Choosing a pediatrician?

Question

okay I have had several recomendations and had hearsay from people about thier babys doctors. I want to know how to scheduale an appointment like an "interview" with several different pediatritions before i just choose one. i want to know what questions should i ask to get a well formed opinion about weather or not i want this person caring for my childs health. One thing i know to ask (since im having a boy) is thier feelings on circumsicion. (some find it barbaric and i dont) im not sure how to go about any of this, this is my first child.
also i want to know about if the pediatrition has to come to the hospital to do the circumsicion or if my OB or a staff member at the hospital does it, or does it vary from place to place? i figured id get some answers here first so i know what to ask when i speak to my own doctor and then interview pediatritons.

Answer 1

We have a clinic system, so actually 'choosing' a single pediatrician, in the absense of a serious medical problem, is pretty hard. You often get whoever is on call, which, for the most part is just fine. My suggestion is to call the office and talk to the head nurse at the office. Tell her your requirements (specifically about the circumcision) and how to set up an appointment to inverview. One of the problems with selecting a very popular pediatrician is the difficulty of getting an appointment.

Keep in mind that doctors have training in MEDICINE and INJURY. Most have no expertise in parenting and few have any training in child nutrition or breastfeeding. You're on your own for that. If you plan to actively pursue long term breastfeeding, join a Le Leche Group locally and find out what pediatricians are supportive of breastfeeding. Non-supportive doctors shove formula at you the first sign of a problem (again, they have no training in nutrition). If you have issues with vaccines (either no vaccine or modified schedule), you'll want a physician who isn't going to hassle you each and every appointment. Some physicians actually have changed on some previously rigid policies (now happy to delay vaccines when child is ill).

Finally, don't forget that you can always change. If you don't feel confident about their advice or treatment, don't hesitate to change.

Answer 2

1. It does depend on where you are at as far as the circumcision goes. My peditrician did my sons
2. Ask if they always have someone on call to see your baby or someone who can answer your questions
3. I would find out how they feel about perscribing medicine. Some docs give antibiotics for everything. I personally don't like this if the doc thinks it will go away on its own then no medicine should be prescribed.
4. I think the most important thing is someone who have a good gut feeling about. If he/she makes you feel dumb or inadequate when you have a question then that is not the doctor for you. Remember you have been a mom about 5 minutes no matter how long they have been doctors.
5. See how there patient load is. You don't want a doctor that is sooo busy it is hard to get in to him.
6. See how they do their billing. Will they bill your insurance for you? Or do you have to pay upfront and wait for to get paid by the insurance via reimbursment?
That is all I can think of off the top of my head. If I think of something else I will edit my answer

Answer 3

My pediatrician did not do an interview/consultation appointment. He did come very highly recommended by a friend whom I trust greatly though. We've been with him for 1½ years and we just love him. He belongs to group of doctors so their is always someone on call and available to us 24/7 (and trust me, I've put that to the test!). They all have young children so they have experience both as doctors and parents. Talk to your friends with children and get referals from them. I would have liked to meet our dr. 1st but it all worked out well.

In our area they no longer perform circumcisions at the hospital right after the baby is born. My OB did it in her office about a week later. The OB does it because she is also a surgeon, our pediatrician is not.

Hope this info. helps! Good luck to you!

Answer 4

We love our pediatrician. The only thing is that he's very hard for us to get into. Even though we're in a city, we go to one outside of us in a smaller town where people have been going, that were raised there. So for my friend (she was raised there and he was her doc) she has no problem getting her kids in on real short notice. And all the nurses at the desk know her family, etc.

So what Im saying is, one thing that counts is back-up care. While we can then get into our local clinc (same system) we end up seeing different doctors. Wish it was something we would have thought of sooner.

Answer 5

My OB did my son's circumcision, so it varies.
I agree with the answer above that check on care for sick visits, can you call someone in the middle of the night, will they see you immediately if needed. Also, do they have a lab in the same building or will you have to drive somewhere else for blood tests etc?