There are countless things to expect when you’re expecting. Choosing the right pediatrician to care for your child should be near the top of the list.
After all, you want someone who is going to be a trusted partner for you and your family to help you raise your child in a way that is most comfortable for you and maximizes your child’s ability to thrive — a physician who stays on top of the latest information and is compassionate, takes time to listen and cares about you and your family.
Aspects that might factor into a pediatrician’s fit for a family include location, hours of operation, after-hours care and individual pediatrician characteristics.
Ultimately, you’re looking for a bond with the one who is the best match for your family. You will have a unique set of criteria for the best pediatrician for you, and it is a lot less stressful if you know your pediatrician before you deliver.
Start with insurance
It’s important, if you have insurance, to first check out your carrier’s website to determine which pediatricians participate in your plan to maximize your benefits and minimize out-of-pocket fees.
Next, go directly to people whose opinions you trust.
Ask for recommendations from relatives, co-workers and neighbors who are in a similar stage of life.
Also, remember that knowing who medical professionals trust and choose for the care of their own children is a powerful endorsement. Recommendations from your own doctor, primary care provider, obstetrician, nurses, office or hospital staff are worth consideration.
Arrange for a pediatrics pre-visit in person or certainly over the phone. Larger practices may offer group visits, and others offer individual appointments for expectant families. In addition to assessing the fit of the pediatrician, note how friendly the staff is and the vibe of the office to assess if it is a good match.
Keep in mind the location of your pediatrician, expectations for involvement in the hospital after delivery, how he or she is reachable outside of usual hours and policies for unanticipated sick visits.
Seek alignment
Another important thing to consider:
When choosing a pediatrician, it’s important to consider whether they are aligned with your local children’s hospital and subspecialty care. Should your pediatrician recommend your child receive a higher level of care or see another specialist — such as a pediatric immunologist, surgeon, or cardiologist — this alignment and relationship will be especially important.
Make a checklist
Assessing all these factors and others important to you can feel overwhelming, but a simple way to make the process easier is to create a checklist.
To begin, divide your checklist into three categories: “must-have,” “nice-to-have” and “not necessary.”
Once you’ve outlined the most important criteria, you’ll be able to target your search and make an informed decision.
And congratulations on your future visits to the pediatrician!
Dr. William Adelman is a pediatrician and medical director of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County Primary Care Network.