by Janeen Elite

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: June 22, 2009

Finding the right doctor for your child is one of the most important things you can do for your child's future health and well-being. You do not only need a doctor who is good at what they do, but you also need a pediatrician that you are comfortable talking to, and one your child will like and be comfortable with as they get older.

Here are some questions and topics you should discuss when interviewing a potential pediatrician for your child or children.

The All Important Basics

The following are questions you should ask before even making an appointment to meet with the doctor.

Do they accept your health insurance?

What hospitals are they affiliated with?

Are they are taking on any new patients?

Only if you get the right answers to these questions should you then proceed.

Child Rearing Preferences

How do they feel about breast feeding vs. formulas?

How much and where do they think the baby should sleep?

When do they think a baby should be weaned?

Babies Feeding Schedule?

Why kind of inoculations do they think are mandatory?

How do they feel about antibiotics, herbal and natural medications?

What is their advice on how to handle crying babies?

It is important to know these things in advance because if you and your doctor do not agree on even these basics you will just end up changing doctors in the future anyway.

A bigger problem may be that you will be less likely to call them when necessary because you already know what they are going to say and you already know that you are not going to like it.

Financial Matters

What are the office co-pays, hospital fees, cost of a cancelled appointment, etc.?

Will they bill or do they want payment at time of visit?

Do they submit to HMO and insurance companies first or bill you upfront?

Do they charge for phone calls? Most do not charge but this is important to know.

Baby's First Check-Up

Will the doctor be the one to come to the hospital for the first check up after baby is born?

Call Backs When You Have Questions

Ask about call backs when it comes to questions.

Will the doctor call you back directly or will a nurse get back to you?

What calls do they consider acceptable?

Is it O.K. for you to call with even the most mundane questions?

Understand, it is not a bad thing to have the nurse call you back as long as 1) they are easy to talk with and 2) that they only give you information that they receive directly from the doctor.

Appointment

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