When choosing a pediatrician, what questions do you need to ask? What do you need to look for ?

Question

I am adopting my niece who is a baby born to a substance abuser. Do I need to tell this history to the pediatrician? I am going to interview a couple today. But, I need to choose quickly becasuse the baby is coming to me on Monday. What are the traits of a good pediatrician? She will be covered under our insurance.

Answer 1

Yes, you need to tell her the baby's full history. You also need a pediatrician that you feel comforatable with and who likes his/her job. If you have specific views about your child's medical care, find one that agrees with them, or at least respects them. Then, if there's more than one that fit that category, the most child-friendly.

Answer 2

Yes, you must tell the pediatrician a complete history of the baby in order for problems to be anticipated. One thing you want to watch for a pediatrician is someone who would talk to you honestly and not dumb things down. You want the doctor not to dismiss any concerns that you may bring up. You want him/her to give you some sort of explanation why you have to worry or not worry about whatever concern you may have.

Also:
-can you call 24hrs a day (is there someone who can always take the call)
-if someone takes a message, how fast does the doctor get back to you
-how fast can you get an appointment for your sick child
-is there separate waiting rooms for sick and well babies
-how long is the wait when you visit



Consider the office with more than one pediatrician in case you don't like one. This is also good because that means you can always see a doctor whenever you need it.

good luck to you!!!

Answer 3

Yes that information is very useful to the doctor. The best doctors are those that really take their time and answer ALL of your questions. Make sure (and I'm not trying to be ugly here) that you can understand them when they talk. You can even ask the receptionist when you call to interview the doctors if the doctor speaks good clear english. You don't want him to walk out of the room and go what did he say... If he will answer your questions and knows the answer very quickly then he is most likely a great doctor. I have also found that men doctors are gentler with the baby than a female doctor. That is just my opinion. If you have a childrens hospital close by call them up and find out who they might recommend. At Childrens here in Dallas they have the RPP clinic and I'm sure that your local childrens hospical has a clinic like that aswell you might try getting a doctor there. They are usually residents but they are supervised by excellent doctors. Good luck and Congrats.

Answer 4

Most definitely tell the pediatrician of her history. If she has any problems related to being exposed to substances, the doctor will be aware to look out for it. I don't know what to say to ask, they can say anything when being questioned, it's when they are actually practicing that counts. My advice would be go at least 1/2 an hour early before your scheduled interview and sit in the waiting room. I'd ask the parents coming in their opinions of the doctor. Good traits to me would be someone who actually listens to you, can you get into the office that day if needed, is there always a doctor on call that you can actually talk to, how does the doctor react with the child, etc. I absolutely love our pediatrician and one of his best qualities are when we have an appointment he comes into the room and says hi mom, then goes directly into conversation with my sons. They are his patients and he treats them with complete respect. He asks my opinion, but also asks the kids.

Answer 5

Referrals. Ask some you trust who is their kids pediatrician.

Also, you need to tell the P everything about the child's past. Make sure the P asks many questions and is interested in the well being of the child.

Answer 6

I would mention the history and any specific medical conditions to see what the doctor knows about them. Ask other parents in your area to recommend a pediatrician. See how clean the office is and ask any questions you can think of.

Answer 7

When I adopted our daughter I called my gyn for a good pedi. I figured they would know - right? Well, turned out the they are the best in our area and I couldn't be any happier with them.
They do need to know the baby's past in order to provide proper medical care. Since a case worker is involved there wouldn't be any avoiding it anyway.

Answer 8

referrals are the best. Tlak to neighbors who have kids. You also may want to make sure that they have a night time and weekend clinic. This will help keep all of the records in one place but you ive the flexiblity to go to the doc when you need to.

Answer 9

look for someone who has a established practice and i would maybe mention the substance abuse because there could be complications arousing from that, eg if the baby was exposed to drugs during pregnancy or during the early years but you will be fine.

Answer 10

Tell them the history of the child and how things are. You shuld feel comfortable with the Dr., you should feel you can talk to the Dr. openly and ask friends or neighbors that have children about who they see and what they are like.

My ped dr is an indian (middle eastern) he is funny, talks to my oldest, asks what he is feeling then talks to me.
He plays with my 4 month old when i take her in to see him and he listens to my every concern. he tells me when i'm being over rational, over protective and gives me advice that i need. But most of all it is the way that he is with my children. He is there dr and so he acts it. He listens to them and lets them tell him stories and plays during the examination. Yes even with my 4 month old. before he starts her examination he plays with her for 5 -7 mins and then starts talking to me and tell me that she is doing good both physically and mentally. i think that he is a really good dr.

i hope you find someone you feel comforable with. But i think that you should wait to interveiw them until your neice is with you so that you can see how they are with her. i think that is more important.