Is the pediatrician on your insurance plan? Everyone has different criteria for picking a pediatrician, so you should collect at … Once you’ve got a list of possible candidates, verify that your top choices are members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Do their views on bottlefeeing or vaccinations align with yours? What are good reasons to get a second opinion from a specialist? Are there any extra charges for advice calls during the day, after hours advice calls, refilling medicines, or requests to fill out forms, etc.? Find a doctor who teaches you without judging you. What is your opinion on alternative medicine, attachment parenting, co-sleeping, etc.. First and foremost: Ask around. (A good answer is because either the pediatrician or the parent wants one. Always try to get the reason or an explanation behind a recommendation to make sure you understand why someone likes or dislikes their pediatrician. Parents seem to go to a lot of different extremes when choosing a pediatrician. What hospitals is the pediatrician affiliated with? The benefit of a solo practitioner or a pediatrician who is in an office by himself is that you can be sure that you will always see your own doctor. This is especially important if you have a Children's Hospital in your area and you would like a doctor that will see you if you have to go there. And while you may have to initially trust your instincts that you found the right pediatrician, it may take several visits or even several years to know for sure. Or your friend might like that their pediatrician prescribes an antibiotic every time they walk into the office, whether or not they need one. Most importantly, remember that it doesn't necessarily matter whether or not your pediatrician went to the best medical school or finished first in her class, so those aren't very important things to ask about. What happens if I need advice after hours? Will I always see my own doctor? Do they have any sub-specialties? Where are you located and do you have a satellite office? A couple of good questions to ask during this interview to help figure out if you have found a good fit include: Also, setting up an appointment to interview a pediatrician is just not something you can do when you are pregnant. That means they’ll be up to date on the latest developments in child health. You feel vulnerable enough as a new parent without a doctor making you feel like you're screwing up. For example, they might like that their pediatrician is really fast and they are in and out of the office quickly, while you might like someone who moves slower and spends more time during the visit, even if it means that you have to wait a little longer for your appointment. Are there separate sick and well waiting rooms? Also try calling up your insurance company to get a list of doctors in your area that accept your plan. Choosing the right pediatrician is more important than most parents think. While you can simply change doctors if you don't like the first pediatrician you see, if your newborn or older child is truly sick, the first doctor you see could be making life-changing decisions about your child. In this Article Step 1: Check a Pediatrician's Credentials Step 2: Do the Footwork to Find a Pediatrician Step 3: Assess Your Feelings About a Pediatrician Yes, there's a learning curve. To find out, check the website of the American Board of Pediatrics. Although you can typically narrow down your choice of pediatricians by figuring out who is on your insurance plan and in your area, who is accepting new patients and getting some recommendations from friends and family, the best way to find a good pediatrician is to actually set up an appointment and meet with a few. Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. No matter what medical school a pediatrician graduated from, it really all boils down to patients’ reports. How to Choose the Best Pediatrician for Your Child, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, The Importance of Choosing a Pediatrician, Antibiotics Before Age 2 Can Lead to Chronic Conditions, Study Finds, The Benefits of Your Child Seeing a Pediatrician, Why Some Women Decide to Change Doctors During Pregnancy, 1 in 3 Pediatricians Would Dismiss a Family That Refuses Vaccinations, Immunization Rates Are Dropping: Here's What Parents Should Know, What to Expect at Your Postpartum Checkup, How to Choose the Best Pediatrician for Your Twins, How to Freeze Your Eggs for Elective Fertility Preservation, New Parents Reckon With Unexpected Realities of COVID-19. Has cared for children for more than 20 years on alternative medicine, attachment parenting, co-sleeping, etc of. 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