Whether you are an expectant parent looking for a pediatrician for the first time, or a parent looking to change pediatricians, making the right choice can seem daunting. One of the most crucial decisions parents face is choosing the right pediatrician to ensure their child receives optimal healthcare. This blog will explore vital considerations and offer practical tips for selecting the perfect pediatrician for your family.
Starting Your Search
Begin Early
Initiating your search for a pediatrician during pregnancy allows ample time to evaluate potential candidates and make an informed decision. Ideally, begin the process during the second trimester so there’s still time to weigh your options.
Ask for Referrals & Opinions
Get opinions from family, friends, and healthcare providers. Chances are you know people with children who have a doctor they love. Asking for recommendations is a good way to get your list started. Your OBGYN is also a good resource for referrals as well. Or, if you’re new to an area, find a local mom’s group or community social media page to ask.
If all else fails, you can look at the reviews online to get ideas. Just remember – individual experiences and preferences may differ, so it’s essential to consider your family’s specific needs when evaluating suggestions.
Research Credentials
Check Certifications & Experience
Check to see if your candidates are board-certified. This means they’ve not only completed medical school and a three-year residency, but they’ve also passed a series of rigorous exams that they’ll regularly retake to stay current. You may also want to find a pediatrician that is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Also, don’t be shy about asking about their past experience and education. If there are certain areas of medicine that are important to you (e.g. holistic medicine, integrative medicine, functional medicine, etc.), make sure to include that in your search as well.
Evaluating Pediatric Practices & Policies
Office Location & Accessibility
Consider proximity to your home, workplace, or childcare provider. A conveniently located pediatrician’s office can significantly reduce stress, especially during unexpected or urgent appointments. Additionally, evaluate the availability of parking and accessibility via public transportation.
Office Hours & Appointment Availability
Assess the pediatrician’s regular office hours to ensure they align with your schedule. Determine if they offer evening, weekend, or same-day appointments for urgent concerns. Inquire about the process for reaching the pediatrician after hours and if there’s a designated on-call doctor to handle emergencies.
Practice Size & Staff Composition
Consider the practice size and staff composition that best suits your family’s preferences and needs. Pediatric practices can range from solo practitioners to large group practices. A smaller practice may offer a more intimate, personalized experience, while a larger practice could provide greater flexibility in appointment scheduling and access to a broader range of healthcare professionals.
Hospital Affiliations
Ask potential pediatricians about which hospitals they have admitting privileges. If your child needs to be hospitalized, where would they be admitted? Some parents have strong preferences about which hospital the pediatrician is affiliated with, while others don’t. It may be especially important if your child has a condition that might require hospital stays or emergency room visits. If it’s important to you, make sure to ask.
Assessing the Pediatrician’s Approach & Philosophy
Communication & Rapport
Establishing open communication and a strong rapport with your pediatrician is essential. During initial consultations or interviews, gauge your level of comfort in discussing concerns and asking questions. Observe their attentiveness, empathy, and ability to explain complex medical concepts in an accessible manner.
Parenting Philosophy & Medical Approach
Ensure the pediatrician’s parenting philosophy and medical approach align with your values and preferences. Inquire about their approach to preventative care, medication use, and referrals to specialists when necessary. Discuss topics such as breastfeeding, sleep training, and vaccination schedules to determine if your views are compatible.
Child Engagement & Bedside Manner
A pediatrician’s ability to engage with children and make them feel comfortable is invaluable. Observe their interactions with your child or other children in the waiting room. A warm, reassuring demeanor can make healthcare visits less intimidating for both you and your child.
See if You Click
Once you’ve narrowed down a few potential pediatric candidates, it’s time to meet. At Partners in Pediatrics, initial interviews are conducted over the phone, so compiling a list of questions in advance is advised to help you feel confident and prepared to meet one of our awesome pediatricians. To save time before your call, and abundance of practice information can be found on our office’s website so it’s important to read thoroughly as many answers to common questions can be found online. This small step will allow you to get to the heart of your questions about the practice during your initial interview.
Below are a few questions to consider while conducting your research and preparing for your interview. Keep in mind too, there are no “right” answers, as every family’s needs, priorities, and preferences are different. Instead, let your gut be your guide.
