Pregnancy
A Pediatrician's Guide to Choosing the Right Pediatrician
MD Daniel Neuspiel
07/16/2001
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.
- American Board of Pediatrics: www.abp.org
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.Page 1 of 2 | Next >


