A question about pediatricians

Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:35 pm

I haven't done anything other than ask my doctors for referrals for pediatricians. I don't even know what to ask them at a face-to-face interview.

I am a product of the military health care system. For those of you unfamiliar with military health care, when you make an appointment you basically get who you get, at least that's how it was when I was a kid. I was probably in my 20s before I knew that people picked their own doctors in the civilian world and saw the same doctor every time.

I have always had a hard time picking doctors for myself and my husband. This picking a doctor for my not-even-born baby seems monumentous and I don't really know what to do. Those of you who have done this before: How did you pick? What did you ask them? Were there any deal breakers for you?

Thanks for the advice. You guys are always such a help.

Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:53 pm

Lurker- Sit down and think what things are important to you. Some things myself and others have used to decide.These are things to ask doctors.
1. How do you feel about delayed vaccine schedule?
2. How do you feel about extended nursing?
3. How do you feel about co-sleeping?

Those where 3 questions I have had alot of friends ask their peds. You have to sit down and think which things are deal breakers for yourself. Moms vary. A few friends also asked about how a doctor felt about circumcision.

Steph. Mother of Eva-15,Jordan-10, Christopher-9, Abigail-6,and a angel son Joshua. Host of Pregnancy and Infant Lose board. Mummieeva@yahoo.com

Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:02 am

My pediatrician is a very close family friend so it was an easy choice for me.. He is also the most well known and best pediatrician in my area!

Ask the nurses that work in the pediatric ward in your local hospital who the best pediatricians are in your area. It's also good to hear what others in your area who have established pediatricians for their kids and can give good advice on who to use and who not to use.

As far as meeting the pediatrician and interviewing them, I've never heard of anyone doing that and haven't personally had to do that, sorry!

Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:57 am

I pretty much stuck wit the peds associated with the hospital I had my children at.

Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:14 am

Just so happens my pediatrician is still practacing, so that is who I use. We have a Children's Clinic here where, if your doctor isn't available, you see one of the almost 20 others. They are spread out over 6 or 7 different office locations too. It's really wonderful. I prefer that to a private practice doctor, because they can been seen at anytime, even on weekends. I would call the labor and delivery nurses and ask their opinion and start from there. Also, ask people you see with small children who tey recommend. They may tell you who NOT to pick, which would be helpful also.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:28 pm

the hospital i deliver at automatically sets parents up with their peds practice.. if you want someone else you have to take the extra steps to do so.. since I like the practice and it is like is less than half a mile from my home.. its a no brainer just to stick with them.

Fhillip (7/17/06)
Harrison (10/13/08)

Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:01 pm

Good question! (i have the same background so that was a bit of a wake up call for me as well "whatttt we can choose our own drs" lol

anyways, before my first was born, I knew I wanted to stick to the hospital where DH and I go to. so I searched for a list of pedi's on their website (they also have pics online)... this was my thought process:
- decide if I want a male/female pedi (My first is a girl and wanted a lady pedi... that was just my opinion ... though my own gyane is a guy. strange).
- I checked their reviews on health grades and etc website
- make a list of things that are important to you... now and even later. (good starting points to ponder about would be are you going to bfeed, how much of a pro/against of that they are. delayed vaccine schedule. office timings/hours. how close to work/home/daycare is their office. how they handle sick/regular visit kids (i.e do they have separate rooms to wait in). what do they do for ER services - which is the closest ER place. what about weekends. on call nurse. how many pedi are at that location (incase yours is out and has to be seen by someone else on a short notice). extended nursing. co sleeping. pacifier naah/yaay/ok/totally against it...... things like that)
- I then made a list of my questions and set up an appt to met with the pedi I had chosen (MOST insurances cover this initail visit... I forgot what its called... but call your insurance/pedi office and ask).
- DH and I went fro a 30 min "interview". I gave him the list of questions I wanted to ask and I "observed" the responses and how she responded". (strange again, I know. But i am not looking to do this again.
- we chose the second lady we interviewed. we wanted someone "younger" who could most likely be still practicing when my DD turns 18.

Good luck!

Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:04 pm

oh... and meeting them face to face and actually sitting down with them and talking makes A LOT of difference. me personally, we both loved the pedi at our first "interview". made the decision she was it. that was over 2 years ago and to this day, I stick to my opinion of "I love her". it is important to have the pedi and yourself on the same page (about discipline tactics, raising, food,etc also)