When it's time to find a pediatrician for your child, it's important to ask the right questions. The following will help get you started.
1. Child Care Philosophy
One of the most important things to verify is that the doctor will respect your parenting philosophy. This includes subjects like homeschooling, breastfeeding, and the use of alternative therapies, to name a few. If the doctor seems dismissive about something that is important to you and your family, you and your child will probably be happier with another doctor. If the doctor is open, positive, or familiar with your philosophy, then they may be the right choice.
2. Availability
Availability is a major consideration, especially if you are a working parent that needs to bring your child in for appointments on the weekend or in the evenings. Always verify that the office hours will match with your schedule. It's also helpful if the office provides some after-hours availability, such as a 24-hour nurse line or the ability to set up online or phone appointments for issues where the child may not need to come in but you need advice.
3. Practice Details
There are different ways to set up a practice. Ideally, the pediatrician will be part of a group office so that you will have access to doctors with different specialties should the need arise. For example, it's handy to be able to visit the same pediatrician's office for sports medicine following an injury instead of having to trek across town to see a specialist. Even so, verify that you will be assigned a dedicated pediatrician from the group. You also don't want to see a different doctor each time for general visits.
4. Special Need Services
If you have a child with special needs, such as on the autism spectrum, it is vital that you choose a pediatrician and office that has experience. They will be able to provide more targeted services for your child, and they may also have protocols in place to make visits easier. For example, if your child has a sensory overload disorder, the office may have protocols in place to take you straight to the exam room upon arrival so your child isn't overwhelmed by everyone in the waiting room.
5. Technology Access
It helps to be able to access your child's health records and lab results at any hour of the day, so choose a pediatrician with an online patient portal that allows you to do just that. It's also helpful if you have email access for contacting the office with non-emergency questions. Online appointment scheduling is another nice tech benefit to ask about.
Contact a pediatrician's office, such as BETTER FOOT CARE LLC, with any further questions.
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