5 Easy Steps : Choosing a Pediatrician Checklist
With busy lives, we all want to find convenient, local pediatricians, but also someone who is a genuinely good physician, spends enough time with you, and beyond. But when choosing a pediatrician, there are some extra characteristics to pay attention to.
Here are 5 easy steps to consider when choosing a pediatrician…
STEP 1: Word of mouth
In the modern days of online reviews, digital everything, people often forget about the importance of word of mouth. Talking to friends and family, those who know us and who we trust, is one of the best ways to pick a great pediatrician. Friends and family can give unique insights for your child’s needs like whether the office is busy and loud or quiet and calm. Different personalities will respond to different environments. Social media may be able to also give insights as well, as this tends to be more first-hand feedback.
STEP 2: Check to see how busy the practice is
This can be a tricky aspect in picking a doctor. So many great doctors also have very busy practices. It can be difficult to get an appointment or near impossible when your child becomes sick. Sometimes the doctor simply cannot take new patients. Having a good relationship between you, your child, and your pediatrician makes a huge difference in your child’s ability to handle the scary parts like shots, tests, and beyond. Which means being able to see that doctor, your child has learned to trust. That trust is key in making the hard stuff less hard. And this means prioritizing a doctor with the time available to be available for your child.
STEP 3: Is it a fit?
Similar to some of the items mentioned in step 1, you really want to make sure your doctor is a good fit for your approach to care and for your child’s comfort. This is true for the doctor’s personally as well as the environment fostered in the office. Did the office staff take the time to make the environment more kid friendly? Is it still clean and professional? Are the staff members friendly and engage both you and your child? I know some of this can seem less important, but think of it from your child’s perspective. You are asking your child to allow someone to poke and prod their mouth, ears, and nose. So picking the right fit can make all the difference in a good experience for you and your little one(s).
STEP 4: Communication
Being able to freely and comfortably communicate with your doctor is critical for any patient. Your doctor needs to be able to frame what is happening in ways your child can understand. There are so many different types of pediatricians, yet great ones understand age-appropriate words and concepts. They can adjust so your child can set their own expectations and understand what is happening or about to happen. This is an essential part of trust-building. As a parent, this is still important for you too. You are responsible for advocating for your child. Feeling like you cannot ask questions, are pressured into accepting the orders, leaving confused or unsure…these are all stressful. Your pediatrician needs to be a highly effective communicator for you and your child.
STEP 5: The office
As much as we all focus on the doctor, the office impacts the experience just as much. Is the office staffed appropriately or are you always met with an unreturned voicemail? How does the office handle after-hours calls? Is it an answering service that can get in touch with the pediatrician or is it an unanswered call? How well does the office handle emergencies? These “how” questions can be key differentiators in picking a pedestrian. Being able to speak to your pediatrician is key to your child’s care and safety. Make sure to ask these questions in order to understand how the office operates, the services involved, and how those nights and weekends really play out in reality.
Summing it all up…
These 5 easy steps are all about considering your child’s unique needs when picking a pediatrician. Finding the right balance for you, your child, or children can make such a difference in the overall experience and quality of care.