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Most parents realize the importance of choosing the best pediatrician for you and your child. Most of us have been through the routine of asking all our friends for recommendations. Very diligent parents will visit the pediatrician's office, asking all the typical questions such as: What are your attitudes towards breastfeeding? How are phone calls handled? What insurance do you take? When and what immunizations are administered? What are your office hours?
These are all very important questions but there are also some other really important qualifications in choosing a pediatrician. In fact, much deeper issues than the questions we ask before a baby is born, and many things to consider other than the personality of the doctor. The following are some questions that you might not have thought of.
Does the doctor have privileges at the hospital where you are delivering your baby? Just because the doctor agrees to visit the hospital where you delivered and check out the baby, does not necessarily mean that he has staff privileges to practice there. This can become important if the baby has some sort of problem and needs to remain hospitalized. If your child needs to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and your doctor doesn’t have privileges at that hospital, he won’t be familiar with the facilities or the nursing staff. He will be able to treat the baby himself while he is at the hospital, but he won’t have standing orders with the nurses who also take care of the infant. What this means is that the nurses will only be able to treat the patient specifically as the doctor has written orders to do so - they can’t do anything on their own for the patient. For example, if your baby develops a diaper rash, the nurses will not be able to use a diaper rash cream on the baby, because they don't have written or standing orders from the doctor. Most of the staff doctors at the hospital would have standing orders to take care of these kinds of things, but if your doctor does not have staff privileges he would not. The doctor will have to fax over the orders to apply the diaper rash cream, or do it himself.
What hospital will they send your child to in case of a minor emergency? The children's hospital your doctor uses may be clear across town and that is where your child will be sent, even if there is an emergency room, at a hospital just minutes from your house. Make sure your pediatrician uses the hospital you prefer, and are most comfortable with.
Check out the front office and nursing staff. The front office and nursing staff of a doctor's office is almost as important as the doctor himself. Are the front desk people helpful and friendly? What are their billing procedures? Are appointments made with ease? What are the procedures for getting a copy of your child's chart and shot records? How are referrals handled? Does the office file claims directly with your insurance? When interviewing a new pediatrician, take the time to talk to the other medical staff in the office and get a feel for their personalities and level of experience. When you call the office with a question, it will most likely be a nurse that you speak to. Your relationship with them will be as important as your relationship with the doctor. When you bring your child in for a check-up or illness, the nurse will be the first to evaluate him and will be the one to administer those scary immunizations.
What are you preferences in practice size? You may like a large practice with several doctors and nurse practitioners or you may prefer a small office with only one doctor.
Usually in a large office the doctor's hours will be longer and possibly open on weekends too. You will most like have to be seen by other doctors or a nurse practitioner at times if your doctor is too busy.
If you want only one doctor seeing your child, it is best to stay with a small practice. Small practices offer more personalized care.
Choosing a pediatrician is such an important decision don’t figure out what is important to you after an emergency has occurred. Whatever you decide, develop and maintain a close relationship with your pediatrician and his office. They probably will be helping you make some of the most important decisions for your child.
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