Pediatrician meeting

[stinybean]

I searched this topic and didn't find anything on it. Tonight DH and I are meeting with a pediatrician group, what are some questions you might ask? I'm so bad at preparing for things like this & I know it's important, but I haven't a clue. Please help!

[bendherova]

1. hours practice is open and after hours/contact policies

2. vaccination policies (I'd be looking for one that advocates for vaccines per the AAP schedule with almost no exceptions)

3. ease of making appointments for sick and well child appts (like how long is a the wait? Can you get a same day appt with a sick baby?

4. availability of Lactation/nursing support?

I know there are more, these were the tops for us.

[missk0411]

If you have strong opinions about some issue (vaccines, circumcision), I would ask what their thoughts and policies are.
If you need a specialist, who do they refer to? We live between two major hospital centers, and they will refer to either, and are familiar with both, though they are affiliated with one.
What are their sick child visits like? Ours has weekday sick child visits every evening from 5-8 and Saturday from 8-12, and they basically won't turn you away. It is awesome. Some places only have one or two a day and it's a phone lottery starting at 8 am to get one of them.
If your child has emotional challenges or learning issues later on, are they able to work with those? Do they assess for them? Again, who do they refer to?
Are there male and female pediatricians in case your child expresses a preference when he or she is a little older (or sooner, I guess)?
Can you email them questions?
Is there an after hours on call service?  Ours goes to a RN line for triage and advice.

[silv3rlining]

Good luck. I don't really have any suggestions as we did not meet with any before hand. Initially we were going to be assigned one (because of DHs job). But there were some issues bc of sequestration and not being able to release DS from the hospital that one of the nursery nurses gave me the name of a practice that took our insurance and that's where we ended up. I'm not sure what to do when we move in a few months.

[holliberry28]

Great suggestions so far, thank you!

I have one more, what would think it's more important to find a doctor near your home, or one with a group practice? I worry with one doctor it'll be more difficult for after hours availability, etc. however, the group practices are both 20-30 min drive away.

[noname83]

I googled a list before going to mine. In addition to some of the things already mentioned, I asked about their feelings on prescribing antibiotics (some doctors will prescribe at the sign of a sneeze, some take a more let's see if this can heal on its own approach with things like ear infections, etc). I want to make sure I'm not going anywhere that leans too heavily on either side of the spectrum.

Here's my list:

• How long have you been in practice?
• What are your views on: breastfeeding (and what kind of support do you offer), circumcision, vaccinations, antibiotics 
  
• Do you have children?
• How long does a typical check-up last?
• What are the office hours? What evening or weekend hours are available?
  
• How are emergencies handled?
  
• Is there a call-in policy?
  
• How often would I see other doctors in the practice?
  
• Do you have any subspecialties?
  
• When the doctor's not on call, who covers?
  
• Does the office respond to e-mail?
  

[ladysif]

holliberry28, in that case I'd probably still go with the group practice, but that's just my preference and 20-30 minutes isn't too bad, ours is 20 minutes but that's the norm for me. You're more likely to get sent to the ER or urgent care with just one doctor and it always seems the worst stuff happens after hours; the group practices are really great about getting you in same day and being available over the phone at night.

stinybean I think everyone else covered it. We discussed circumcision because we knew we were having a boy. A big part of it was just getting a feel for personalities. I am 100% pro group practice because I would much rather be able to go to our pediatrician's office than the ER or urgent care. We have had SEVERAL same day appointments over the past two years - RSV, hand foot and mouth, ear infections, etc. - and never once had to go to the ER or urgent care instead, they always fit us in.

[dmoney]

I do not have time to type my list right this second but I have a list of 15 or so questions I can type out here if you would like me to stinybean

[stinybean]

Thank you ladies! I really appreciate your help! You definitely came up with things I wouldn't have thought of and reminded me of others I should have. Thank you thank you thank!

[stinybean]

dmoney if you get a chance I would love to read your list. I can always call them or ask another time.

[dmoney]

Apr 21, 2015 15:10:17 GMT -5 stinybean said:

dmoney if you get a chance I would love to read your list. I can always call them or ask another time.

I just looked for my list since i have some downtime right now at work and I left it at home.. I will post tonight, I can PM it to you or post it here if other ladies would like to see what I have come up with.  We havent met with the Pediatrician yet, we have that scheduled for May 8th, but my list is always growing!

[stinybean]

Thanks dmoney and @demanda88

[dmoney]

My list:

1. Are you certified by the American Board of Pediatrics? Are you a member of the AAP?
2. How long have you been practicing for?
3. Do you have any specific specialized training?
4. Within this practice are there any specialists?
5. What Hospitals are you associated with?
6. What are your practices normal operating hours? Do you offer evening and weekend hours?
7. Do you offer same day appointments for sick or emergency visits?
8. How long does a typical checkup appointment last?
9. Do you have a recommended vaccination schedule?
10. Does the office have separate waiting rooms for sick and well visits? Are there separate entrances for these waiting rooms?
11. Do you see patients over the age of 1 that are not vaccinated?
12. What is your stance on breastfeeding? When/if do you believe in supplementing formula for breastmilk?
13. If mothers are able to breastfeed, when do you suggest they start to wean the baby from breast milk?
14. Do you have a lactation specialists on staff? If not on staff, is there one that you can recommend?
15. At what age do you recommend starting Solids?
16. Do you take calls/ Questions on non-medical inquiries? ex: Sleep training, potty training
17. Do you offer ear piercing in office? IF yes at what age?


Its a long list, but thats my list!

[dmoney]

Another one I just thought of.

* Does the office have a patient portal to send secure emails back and forth between the doctors, or to see medical records or test results?