Guest Author - Susan Thompson

Years ago, when I was young, there weren’t very many options when it came to pediatricians. Our parents didn’t have to choose one, because there was only one in town to go to. The doctor in town was the one everyone in town went to. Now, due to insurance issues and the many doctors available, parents have to choose a pediatrician to suit their family’s needs.

So how do you choose the best one for your family? The first thing you need to do is figure out which doctors participate in your insurance. Then find out which hospitals the doctor is affiliated with. Is it a good doctor close to you? Ask your friends and neighbors who they use. Customer satisfaction is a great indicator of a good doctor.

Ok, so you’ve picked a doctor, now what? In most cases if you are having your first child, you should call the office and be sure they are accepting new patients. Next, whether it is your first child, or you are switching doctors, you should make an appointment to meet the doctor before you actually need to see them. Most people know whether they like a doctor from a quick meeting. While you are there, ask questions like: how many doctors are in the practice, what the wait time for appointments is like, do they do well baby checks on specific days or at specific times, and any other questions you may have about the practice.

When you visit the doctor with your child, especially if they are sick, make sure you write down any questions you may have. I can’t tell you how many times I have left the doctor’s office and thought of something I forgot to ask while I was there.

What do you do if you have a pediatrician you have been going to for a while and you decide that you don’t like them, it is difficult to make an appointment, or you find yourself waiting two hours to see the doctor? If the problem is something you think can be changed, talk to the doctor about it. Most doctors do not want to loose a patient over something that could have been changed. If you feel the problem can’t be resolved through a reasonable compromise, find a new doctor.

Let’s face it, just because someone is a doctor, doesn’t mean you will necessarily like them. The relationship between you and a doctor is personal, and should be an open one where you can discuss anything. I have had some really great doctors, and some not so great ones. It took me a while to figure out that, just like my cable TV, I was paying the doctor for a service. If you don’t like the service your plumber gives you, you find another plumber right? It is the same way with doctors, if the practice doesn’t suit your needs, there is no reason you shouldn’t look for another practice that will.