good questions to ask when interviewing pediatricians...?

Question

I'm due to have a baby in 4 weeks and am looking for a pediatrician. Any ideas on good questions to ask when interviewing them?

Answer 1

Ask them how they feel about breastfeeding. Ask them if they have kids what immunizations are not necessary and which ones would they give their own kids (this is a very hot topic). If boy ask if he / she can circumsize the baby for you if it's a boy. Ask if he has any subspecialties outside of peds. Is there a specific time during the day that the doctor will take phone calls? Does the doc have a 24 hour phone service for emergencies?





Office Logistics

Is the office conveniently located for less travel time with a sick child? Does the practice have multiple offices you can visit?

What are the office hours and are there any early morning or late evening hours for working parents?

How long in advance must you book appointments?

Are there any diagnostic facilities on site such as X-rays, blood work, etc.?

What lab work can be performed at the pediatrician's office?

Is there a specific time during the day that the doctor will take phone calls, and how does the office handle your phone in questions?

Does the doctor answer any general questions by email?

How does the office deal with after hours emergencies?

Is there a 24 hour answering services that can connect you to a doctor?

Who covers for the doctor when they are on vacation?

Does the office mail out reminders for scheduled immunizations and checkups?



Fees, Methods of Payment



How much are the fees for standard office visits?

Are immunization shots extra, or are they included in the office visit charge?

Does the pediatrician accept your insurance?

How are insurance claims handled, and will the pediatrician bill your insurance company directly.

Do they accept checks and credit cards?

Is payment due at the time visit, or will the pediatrician bill you?

What happens if you miss a scheduled visit? Can you easily reschedule?







Get a some good recommendations from friends or family. Visit more than one. It has to be a good match with a doc you feel comfortable with. Do a background check on him as well



What you really want is a doc that will take time to talk to you. I love it when my pediatrician tells me what I should look for in the next couple months and what my child should be doing right now. Good luck Sorry so long.

Answer 2

The first time I brought my one week old daughter in to my pediatrician's office for a regular checkup, they took her rectal temperature. Later I felt bad thinking that doing that was so unnecessary when she obviously was not running a fever or had low body temperature. I think that taking a baby's temperature in the armpit or in the ear is sufficient. If the reading is abnormally high or low, then the more accurate rectal temperature might be called for.

Taking the rectal temperature looked so uncomfortable for her...not a very good way to introduce her to the world.

So at the two week visit I asked them not to do that and they obliged. So maybe the rectal temperature thing is something to ask about ahead of time.