How to Choose a Pediatrician

Choosing a pediatrician for your new baby can be a daunting task. It should not be left until your due date. You should start your quest for a pediatrician by the beginning of your third trimester. There are several factors you must consider before deciding on a doctor for your baby. You need to know about your insurance coverage and any limitations your health care plan might impose. You should also start to compile a list of potential candidates from friends and family members as well as any professional recommendations you might “hear through the grapevine.” Before finalizing your decision, you need to set up an interview process with your pediatrician and find out the answers to some very important questions.

• What are the office hours?
• Who else is in the practice and how do they handle routine and emergent doctor visits?
• How does the practice handle weekend and evening hours?  Does your doctor have privileges at the Children’s Hospital and does he/she admit patients there?
• How lab tests are handled; are they performed in the office or do you have to travel elsewhere?
• What are the payment policies?
• What are the policies regarding referrals to specialist in the event that your child needs additional care?
• What are the pediatrician’s views on phoning in prescription medications and under what circumstances would this be practiced?
• Is the office clean and are the staff members friendly?
• Do you feel like the doctor takes time and listens to you or do you feel like you are being rushed through the visit?
• And most importantly, do they give our stickers or such rewards to the children after each visit to the doctor?