How to: Choose a Good Pediatrician

I admit, our first pediatrician was a bust…and we fired him because he refused to test AJ for H Pylori, something that AJ had (and was so riddled with that he still has after-effects now, 1.5 years after eradicating it).

I had taken the advice of a neighboring parent who loved this pediatrician and I thought he was going to be really good. He just did not have the time for us, nor the international experience, nor the patience to deal with AJ’s numerous issues. And, he sent us to specialists that gave him a kick-back but did nothing for us.

So, we searched high and low for our own special needs doctor and found a wonderful clinic 40 miles away. Was it worth it? Yes, every dog gone mile.

We found specialists at the University of Michigan to help us. We did it on our own. Was it worth it? Every minute I spent searching.

No thanks to the first doctor.

But, it just goes to show you how important it is to have the right doctor in the first place. Don’t just chose one because your friend likes him/her. And, don’t be afraid to fire him/her.

Our new doctor in Illinois does not have the best bedside manner but she gets the job done when it comes to colds and the flu. She handles those things and she takes her time with us each and every single time she sees us. The Pfieffer Treatment Center does everything else for us. So, I stick with her.

Here are some basic questions to ask from About.com and Parenting Ivillage.

For International Adoption please read this specific article from my Insurance Company, Caremark. I was surprised to see that they had information posted on what medical tests to run and what type of doctors to look for. Nonetheless, kudos to Caremark for a giant leap!

• Is the pediatrician on your insurance plan? If you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible, then be sure to ask how much each visit costs and maybe compare it to other pediatric offices in the area.
• Where are you located and do you have a satellite office?
• Do you offer same day sick appointments?
• Do you have any late or weekend hours?
• What happens if I need advice after hours? Is a doctor available on-call to talk to me?
• What hospitals is the pediatrician affiliated with? 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.
• Are there any extra charges for advice calls during the day, after hours advice calls, refilling medicines, or requests to fill out forms, etc.?
• How many doctors are in the office? Will I always see my own doctor?
• Are the doctors all board certified?
• How long is a typical appointment?
• Are there separate sick and well waiting rooms?

TANGIBLE ASPECTS

1. Is the doctor’s office conveniently located? I hope your child will not get very many illnesses, but when he does, sometimes a doctor’s office close-by can be one of the most important aspects of the practice.
2. How early does the office open, how late does it close — and do they have weekend/holiday hours? Evening hours may be absolutely necessary for you, especially if you are a single parent.
3. How are phone questions handled? Some doctors answer their calls immediately, while other have a “call hour” in which they answer all their calls. Some have their nurses answer the calls in consultation with the doctor. There are probably as many ways phone calls are handled as there are doctors, so be sure you are comfortable with it.
4. How long do you have to wait in the office? This can be one of the most frustrating aspects of going to the doctor. And the waiting time may vary widely, depending upon whether it is the cold- and-flu season; therefore, keep this in mind when you are asking. Ask the doctor or nurse directly. I would also ask the parents who go to that office.
5. Does the waiting room look nice and have enough toys to make the wait less painful?
6. How are bills handled? Some offices require some payment with each visit. Others will bill you. Much of the cost is dependent upon the type of insurance you have, but you should inquire about how this is handled.
7. Is the doctor board certified in pediatrics? To become board certified, a doctor must have completed four years of medical school, three years of pediatric specialty training and passed the board exam given by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The exam is taken every seven years for recertification.
8. Where does the doctor have hospital privileges? It would be optimal for the physician to have privileges where you will be delivering so she can see your infant from the very beginning. In addition, should your child need to be hospitalized, you would want to be comfortable with the hospital where your doctor attends.
9. If laboratory tests are needed, can they be done right in the office or will you have to go elsewhere to have them done?
10. How are urgent/emergency matters handled? Some doctors can handle most urgent matters in the office. Others will refer you to the emergency room. If you are referred to the ER, will your doctor meet you there or have the ER staff take care of it?
11. When your child is ill, do you call to make an appointment or just come to the office and be seen first-come-first-serve? There are pros and cons to both systems. Appointment making ensures your child will be seen shortly after you arrive, however, that appointment time may be later than you might like. Those who have first-come-first-serve ill visits usually do this in the morning, so your child will probably be seen earlier in the day; however, in the winter months when many are sick, you may arrive in the office at 8 a.m. only to be seen at 10:30 a.m.
12. Who covers for the physician when she is sick or on vacation? In small practices and practices which have several offices, the covering physician may be someone in a totally separate office who has never seen your child before, whereas, moderate-sized offices share call among the physicians within that office.

PHILOSOPHY

1. Breastfeeding: If you are very eager to breast feed or have strong feelings about how long you want to breastfeed, you will want a physician who knows a lot about the subject and is supportive.
2. Circumcision: It is your choice, so you want a doctor who will support your decision.
3. Special circumstances: Being a vegetarian, having specific religious beliefs, etc., will require both knowledge and understanding from the pediatrician.
4. Immunizations: Most pediatricians are very aware of the need for immunizations, but asking about their immunization rates would not be improper.
5. Antibiotics: When your child gets a cold which does not require antibiotics, you do not want a physician who is all too ready to give them to you for no good reason.