, and is it on a 24-hour basis?
- Where is the nearest facility at which this pediatrician treats emergency patients?
- When this pediatrician is not on call, is the on-call pediatrician always someone from the same group, or could it be someone else?
- Does this pediatrician share the same philosophies as others in the group?
Philosophy of Care: Selecting a Doctor
While all pediatricians generally adhere to guidelines established by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, their philosophies of care can vary greatly, even working within these guidelines. For example, my personal philosophy is to emphasize disease prevention rather than focus solely on disease treatment. To help you determine some key elements of a pediatrician's philosophy of care and to help you think about what is important to you, consider the following questions:
- Does the pediatrician focus on disease prevention and in what major ways?
- What is the pediatrician's philosophy about breastfeeding?
- If you are planning to breast-feed, what materials or counseling does the pediatrician or the office have in place to support you?
- How will the pediatrician monitor the developmental progress of your baby?
- What kinds of educational materials on safety and injury prevention are available?
- Does the pediatrician believe in the importance of vaccines? (Note: timely use of vaccines is considered critically important by most major health authorities.)
- Is the pediatrician comfortable advising children on tough issues as they head into the teen years?
The Bottom Line...
As a parent, it is ultimately your responsibility to care for and guide your children to help them reach their optimal potential. However, you should leave your meeting with a pediatrician reassured that this doctor is going to take good care of your child and be a strong support for you in your child's growth and development. Use common sense and trust your instincts.