How to Choose the Right Pediatrician

Choosing a Pediatrician

Choosing a pediatrician for your new baby is an important process which takes both time and thought. Expert pediatricians are committed to helping parents raise healthy children. Remember, regular visits to the pediatrician are a key part of preventive health care and disease intervention. Problems may arise, though, between the personality or approach of a particular pediatrician and a parent. Different pediatricians have different approaches, so don’t rush into choosing the first pediatrician that you meet. It’s important to select the pediatrician who best suits your family's particular preferences and needs. You should conduct this search during the last few months of your pregnancy, so that you can finish choosing a pediatrician well before the baby arrives.

A good place to start looking for a pediatrician is your local children's hospital. You can even ask the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for a list of member doctors in your area. You can reach the AAP by calling 1-800-433-9016.

When you meet with each pediatrician, have a list of questions about issues that concern you. This way, you can decide whether you feel comfortable with the pediatrician's policies and philosophy about child rearing. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. A pediatrician should have graduated from an accredited medical school, and completed an additional three years of training in a pediatric residency. Ask the pediatricians you interview to tell you about their medical schools and residency program training.

2. The initials "FAAP" after a pediatrician's name stand for Fellow (member) of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Only board-certified pediatricians who meet specific criteria can become members of this professional organization which sets standards for child health.

3. After you interview the pediatrician, ask yourself how you feel about what you have learned. You must feel comfortable with the office routines, the location and general atmosphere of the office. You must be able to trust the pediatrician and those who work in the pediatric office where you will take your child for care.

Once your baby arrives, the most important test of a pediatrician is the care your child receives and the way your concerns are handled. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the treatment you and your child are receiving, talk to the pediatrician directly about the problem. Give the pediatrician a chance to address your concerns properly. However, if after a reasonable effort, the problem simply cannot be resolved, arrange to change pediatricians.

12/22/2005 10:19:26 AM