Since becoming a parent 18 years ago, I’ve likely logged more hours at our local pediatric practice than I care to admit. Early on, my own anxiety as a new mom — about whether or not the tiny human wedged in a car seat carrier by my side was meeting her developmental milestones — garnered most of the healthcare provider’s attention.
Later, when my third daughter was born with a serious health condition that required more frequent attention and intervention, the number of trips to our doctor skyrocketed. As we clocked in countless visits with various specialists for my daughter and met the full gamut of healthcare professionals, I quickly learned that I preferred stellar bedside manner over prestigious credentials. I also learned to prioritize working with providers who made an empathetic effort to know my child and our family dynamics.
I developed great faith in the team I assembled to care for these kids (and, let’s face it, me!). Given my experiences, consider the following tips when choosing a PCP for your child.
It takes a team.
Despite “doctor” being the default term when discussing health issues, it’s important to look beyond a single individual and meet the whole team, from physicians and physicians’ assistants to nurses and support staff.
“More often than not, if you’re doing things in advance, you’ll get your PCP,” says Jennifer Dean Durning, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Pentucket Medical Associates in Lawrence, Massachusetts. “But there will be many occasions where, when dropping in on a same-day basis, your preferred person may not be available. In these instances, it’s nice to know you’ve met the whole team.”
Look for the empath.
Individuals, not credentials, provide care, which means finding a PCP who treats the whole patient, not simply a slew of symptoms, is key. You’ll want to not only establish trust but also put your child at ease. Durning says PCPs need to feel comfortable working closely with parents to make sure their children are getting holistic yet specialized care, unique to their needs.
Look at the provider’s resume.
In this day and age, when many parents choose PCPs based on recommendations from friends and family members, Durning takes a different approach: “I do think personality plays into the equation, but I’m a little more data-driven, and I like to know: How many years has a PCP been doing this? And do they do a lot of work with children my kids’ age?”
Credentials alone do not make the perfect PCP; experience counts. As a parent, having a firm grasp on a healthcare provider’s experience with kids is crucial. Routine well-visits will far outweigh acute care visits for the typical child. That means finding a PCP who brings a deep understanding of child development to the relationship is incredibly important.
For most kids, instances of strep throat and ear infections will be few and far between. Monitoring typical behavior, on the other hand, is an ongoing process. “Knowing what to expect between your child’s six-month visit and nine-month visit,” says Durning (which, for new parents, can feel like a long time) is a key part of caregiving. Finding a PCP who takes the time to provide this education not only creates a better parent-child relationship but also promotes healthier development overall.
Look at how they handle logistics.
Finding a PCP who will not only give you their time and attention in the exam room but also after hours is perhaps the single most important factor for some families. Finding someone who responds appropriately to calls and messages is critical (as is being realistic about what that looks like!).
“Very few practices are as responsive to their patients as pediatric practices,” says Durning, and for good reason: Bumps, bruises and middle-of-the-night fevers can be scary. Equally frightening is the constant comparison among kids, especially babies, about what they can and can’t yet do developmentally. When in doubt, place that call (or send that message via your provider’s online portal). Then be realistic about when and from whom you get a response. “Parents want answers as soon as possible, and PCPs can’t necessarily be tethered to their devices,” Durning cautions. Balanced expectations are key.
Today, I’m far more seasoned than when I started navigating my kids’ medical needs. Yet as my kids grow, I continue to learn new things about how to engage the healthcare system. I’ve realized that ultimately, going with your gut, while keeping the above tips in mind, can lead you in the right direction.