How to Choose a Pediatrician
One of the most difficult things about moving to a new city is having to find a new health care team for the family. I tend to base my own choices of physicians on the recommendations of colleagues, and the personality characteristics of the doctor - or the relative comforts of the waiting areas - don't interest me very much, as long as the doctor is good at the job. Choosing a doctor for my kids is another matter. Not only do I want a competent pediatrician who comes highly recommended by colleagues, but I'm interested in finding a pediatric practice that is as comfortable for the kids as possible.
There are many criteria you can use when choosing a pediatrician. Your health plan may or may not limit your choices, but even if it does, you'll still likely have to pick a provider from their approved list. One of the best ways to learn whether a practice is a good fit for your family is to visit the practice itself.
How easy was it to get to the office? Could you park near the office? How friendly was the staff when you came in? How do you feel about the waiting facilities? Does the practice appear pleasing to children? Simply observing the practice in action can tell you a lot. Of course, you're also going to want to learn all about the doctors who practice there. Be sure to ask if it's possible to schedule an interview with a pediatrician in the practice to answer any specific questions (for a printable checklist of questions to ask, see my article "Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician").
Assuming I am happy with the doctors in a given practice, the aspect of a practice that is most important to me personally is the issue of communication. We've had enough cuts, ear infections, and high fevers for me to know that I want clear and open lines of communication with the pediatrician's office. I need to know at which times the practice phone is answered by staff, and how soon a nurse or doctor will return my call if I leave a message for them during office hours. I also want to know exactly what numbers to call if we need help outside of office hours and how long I can expect to wait in this situation. It's also important for me to know that I can get a quick resolution when we need things like prescription refills, immunization forms, and laboratory results.
Despite being part of a large university hospital system, the pediatric practice where I take my kids operates much like a stand-alone practice unfettered by the rigid infrastructure of the university system. The docs even call us at home to just check up on our kids when they're sick. I'm very comfortable having my kids in their care.
Related Topics: WebMD Physician Directory, Choosing a Doctor
Technorati Tags: pediatrician, choosingadoctor, moving, relocation
There are many criteria you can use when choosing a pediatrician. Your health plan may or may not limit your choices, but even if it does, you'll still likely have to pick a provider from their approved list. One of the best ways to learn whether a practice is a good fit for your family is to visit the practice itself.
How easy was it to get to the office? Could you park near the office? How friendly was the staff when you came in? How do you feel about the waiting facilities? Does the practice appear pleasing to children? Simply observing the practice in action can tell you a lot. Of course, you're also going to want to learn all about the doctors who practice there. Be sure to ask if it's possible to schedule an interview with a pediatrician in the practice to answer any specific questions (for a printable checklist of questions to ask, see my article "Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician").
Assuming I am happy with the doctors in a given practice, the aspect of a practice that is most important to me personally is the issue of communication. We've had enough cuts, ear infections, and high fevers for me to know that I want clear and open lines of communication with the pediatrician's office. I need to know at which times the practice phone is answered by staff, and how soon a nurse or doctor will return my call if I leave a message for them during office hours. I also want to know exactly what numbers to call if we need help outside of office hours and how long I can expect to wait in this situation. It's also important for me to know that I can get a quick resolution when we need things like prescription refills, immunization forms, and laboratory results.
Despite being part of a large university hospital system, the pediatric practice where I take my kids operates much like a stand-alone practice unfettered by the rigid infrastructure of the university system. The docs even call us at home to just check up on our kids when they're sick. I'm very comfortable having my kids in their care.
Related Topics: WebMD Physician Directory, Choosing a Doctor
Technorati Tags: pediatrician, choosingadoctor, moving, relocation
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