should I change pediatricians?

[marie3246]

When we moved a friend recommended this group of doctors. They are supposed to be one of the top in the area and I do like the doctor we saw but there have been a few issues I'm not sure if I should switch or not.

1. Her records were a pain to get to them, they said it was my old office and my old office said it was them. It eventually worked out but it was a pain.

2. I had her first appt with them and it was her 6 month. The night before she got a really bad raised bump on her face that just kept getting bigger. When I took her in the older doctor that I saw wasn't sure what it was so he brought in a younger one and the younger one said he thought bug bite. Wanted to give her some meds and for us to watch it. The older doctor disagreed and said he had seen a few others in the last two days that were getting lanced in the er. It was also on her cheek under her eye so he wanted to be sure and sent us to the PEDs ER. We went, it was pretty scary, dh took off work etc. Once we got there, the doctors were good but where like ehhhh why did he send you here for a bug bite?? And gave us meds and told us to monitor her. But we had to stay for 4 hrs so they could monitor her first dose. It was the same meds the younger doc wanted to give us. The whole thing ended up costing us 1k. I would rather be safe than sorry, but I also don't want to be running to the er for expensive treatments unless its really necessary.

3. She got the 1st part of her flu shot at 6 months. Then the second one I had to call in a month to take her back in. They never called to follow up and make sure I'm on schedule for appts. So if I forget that's it. I have been calling and they say they are out of the flu shot for under 3 yr olds. OK fine, they will call when they have it. Its now been almost 2 months. I called yesterday and they still don't have it. Said its a nation wide shortage from the manufacturer. They said no one can get it.

I called 2 other local PEDs who have it. And our old one who has it.

Would you switch? Im conflicted bc I do like the doctors and they do spend a lot of time with you when you have an appt. They have a nice online portal and its really easy to make appts. If I do stay we might see the younger doctor but I'm not sure we should stay somewhere that doesn't have the ability to get the flu shot...

[marie3246]

Geez sorry that was long.

[Ashley&Scott]

It doesn't really sound like you like them or are comfortable with them. So yes I would switch.

[sent]

I did read there is a shortage. So they may not have ordered a lot previously and are trying to get more and now they can't. The others might have stocked up before the shortage.

I'd stick with the younger doc for one more visit and see how it goes. Anywhere new you go is going to take an appointment or two to see if you like them as well.

[hermione]

1) wouldn't bother me. These things happen and it's resolved.

2) I'd schedule all my appointments with he younger doc and avoid the older one for sick visits if possible.

3a) Yes, it's your responsibility to schedule appointments.

3b) There is a shortage. Will your old pedi still give it to her?

[ECB]

I don't see how #1 plays into this.  You don't seem to know where the issue was. 

Same with #3.  I've never had either of the pedi practices we go to call us to remind us to get DSs shots.  Perhaps others can chime in on this, but I wouldn't expect this.

#2 is the only issue that I might consider leaving.  But then again, who is her actual doctor?  If you aren't comfortable with the older one, ask to be swtiched to someone else.

[redheadk]

I think you have unreasonable expectations re: #3 and don't see #1 as an issue since you don't know what happened. As for #2, some people prefer a very cautious, conservative dr and some people do not. Nothing wrong with having a preference! The older dr doesn't jive with my style so I'd look for a new pedi.

I kind of hate basing my opinion on older vs. younger, but that's the only descriptor you gave so I used it. I wouldn't have issue with him based on his age, just on his style.

[thebreakfastclub]

If you don't like them, I would switch. If I had to follow up in 30 days, I would make that appointment before leaving so I was on the books.

My pedi offered 2 full weekends with flu shots available from 10a-2p and no shortages were mentioned.

[Deleted]

1. Wouldn't bother me. Getting medical records transferred is often a huge PITA. It just is.

2. Eh, I know this sucked but I think this sort of thing could happen anywhere. I would just try to see the younger guy.

3. I dont know of any office that would call to remind you about an appt. It is std practice for babies to get one dose of the flu vaccine and then a second a month later when it is their first time receiving it. I just booked the girls appointment for the follow up second dose on my way out from the first. And apparently there is a shortage. There was just a post about it yesterday and lots of people chimed in that there has been an issue with them.

But, bottom line if you aren't comfortable for whatever reason, you should switch. You will see a lot of them over the years and you want someone you are comfortable with.

[marie3246]

Ok thanks everyone. I will stick with them a bit more. I didn't think each issue in itself was a problem, but just all together I wasn't thrilled. With number 1, I don't know where the issue was, but my old office is really on top of things. I had to call the new office many times to get it taken care of and it was just a pain. It did get done so that is ok.

As far as appt reminders, I guess I was just used to my old office had a regular schedule of when you were supposed to take the baby in and shot schedule etc. They made the appointments for me when I was leaving and called the day before to remind. This office doesn't do any of that. So as of right now I have no idea if I should be scheduling another appointment for her and when. The flu shot is just a walk in when they have it by a nurse, so not a regular appointment. They said I can schedule appts when I want, but there doesn't seem to be a standard schedule. Maybe it was just the nurse I was asking questions to who wasn't familiar with the schedule. I guess I need to call my insurance to see what appointments are covered.

[dragonfly08]

If you're not comfortable, you switch. Doesn't matter if the issues are legitimate or not.

That said, none of the things you listed are, by themselves, red flags for me.

Records are a PITA. I've had trouble with multiple docs, mine and my kids, over the years. I wouldn't assume it's this office. Even if it is, a lot of docs outsource their record keeping so it's a separate company they contract with who handles copying, delivery, acceptance of new files, etc.

The bite, it was one time, erring on the side of caution. My younger DD had a lump that looked like a bug bite at first. Turned out to be a hemangioma under her eye that had us seeing multiple specialists just to be safe. So that one can go either way. I'd wait to see if they were overly cautions in other areas before passing final judgement.

And the flu shot issue is real. It's not a shortage so much as a delay in shipment...all doses are expected to get out eventually according to The Wall Street Journal article I read. But your doc may have run out of the supply s/he ordered. Doesn't mean there's an issue if other docs still have some...could be they've had less demand or ordered more doses early on.

No doc I've ever seen follows up with appointment reminders. Getting in for needed vaxes, check ups, etc. is pretty much always on the patient.