Questions for prospective pediatricians

[isabel]

Did you visit any pediatricians before your baby was born? If so, what did you ask them and what was most important to you in a provider?

[motzie]

We asked if they allowed non-vaxxed kids, and what her stance was on introducing peanut butter, hours and protocol for weekends/after hours.

[Deleted]

If you're planning to breastfeed, you could ask if they have a LC on staff.

[july]

I picked my pedi while I was in the triage room in labor. The nurse recommended her, so I went with it. Our pedi is pretty traditional. 

The only thing that has bugged me about pedis are the ones who will tell you tricks to prevent ear infections and they just don't work. We have seen a few at after hour pedi clinics and they all seem fine. There were a few we liked better, but not enough to switch. 

Important for me was ease of appointments, wait times, availability of after hour care/on call nurse. 

[6fsn]

I already new I wanted this pedi. Things I love that she and the practice offer:

Late hours and Saturday hours.
LC on staff
Separate sick room
A doctor that has advanced studies with learning disabilities

[VillainV]

We didn't get to pick our clinic (due to the level of military health coverage we have), but here's what I would ask:

1. Do they treat non-vaxxed kids?

2. Do they have a separate waiting room for sick kids vs. healthy kids in for well-kid check ups?

3. What kind of service can you get after-hours? Do they have an on-call number? Nurse?

4. What happens if you call with a question? Do you leave a message and a nurse gets back to you the same day? Do you talk to a nurse right away?

5. If it's a practice with multiple docs, will you always get to see "your" doctor? Will they book you with a different doc if yours isn't available?

6. Do they have walk-in hours for sick kids in the morning?

7. If both you and your spouse work, what hours do they have? (i.e.: can you make appointments for before or after work?)

[lulu21]

We wanted a small office so we're not seeing a different doctor every time. There's two Drs at our office. Our office is part of a bigger group. The group is open 365 a year which is nice. Like today I had to drive 20 min to an open office (vs our normal 5 min drive) but it's nice because they have all his information on the network.

[anna7602]

Jan 31, 2015 17:58:28 GMT -5 motzie said:

We asked if they allowed non-vaxxed kids, and what her stance was on introducing peanut butter, hours and protocol for weekends/after hours.

Is the peanut butter thing controversial? Or is this related to a family history of allergies.

To the OP, I was able to find out the answers to most of the questions posted above through our neighborhood list serve/FB group, so I didn't have to officially "interview" the pedi.when I moved temporarily and had to find DD a new pediatrician, situations came up that had never been an issue before, like doctors who prescribe antibiotics and x-rays for everything. That's not a problem at all in the practice we're with now, thankfully. But I wouldn't have known to ask about something like that before it came up.

[motzie]

Jan 31, 2015 19:39:32 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Jan 31, 2015 17:58:28 GMT -5 motzie said:

We asked if they allowed non-vaxxed kids, and what her stance was on introducing peanut butter, hours and protocol for weekends/after hours.

Is the peanut butter thing controversial? Or is this related to a family history of allergies.

I just wanted to make sure she wasn't going to argue with me over it. DH has a very mild allergy but I wasn't going to wait until DD was 3 to introduce. I am a believer in early introduction, that's all.

[thebreakfastclub]

I found what I wanted to know on-line. I was looking for Saturday hours, several doctors, same day appointment if needed.

I see whoever is available and it has been fine. I havent really gone outside of well visits though.

[Jalapeñomel]

I did not do this.

[auntie]

I asked a lot of silly FTM questions.

What I should have about-

How quick they were to refer if I asked. Very quick it turns out.

Do they have a call-in hour? No, they have an RN who can answer calls during hours.

Same day appointments for emergent issues? Yes, plus the have the office open weekends and holidays for a couple hours for emergencies.

Admitting privileges? At the local hospital and CHOP.

[whiskeyandwine]

Jan 31, 2015 21:41:39 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I did not do this.

I did not know this was a thing. 


:?

There's so much to learn! lol. 

The only question that has crossed my mind so far is, "Do you accept our insurance?" 

[speyedr]

DD sees DH's PCP. She is board certified in internal med and pediatrics. DH liked her, I went with him to an appt at the end of my pregnancy and liked her. I didn't ask many questions because we are pretty laid back and I'm not too concerned about a lot. I make my own educated decisions on most things and she agrees, but she also knows I'm a nurse.

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 1, 2015 12:22:53 GMT -5 whiskeyandwine said:

Jan 31, 2015 21:41:39 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I did not do this.

I did not know this was a thing. 


:?

There's so much to learn! lol. 

The only question that has crossed my mind so far is, "Do you accept our insurance?" 

Me too.  Lol

[Deleted]

We picked a guy right by our house (with privileges at my birthing hospital and the big hospital right by our house), a couple friends use and like him. The practice seema pretty insistent on vaccinating.

I figure we can change later if we don't like him.