Finding The Right Pediatrician

 

Know someone who needs to find a pediatrician for their kids? The idea can be a bit overwhelming for brand new parents or for families with children moving away to a new location. That’s because most parents value the trusting relationship they develop with their children’s health providers.

Pediatricians Allison S. McBride, M.D. and Lindsay A. Thompson, M.D. write in JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page that parents may not have much time to make such an important personal decision for themselves and their kids:

After the initial excitement settles, many parents find themselves researching the safest car seat, the best day care, or ways to understand their child’s behavior. From social media, friends, family, and the internet, information is almost endless about how to care for your child, keep them safe, and help them grow. It is thrilling and overwhelming, exciting and stressful. You will want to choose a clinician to help you navigate all of these issues, from common childhood illnesses to guiding your child through all their ages and stages, setting the foundation for them to become a healthy adult.

 

Parents and pediatricians see a lot of each other as their kids grow and develop rapidly — physically, cognitively, and emotionally — during the first 18-plus years of their lives. After all, Valencia Higuera observes, there’s a lot of ground to cover:

The nature of appointments will vary as your child becomes older, but they’ll have their first checkup within 5 days of delivery.

After the initial checkup, your doctor may schedule a 1-month appointment. Then they’ll see your baby at least every 2 months up until they’re 6 months old.

After 6 months, you’ll see your pediatrician every 3 months until your baby is 18 months old, and then every 6 months until 30 months old.

After this, your pediatrician will schedule wellness checks on an annual basis.

During these visits, your doctor will:

• complete a physical examination

• take measurements

• assess their development

• administer shots

• talk about health and safety

• answer any questions you have

 

Every wellness visit includes anticipatory guidance. This is advice about what’s to come developmentally for your child and how to help keep the child healthy and safe between visits.

 

To begin the search for a qualified and compassionate pediatrician, parents may wish to ask their own OB-GYN or primary care physician for a recommendation. “Where do you take your own kids,” is a fair question. Higuera advises asking family members and close friends for additional information:

• Do you feel rushed during your appointments?

• Is the office clean?

• Is the waiting room kid-friendly?

• Do you have to wait a long time to see the doctor?

• Are the office staff professional?

• Does the doctor explain things clearly?

• Is the doctor empathetic?

• Does the office return calls in a timely manner?

 

Choosing a convenient office location(s) that accommodates your family’s busy work, school, and recreational schedule is another important factor. Accessibility to public transportation might be a deal-maker; lack of adequate free parking might be a deal-breaker. Other questions about how the office operates might make it or break it, too:

• Does the office allow same-day or last-minute appointments?

• Are the office hours convenient for your schedule?

• Does the pediatrician offer evening and weekend hours?

• If it’s a group practice, will your baby see different doctors or the same pediatrician each time?

 

Higuera explains why finding a board certified pediatrician is important:

All pediatricians graduate from medical school, complete a residency program, and receive state licensing. But not all pediatricians are board certified.

Board certification is a voluntary process that requires additional training in pediatrics. Upon completion, doctors take an examination to become certified by The American Board of Pediatrics.

Board certification is a valuable tool because these pediatricians have demonstrated competency in:

• patient care

• professionalism

• communication skills

• medical knowledge

 

There are other questions parents should ask before deciding on the pediatrician they will depend on to care for their children:

• What hospital network do you use?

• Does your office have separate waiting areas for sick and healthy kids?

• How long is a typical checkup?

• Do you take my insurance?

• Where do you stand on topics important to me? These topics may include:

> immunization

> breastfeeding

> co-sleeping

> antibiotics

> circumcision

• Why did you choose pediatrics?

• Do you have any subspecialties?

• How far in advance do I need to schedule appointments?

• Do you respond to emails?

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides additional advice to help parents choose a pediatrician here.

Parents in search of dependable, trustworthy, and compassionate pediatricians can call (412) DOCTORS or visit the AHN Pediatrics website to schedule a visit with an AHN Pediatrics provider in their area.

 

(Peanuts by Charles Schulz / GoComics.com)

 

source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/10/31/finding-the-right-pediatrician/