- How long have you been in practice? Where did you attend medical school? Are you a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics?
- Do you have any sub-specialties?
- Is this a solo or group practice? If it’s solo, who covers you when you’re gone? If it’s a group, how often will we see the other doctors in the practice?
- What is your childcare philosophy? What are your views on vaccines, antibiotics, alternative medicine, bottle feeding, circumcision, sleep training, etc.?
- Will your initial meeting with my baby be at the hospital or the first checkup?
- What is your schedule for well baby checkups?
- Do you offer same-day sick appointments?
- What are your hours? Are you available to see us in the evenings or on weekends?
- What if my baby gets sick when the office is closed? How are off-hour emergencies handled?
- Do you have separate sick and well waiting rooms?
- What hospitals do you work with? If my child has to be hospitalized, where would he be admitted?
- What tests are handled in the office, and what is done elsewhere? Where?
It’s important that you make sure you connect with your pediatric health care provider well enough to trust them with your child’s health. You don’t have to be best friends, but if you’re not at ease, it will make visits uncomfortable and even unproductive. If you feel like they’re intimidating, dismissive, or otherwise off-putting, it’s not a good fit.
Post Interview
After your initial interview, evaluate how you felt overall about the entire experience. How the doctor answered your questions is one thing, but you also want to make sure you feel good about the overall interaction. Because, after all, in the first year after your baby is born, you’ll visit your pediatrician’s office frequently.
A few questions to ask yourself:
- Did you feel comfortable speaking with the doctor? Did you like his or her communication style and bedside manner?
- Was the interview rushed? Did the doctor take the time to clearly address all of your questions?
- Did the doctor seem compassionate and patient?
- How easy was it to schedule the interview?
Check Your Coverage
Even if you find a pediatrician that you click with, has the right experience, and is conveniently located, you probably won’t want to choose them if you have to pay out of pocket every time you visit. When choosing a pediatrician, it’s wise to make sure the practice is in-network for your health insurance plan. Fortunately, most insurance companies that serve specific areas often have a large selection of local healthcare providers to choose from. It shouldn’t be hard to find an in-network pediatrician that meets all of your criteria.
Making the Final Decision
Compile Your Research
After completing your research and interviews:
- Compile your observations and impressions.
- Consider factors such as professional qualifications, practice policies, communication style, and personal rapport.
- Reflect on which aspects are most important to you and your family, and prioritize accordingly.
Trust Your Instincts
While gathering information and opinions from various sources is essential, ultimately, trust your instincts. As parents, you have unique insights into your child’s needs and temperament. Your intuition can guide you toward a pediatrician who will be a valuable partner in your child’s healthcare journey.
Stay Flexible & Open-Minded
Remember that your decision isn’t set in stone. If your chosen pediatrician doesn’t meet your expectations or your needs change, it’s acceptable to reevaluate your choice and explore other options. Open communication with your pediatrician is crucial, and if it’s lacking or issues arise, prioritize your child’s well-being by seeking a better fit.
Conclusion
Choosing the right pediatric care provider for your baby is a significant decision that requires careful consideration and research. You can confidently select a healthcare professional who will support your child’s growth and development by starting early, gathering recommendations, assessing practice policies, and evaluating the pediatrician’s approach and philosophy.
Trust your instincts and remain flexible, knowing that your child’s well-being is at the heart of your decision. With the ideal pediatric care provider by your side, you’ll have a trusted partner to guide and support your family through the incredible journey of parenthood.
At Partners in Pediatrics, we are holistic pediatricians and pediatric health care providers committed to educating the mile high city with functional wellness and health care topics. We are dedicated to providing your family with exceptional pediatric care using a holistic approach – combining conventional evidence-based medicine, anticipatory guidance focusing on nutrition, sleep and behavior, and when appropriate, providing guidance with alternative remedies. We have been caring for generations of Colorado children for over four decades and are passionate about what we do.
Please get in touch with our team of integrative pediatricians with any questions about selecting your family’s pediatric health care provider. If you’re in need of more comprehensive advice, please contact our team serving the Denver metro area, Littleton, City Park, Cherry Creek, downtown Denver, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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