Pediatrician WWYD?

[rquinlin]

I'll probably post something similar in the dump, but that's because I really need some opinions here. Here's my story:

We have a great pedi for DD that I absolutely LOVE. We saw her once this fall for DD when she had strep, but the other 2 times she had it we went to the local family clinic in our small town. Her pedi is in the city over an hour away and she didn't become ill until late afternoon. My sister, who has a 4 mo, also is using the same pediatrician. I had lunch with her yesterday and she said she's having problems getting her son in to see her. She can't get him in for his 4 mo check up until 6 mo. Apparently Dr. W is only taking patients 12 hrs a week right now. There are several reasons behind this and it's all really sad. Her husband passed away a little less than a year ago and left her with his 3 kids. (I'm not sure if BM just isn't in the picture or if she has also passed.) Then about 6 mo ago Dr. W was diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister is in a bind, because she wants to go to another pedi but none of the best doctors in town will take her since her son is already going to Dr. W and they share hospital rotations together. It's some sort of professional courtesy thing.

Here's my question: Since LO has not been seen by anyone yet, I can get her in with a different pediatrician before she's born. I know of another great one that I'd be okay with using, but is one of the ones who won't take her if Dr. W sees her first. He actually was the one on call for their group when DD was born and saw her in the hospital. So I've met him and like him and know several people who've used him. If I do this, I can keep my FX they'll take DD1 afterwards due to being siblings and tell them I've been taking her elsewhere any ways (which I have). Or I may end up with different pedis for my girls. Or I can wait this out and hope things get better for Dr. W and things get back on track with her practice. I hate to jump ship on her, but I have to look out for my girls, especially LO who needs to be seen way more often than DD1. So, WWYD?

[chilibeansm0m]

Errrr that's tough. I feel like you should take your new lo to the new pedi and hold out hope they'll take your dd as well at one point. I totally don't know how this works- so forgive me- kaiser has brainwashed me.

When dd was born i was determined to get her in to my old pedi. I was told by several people that he was not accepting new patients. I insisted i wasn't new and wanted her to be seen by him. He had to approve it.

Do you think the new pedi would approve dd?

You officially have me worried if our pedi will take ds when he is born. Add this to my list for him next week!

[rquinlin]

I have no idea if or when he would take DD1. That's part of the problem.

[MauiBliss]

I don't know. I honestly think I would probably at least try the new pedi? I don't know. This is a hard one.

[whitfry]

Is your original pedi even accepting new clients? The best pedi in my town isnt taking anyone right now, so I'm wheeling and dealing and name dropping like my life depends on it to get in with her. With your original pedi cutting back her hours it seems strange she would accept brand new patients.

In your situation, I would go with the new person and hope to transfer your DD to that practice.

[chunkymonkeylvr]

I would choose to go with a new pedi. She isn't going to be as attentive as you need for your family. I would also work on getting your DD through your new LO. That's terrible though for her family.

[rquinlin]

My original pedi will take LO, I called months ago. Plus she's "grandfathered" due to being siblings. I'm kinda hoping to use reverse grandfathering to get DD1 in with the new pedi if that's the direction we take.

[thenetwork]

I think the new pedi is probably a good idea, but I can understand your hesitation, especially with the uncertainty surrounding whether a new pedi will take DD1.

We also have a pediatrician for DS that I love, love, love. We have moved since DS was born and his office isn't really convenient anymore, but there's no way I'm taking my kids somewhere else. His schedule gets booked up too. When that happens, we're offered the choice of a later appointment (I.e. 4 mo appointment a few weeks late) or we're offered an on-time appointment with another pedi at the practice. If you really like her, maybe that's an option that could make it more feasible for you to stay?

[rquinlin]

Jan 20, 2015 15:28:27 GMT -5 thenetwork said:

I think the new pedi is probably a good idea, but I can understand your hesitation, especially with the uncertainty surrounding whether a new pedi will take DD1.

We also have a pediatrician for DS that I love, love, love. We have moved since DS was born and his office isn't really convenient anymore, but there's no way I'm taking my kids somewhere else. His schedule gets booked up too. When that happens, we're offered the choice of a later appointment (I.e. 4 mo appointment a few weeks late) or we're offered an on-time appointment with another pedi at the practice. If you really like her, maybe that's an option that could make it more feasible for you to stay?

She's the only one in her practice. That's pretty common here. They just band into groups to share on call rotations at the hospitals. Most of the best ones are in her group and they won't take each other's patients away. Which I can totally respect.

[atangiblewish]

That's very sad that she's going through so much. However, if it were me, I'd switch. Only because it's important that the kiddos get seen during the regular well checkups...as well as for last minute illnesses. Since she has such limited hours right now, I would help lighten her load and go to the new Pedi. I'm sure the original Dr already foresees that this is going to happen. Good luck in what you decide.

[jessuh]

A new pedi. Your daughter will need to be seen frequently in the first few months and I wouldn't want to risk not being able to get in. I would try to get both kids in the same practice if possible. I know it's a really sad situation, but it isn't your fault. You need to look out for you and yours especially when it comes to health