Every adult needs a primary healthcare provider, and the same is true for children. While children can be seen by family medicine doctors, and nurse practitioners and physician assistants who take care of children, the pediatrician is a children’s primary care specialist. Pediatricians specialize in children’s health, including normal growth milestones as well as illness, developmental problems and mental health. Kids have different physiological, nutritional, and developmental concerns than adults, and they change drastically from infancy through adolescence. Pediatricians know how to deal with it all.
The moment a new baby is born, they need a health provider (in fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends seven well visits during a baby’s first year, including one just a few days after birth), so it’s smart to start looking for one several months before the baby’s due date. It’s important to give this decision some serious thought, since the pediatrician you choose can have a lasting impact on your child. In fact, early childhood health can shape mental and physical health for life.
Thankfully, there are some clear tips that parents and guardians can follow to ensure that the person caring for their child is qualified and able to meet all of their needs.
Consider location
If your pediatrician lives an hour away, not only are you more likely to skip necessary checkups, but you’ll also be in a stressful situation if an emergency arises. Kids require multiple checkups per year even without any health concerns (especially during that first year), so you’ll want to find a location that’s near your home, work or your child’s daycare. If you don’t drive, make sure you choose someone who is accessible via public transit.
While proximity is very important, if you live in an area without any good pediatrician options nearby, you may need to accept a longer drive to get your child the care they need. It’s a trade-off, but better care may be worth the inconvenience in some cases.
Consider who recommended the pediatrician
Getting a referral from a trusted source is always great — the vetting has been done for you! But when it comes to choosing a pediatrician, it’s important to ensure the recommendation is coming from a source you can trust.
People whose pediatrician recommendations you should trust include:
- Your ob-gyn
- A family member
- A close friend
People who may not have a complete understanding of what you’re looking for, and whose recommendations may deserve some more scrutiny include:
- Acquaintances/people you don’t know very well
- Contacts on social media
- Contacts who refer you to their friend
Review the doctor’s experiences and credentials
All pediatricians have extensive schooling, including four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, and three years of residency. Some pediatricians also spend another two to six years training in a subspecialty. However, there are several additional credentials you can look for to ensure the pediatrician you choose is top-notch:
- Board certification: Becoming board-certified is a voluntary process that requires additional training in pediatrics, and culminates in an exam to become certified by The American Board of Pediatrics. A board-certified pediatrician has demonstrated competence in patient care, professionalism, communication skills, and medical knowledge.
- AAP membership: If a doctor belongs to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it indicates that they adhere to the organization’s guidelines and standards.
- FAAP listing: This title indicates that a doctor is an AAP member and is board certified.
Pay attention to their office environment
Often, you can visit a pediatrician’s office before your baby is born. Look out for these elements:
- Professionalism: Is the office clean? Are you kept waiting for a long time? Does the staff feel disorganized? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the doctor might not be the best fit.
- Telehealth services: Make a note of whether or not the office offers any telehealth services alongside in-office visits, as this could be convenient for you and your family in the future.
- Bedside manner: The way a doctor describes a health issue and your options as the caregiver of a child can make a big difference in not only patient experience, but also the choices you make. You want a pediatrician who discusses things in a clear and compassionate way, leaves room for questions and doesn’t make you feel rushed.
Interview possible pediatricians ahead of time
Many pediatricians set aside time to meet with prospective parents, and this is something you should definitely take advantage of if you can.
Important questions to ask a potential pediatrician include:
- How easy is it to get an appointment?
- How long is a typical checkup? What about wait times?
- Do you take my insurance?
- What hospital network are you affiliated with?
- How do you work with other providers/specialists?
Parenting also requires making important healthcare decisions. Ask them for their stance on:
- Immunizations
- Breastfeeding
- Co-sleeping and sleep training
- Antibiotics
- Circumcision
Do your research
Looking for pediatricians through online databases is a great place to start, because right off the bat, you can filter for certain criteria. This ensures you’re only considering pediatricians who take your insurance, are in your area and have positive ratings.
ZocDoc has helpful search functions for finding potential pediatricians who meet your initial search criteria.
Review their contact policy
Take a look at the office hours to make sure that appointments are available during times that work for your family. If you don’t have a traditional work schedule, you may need to find an office that offers evening or weekend appointments.
You’ll also want to find out if they’re difficult to reach on certain days or during certain hours — and if so, look elsewhere. Pediatricians’ offices should always be reachable in the case of an emergency, so find out if there’s an after-hours phone line or on-call nurse available 24/7, as well as the option for same-day or urgent appointments.
Another thing to consider is whether they’re reachable via email or an online portal. If online communication works best for you, this may be important.
Trust your gut
Beyond any concerns about insurance or where someone did their residency, one of the most important factors in choosing a pediatrician is your gut feeling. Notice how you feel when you’re in the pediatrician’s office, when you speak with them, when they interact with your child — if anything feels “off,” you’d be wise to find a different provider.
Your child’s health is perhaps more important than anything else in your life, so take this decision seriously, and listen to your intuition. If something isn’t right, don’t settle.
Healthcare matters at all ages, but childhood is where you truly set the stage for a long, healthy life. Invest the time now in making a smart choice in a pediatrician, and you — and your child — will see the benefits for decades to come.