Choosing a good doctor for your children is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, and it is something you should approach and consider with the utmost care. Look for a pediatrician you know and trust instead of just beelining for anyone simply because they are a pediatrician or a general practitioner. To help you along this path, let us highlight some qualities to look out for and things to consider and keep in mind on the journey for the health of your children.
Two Options to Pick
First, you have to understand that there are two basic types of doctors to choose from when it comes to your family: family doctors and pediatricians. The biggest benefit of choosing a family doctor is that they are able to take care of, well, your whole family, so, for example, if both you and your child are sick, you can both go to the same doctor together. A family practitioner may also be more in tune with what is going on in your family and how it may affect your child’s health, drawing important links instead of merely prescribing pill after pill but missing the root of the issue. Choosing a pediatrician, on the other hand, means you are choosing a doctor whose entire training was specifically focused on taking care of children. Both types of doctors must complete a three-year residency program after finishing medical school; for a pediatrician, those three years are completely dedicated to the care of children. Still, your choice should ultimately hinge on the individual doctor and your relationship with him or her, not on what sort of residency program he/she attended. There are even more specific doctors to suit your needs; for example, if you are looking for an excellent paediatric dentist, you can easily find one by examining and evaluating all the options presented to you, with no filtering, research, or additional input required from you. This is about your children, so you want the very best to take care of them.
Is the Location Convenient?
Now we’ll look at some questions you should ask yourself before making a commitment. One of them should be that the office location is convenient. Babies typically see their pediatrician a number of times during their first year of life, maybe even every 2 to 3 months. Choosing a doctor close to your home, workplace, or daycare can prove a lot more convenient and save you a lot of time and energy. If you do not have your own vehicle, you can choose a doctor with offices that are easily accessible by public transportation, such as bus, metro, tram, etc.
Recommendations from Friends and Family
As previously stated, try going to someone you or someone you know already has experience with, so do not hesitate to ask around and get pediatrician recommendations from your family and close friends. If they have or have had a great relationship with their child’s doctor, you may also have a similar experience. It is vitally important that you and your child feel at ease and comfortable with the pediatrician, so consider making an appointment to meet the doctor and staff in person to form your own impressions. Ask questions and listen closely to their responses; this will tell you a lot about their style of practice and interaction.
Credentials and Experience
Again, these are not the standards you should exclusively look out for, but you should certainly keep the doctor’s credentials and experience in mind when looking for one. Not all pediatricians, for example, are board certified. Board certification is a voluntary process that requires additional pediatric training, and upon completion, doctors take an examination to become certified by the American Board of Pediatrics if they are in the USA. Board certification is valuable as it demonstrates that these pediatricians are competent in patient care, professionalism, communication skills, and medical knowledge. Again, this is not the only thing you should be thinking about, but it is obviously still not something to be completely ignored.
How Does the Practice Operate?
Consider how the office you are considering operates to ensure it aligns with your needs and preferences. Some of the questions may include whether the office allows same-day or last-minute appointments and whether the office hours are convenient for your schedule. Does the pediatrician offer evening and/or weekend hours, and if it is a group practice, will your child see different doctors or the same pediatrician each time? These questions should all help you reach your decision.
How Was the Introductory Visit?
The initial visit to the office should help you determine whether the doctor is right for your child. It is vital to choose someone with whom you are comfortable, as this will encourage open communication. Closely observe how the pediatrician interacts with your child. Do they show genuine interest in your child, or are they merely going through the motions? If your baby has unique issues, is your doctor familiar with these issues? Listening to your gut is highly important here. If you do not feel comfortable after the first visit, this is not the pediatrician for you, and you should just leave.
What to Expect?
A pediatrician may care for your child’s health from birth up to age 18, and during this time your child will have numerous “wellness visits” to check their physical and potentially mental development. The nature of the appointments will vary as your child gets older, but they will have their first check-up within 5 days of the delivery. During these visits, the doctor will complete a physical examination, take measurements, assess the child’s development, talk about health and safety, and answer any questions you may have.
Picking the right doctor to care for your child is incredibly important, and you should not make a decision hastily. Take all the time you need, examine everyone carefully, and weigh all the options to find the best pediatrician possible. Hopefully, you now have a good idea of what to look for when making your decision.