Choosing A Doctor For Your Child

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Lucile Salter Packard Children's Health Services
Parent Information and Referral Center

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When anticipating birth or adoption, one of the most important, yet difficult decisions you will make is choosing a doctor. The following information may be helpful.

Where do I start?

The first step is to get a list of possible doctors. There are a number of resources for this:

• Your insurance company or HMO may limit your choice of doctors, so start here.
• Talk to friends with young children.
• Local chapters of medical societies.
• Your obstetrician, obstetric or pediatric nurses.

Next, narrow down your list and call each of the offices to find out more about the practice.

• How many doctors are part of the practice? How easy will it be for you to see your chosen doctor?
• What are the office hours? Evening or weekend hours may be helpful for working parents.
• Access to parking or public transit may also be helpful.
• What are the costs of care? Remember that immunizations and well baby or child care may not be covered by insurance.
• Ask if there is often a wait to be seen or if you need a phone call back.

You can then narrow the list down to two to four doctors, call each for a prebirth or preadoption appointment. Ideally both parents should be able to attend this meeting. Do not be put off by any charges, some of the best physicians do charge for this service.

What questions should I ask?

Start with those questions which are most important to you, as time may be limited.

• Is the doctor board certified?
• Where did the doctor go to medical school and do a residency?
• Does he or she have any special experience, interests or subspecialties?

What are procedures for when your child is ill?

• What is the procedure if my child has a sudden, unexpected illness or injury or an emergency when the office is closed? Who is available by telephone and where can the child be seen and by whom?
• Which local hospitals would the doctor recommend for children? This may be important if your child requires special care soon after birth. Can this be provided in the hospital where the child is born? Does the doctor have admitting privileges there? Does your insurance cover this hospital?

Other questions about your child's health or behavior.

• Is there a certain time or person, such as an advice nurse, to call with questions and simple problems which do not require an office visit?
• Are there educational materials on parenting, child health, safety, behavior and related issues?
• Do they have suggestions for books about child health, development and parenting, equipment and preparing for the baby?

Finally, you want to be sure that you and the pediatrician share a common philosophy.

• Ask what the expectations of parents are. Some doctors encourage shared decision making with parents, others are more directive. Which style do you prefer?
• What is your first impression of the office and the staff? Is there a play area for children? How do children and adults respond to the doctor?
• Breast versus bottle feeding, circumcision and nutrition arc good topics for discussion.

You should feel comfortable sharing your feelings and concerns with the doctor you select. By sharing your wishes and goals you can begin to develop a good working relationship.

What if, after all this, things don't seem to be working out?

First, share your concerns with the doctor. Open communication is the first and most important step. If your concerns persist, then you may wish to consider going to another name on your list.

References

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, Steven P. Shelov, Ed. Bantam, 1991.

What To Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg, 11. Murkon,& S. Hathaway. Workman Publishing, 1989.

Touchpoints by T. Berry Brazelton. Addison- Wesley, 1992.

Visit with a Pediatrician by Donald L. Shifrin.. In American Baby, December 1994.

The Well Baby Book by Mike & Nancy Samuels. Summit Books, 1979.

The Portable Pediatrician for Parents by Laura W. Nathanson. Harper Collins, 1994.

Credits

Preparation of this handout supported by a donation in memory of Julie Hansen RN Stanford University School of Nursing, Class of 1941.

Lucile Salter Packard Children's Health Services
Parent Information and Referral Center:
1-650-498-KIDS or 1-800-690-2282