Whether you're pregnant and looking for your baby's first pediatrician, or you recently moved and are looking for a new pediatrician for your brood, it's not a simple task. You don't just look on the map and choose the nearest doctor. Oh no. There are a bazillion things to consider, and I hope my list will help you find the perfect match for your family! If I missed any key points, please do comment and let me know so I can add them!!
Actions to take when seeking out a Pediatrician:
- search online for reviews - check yelp, local Facebook parenting groups, etc
- come up with a list of possibilities and schedule a consultation with each practice (most offer this free of charge, some even have meet & greet events)
- come up with a list of "must", "ideal", and "not important" items (our list below can help you narrow it down)
Policies and Factors to Consider:
- Proximity - How far is their office from you? Is it easily accessible on foot or by public transportation when you have a stroller with you? If you'll be driving, do they have parking available?
- Insurance - Obviously you'll want to make sure they take your insurance! If you don't have insurance, find out what kind of payment options they have.
- Access to Second Opinion - is there more than one doctor in the office at a time, allowing for a quick consultation amongst doctors, or a second opinion on an urgent matter?
- Vaccines - Some practices follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) Vaccine Schedule strictly, others allow for spacing vaccines out (without delaying them), and others allow delaying or skipping some/all vaccines. (Important note: It is very important for the health of your child, your family, and the community at large to fully vaccinate every child and adult, on time. Some cannot be vaccinated due to serious health conditions, and for some vaccinations do not provide full immunity, which is why it's SO SO SO important for the rest of us to be vaccinated. PLEASE do not take this lightly!!!)
- Antibiotics - Newer thought is that antibiotics aren't needed in some conditions they were previously automatically prescribed for, and overuse can cause more harm than good for that individual (gut health) and the community (antibiotic resistant bacteria). Each doctor and practice will have a slightly different stance on this, and it's worth considering - how do they handle ear infections, for example - automatic antibiotics or wait and see policy.
- Waiting Rooms - do they separate well and sick patients into separate waiting rooms, or separate appointment times? How do they clean the rooms, waiting areas and toys?
- Office Hours - are they "working parent friendly" with hours available on evenings and weekends?
- After Hours Access - Can you call a doctor or nurse with an urgent question? Can you text a photo for advice? Do they use a answering service where you leave a message and a doctor calls you back?
- Flu Testing - Some practices do not test for flu, they simply treat it as any viral infection - stay home, rest, hydrate. If you go to one of these practices and want to know if your child has the flu, you'll have to take them to Urgent Care to be tested. This is a deal breaker for some families, and no biggie for others.
- Blood Work and other Testing - Many practices do blood work and other basic tests in-house, and others will require you to make a separate appointment at a lab.
- Breastfeeding Support - Do they support breastfeeding or push formula? Do they have a Lactation Consultant in-house?
- Additional Services - Do they have any extra offerings for patients? For example, CPR classes, new parent meetups, nutritionist, expertise with children with special needs, support for single parent with multiple children (can a nurse come in to assist)?
- Access to Records - Do they have an easy-to-use online system where you can fill out forms before an appointment, get text or e-mail reminders for upcoming appointments or the need to schedule one, and see all previous labs and information about your children?
- Hospital Affiliation - Will your pediatrician have the ability to visit or care for your child if admitted into a hospital?
- Wait Times - What is their average wait time (ask the practice and word of mouth from others who use them)?
- Office Staff & Paperwork - What is the response time when calling the office or requesting forms (for school, camp, work permit, etc)? Do they charge extra for forms or sending records? How friendly and helpful are office staff over the phone, email, and in-office? What is the process for obtaining referrals? How is billing handled?
- General Vibe - How do you feel about the doctor(s) and office. Is it clean, modern, friendly? Do they answer your many questions without a condescending tone. Do you feel like this is someone you could trust and have open discussions with regarding your child(ren)'s health?
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