Choosing a Pediatrician
For first time parents, choosing a pediatrician for your baby is one of many items to take care of well before the delivery. In addition to this guide, the American Academy of Pediatrics website is a good resource.
You should seek recommendations from your obstetrician, and your local hospital may provide a physician referral service as a way to find names of pediatricians who practice near where you live. Talk to friends and neighbors to gain their suggestions as well. You will likely want to check with your medical insurance company to obtain names of pediatricians to be certain they participate in your insurance plan.
Pediatricians are graduates of four-year medical schools and participate in three years of additional residency training in pediatrics. To practice as a pediatrician, the physician also must pass a written examination conducted by the American Board of Pediatrics. A pediatrician will have a broad range of knowledge and skills necessary to treat all the medical conditions of childhood from minor illnesses to serious diseases.
You will want to meet with several pediatricians face to face before you select a doctor to care for your child. Most pediatricians offer a prenatal interview for expectant parents, and it is a good way to learn about the doctor's philosophy and meet the office staff.
A few basic questions to keep in mind will serve as a guide for the interview. The way the pediatrician answers your questions will help you make a decision about which pediatrician fits well with your approach to childcare and parenting.
For example, you should inquire about the pediatrician's educational background and training:
- Is the physician board certified in pediatrics?
- Is the pediatrician a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics?
- With which hospital is the pediatrician affiliated?
- If your child needs to be hospitalized, will the pediatrician be able to care for your child in the hospital?
- If your child needs speciality medical care, to whom does your pediatrician make referrals?
- If there is a children's hospital in your area, does your pediatrician make referrals there and is he or she affiliated with it?
- You will also want to know if your pediatrician will visit your newborn in the hospital after delivery. Pediatric coverage after regular office hours is also an issue you will want to discuss with your pediatrician.
- Is your pediatrician part of a group that covers for each other or are other groups involved?
- What happens on nights or weekends if your child becomes ill and needs to see a doctor right away?
- Can you call the doctor at a regular time during the day if you have questions? If a staff person answers these calls, you can ask what background that person has or what protocols of information are available to that person.
You will want to ask about office visits, and immunization schedules for your child and whether those schedules are consistent with American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. At the end of the interview you should have a sense of whether the doctor's background and communication style are a good fit for you. It is important that you feel comfortable asking questions because as a new parents, questions will crop up frequently.
You should feel as if the pediatrician is a partner with you in ensuring good medical care for your child. Feeling confident in the decision you make about selecting the right pediatrician is a good place to start in finding the person who will be such an important healthcare resource for you and your child.
