A Pediatrician's Guide to Choosing the Right Pediatrician

MD Daniel Neuspiel
07/16/2001

Maybe you are expecting your first child. Maybe you have moved to a new area, or have changed insurance coverage, or are unhappy with your current care. There are lots of reasons why parents seek out a new pediatrician. And whatever your reason, it's important to choose one as soon as possible and not wait for your child to be ill. During pregnancy, it is wise to find a pediatrician by the beginning of the third trimester, or seventh month, of gestation.

Finding The Right Pediatrician: Where Do You Start?

You should plan to meet with several pediatricians before choosing one, so be sure to give yourself enough time. Begin by compiling a list of candidates to interview. You may get their names in a number of ways:

• Ask friends, family, coworkers and neighbors you trust.
• Contact your insurance plan for eligible pediatricians; many plans have Internet Web sites.
• Call local hospitals, many of which have referral services.
• If you are expecting, ask your obstetrician. You may also ask your primary care physician or another physician you trust.
• Some Internet sites that may be useful in finding pediatricians in your community include:
  • American Board of Pediatrics: www.abp.org
    
  • American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org
    
  • American Medical Association: www.ama-assn.org
    
  • The Health Pages: www.thehealthpages.com
    
  • The Doctor Finder: www.docfinderplus.com
    
  • Some of these sites have information about the pediatrician's training, interests, office hours, and accepted insurance plans.

Setting up an Interview

Most pediatricians offer free interviews, although some may charge for this preliminary visit. If there is a fee, ask if it can be applied to a future office visit, since your insurance will not usually cover this charge. Be wary of pediatricians who do not offer interviews.

Screening begins with the initial telephone call:

Before deciding to visit the pediatrician, you may gather some useful information from the office staff, including:

• What are the doctor's office hours?
• Does the pediatrician accept your insurance?
• Are laboratory facilities on site? If not, where would your child be sent for these?
• Is screening for hearing and vision done in the office?
• Don't forget to notice how easy or difficult it is to get through on the telephone. Also, decide if you are more comfortable in a small office practice, or in a larger group practice.

Meeting the Pediatrician

It is useful to come to the interview with a list of questions. Be prepared not only to listen to the responses, but also, to pay attention to the way you feel about your interaction with the doctor.