Children have different health care needs than adults—both medical and emotional. Pediatricians are trained to prevent and manage health problems in infants, children, teens, and young adults. Older patients trust their pediatricians, because they have known one another for many years.
Do not wait until your child is sick or needs a checkup to choose a pediatrician. Even if you recently moved, are changing insurance, or are having a baby, it is best to find a pediatrician as soon as you can. For recommendations about a pediatrician, ask other doctors you know, as well as family, friends, relatives, and coworkers. You may want to contact a nearby hospital, medical school, or your county medical society for a list of local pediatricians. Some health insurance plans may require you to choose a pediatrician from their approved network of doctors. After you have a list of names, you may visit the pediatricians’ offices to help you choose your child’s doctor. While you are in the reception area, look around to see if it is clean. (But realize that children have been in it all day long.) Consider whether the office staff seems friendly and helpful.
Ask the office staff some questions such as; what are the office hours? Is emergency coverage available 24 hours a day? What is the best time to call for routine quests? How does the office handle billing?
Also prepare a list of questions for the pediatrician as well: what is his/her background? Do they have a specialty area of interest? To what hospital does he/she admit patients? Are they certified through the American Board of Pediatrics?
These are just sample questions. Ask other questions about things that are important to you.
After your first visit with the pediatrician, ask yourself: Does this pediatrician listen, answers questions, and seem interested? Above all, ask yourself if you like and trust this person. If your instincts say “no,” talk with the next pediatrician on your list.
Regular visits to the pediatrician are a key part of preventive health care. At each visit, the pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner, or pediatric resident will fully examine your child. This checkup will give your child’s pediatrician a chance to update immunizations, track growth and development and answer any questions you may have.
You should always feel free to call your pediatrician’s office, either during office hours for routine questions or at any time for an emergency. Call right away if you are worried about your child. Sometimes a parent feels there is a problem before symptoms actually show up. Always call and get proper medical advice. Realize, though, that sometimes your pediatrician may not be able to answer your questions without seeing your child first. When you are not sure whether to call, trust your instincts.
Your pediatrician can continue to be an important resource not only for illness or injury care, but also for all sorts of health advice, including the following: exercise, nutrition, emotional/behavioral problems, etc. Your pediatrician can also respond to your teen’s special needs and can offer advice and counseling on body changes, menstruation, acne, etc.
Many childhood diseases can be prevented with regular health care visits and up-to-date immunizations. Children need shots to protect them from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, chickenpox, influenza, and pneumococcal infections. Be sure your child is up-to-date with all needed vaccinations. It is the only way to protect your child against many serious diseases. Your pediatrician can give you the latest information about new vaccines as they become available.