FTM: Interviewing Pediatricians Necessary?

In stead of an interview, why not talk to friends and find a doctor that they
like and use him or her. Most people who want to be baby doctors like
kids.

If you don't have strong views on circumcision, vaccination, breastfeeding, etc, picking a pediatrician doesn't really matter at the beginning. Also, you can always change if you don't like the person as others said. I would try to find an office that isn't so busy though, you don't want to have to fight to get an appointment if you do need one later, and it's better to go to a place where they don't slam the doctors with patients constantly (you probably won't get the best care).

I agree with the posts below that say if the doctor is too busy to meet with you for an interview, how difficult will it be to make appointments?

I called around and set up interviews before having my daughter. I was a little timid about it but quickly found out that the pediatricians are very used to this. One doctor even had weekly "stop in to meet me" hours each Mon and Wed afternoon. This will clue you in as to their views on breast feeding, nutrition, co-sleeping, etc. I assume you would want a doctor who shares your views and an interview is a great way to find out.

Back in the day I interviewed several pediatricians, my child is almost 15. The only thing I can say is that I would ask your friends for recommendations. Pediatricians within the same practice may have different philosophies that you may not agree with. I have switched my child from a pediatrician to a family doctor in the last few years and have been very happy with them. Pediatricians tend to be very busy and can't devote much time when the children get older. Our family doctor is Aaron Segal on Preston Road in Plano. The practice does pediatrics. The other piece of advise would be to chose a doctor that is not medication happy. Hope this helps.

I look at it this way if they are too busy to meet with you now then they are too busy to meet your needs after!

Yes meet the doctors, see if they meet your expectations, and are experienced with your family medical history.
I have scholiosis, so i want someone who can is experienced in treating and early diagnosis. I also want someone who will listen to my fears and treat my fears as well and my child because when you deal with children the parents are the patients too. My pediatrian is a firm believer that kids get sick at all hours and the least convienent time, so he has his offic eline forwarded to his cell and is always available by phone, no answering service and if you have no way to get to the office for an important visit he will come to your house, LOVE HIM!!!!

Get involved with other Mom's the best referral is other mom's. Ask around. Do not be afraid to switch if the fit turns out to be wrong. This awsome doctor we have was not the original one I started with.

Good Luck

I think the one you called today is probably not the right choice (too busy to meet with you before hand, what is it going to look like when your little one gets sick), but I also don't know that interviewing is necessarily the "right" way to do it either. I suggest talking to friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. and find someone by word of mouth. You may not like the doctor you initially choose, but you can always switch. I hate my son's pediatrician right now, but loved our family doctor. If you have a good family doc, that might also be the way to go!

Good luck on interviewing pediatricians. These primay care doctors are not among the highly paid MD so their time is precious. Go by recommendation of other with kids. Personally I foudn a group with a number of doctors and have extended hours, weekend, and even holidays. Taking my kid to the same place regardless of when they got sick or injured was a great option for us. i also wanted a group that accepteed the most plan networks - so when my insurance changed my kids' doctor didn't have to.

When my duaghter had a weird rash it was great to have 4 different doctros around to take a look at her. When my son got very sick on Christmas day - high fever, etc it was wonderful to be able to bring him to his doctors office. My group has 6 or 7 pediatricians and a few nurse practitioners - so it's been a fabulous option for us - and my kdis are now 11 & 14. We've been to their office for stiches, burns, a fracture, pneumonia, and more. We never had the opportunity to interiew them - but based on recommendations of others we decided to use this group and have had very good experiences.

Not sure where in LA you are, but I have a FANTASTIC pediatrician! If a practice is too busy to see you for an interview BEFORE the baby comes what's gonna happen when your newborn is running a fever and you are a nervous new mom and have questions??? Are they gonna say "come in next week?" Screw that!
I talked to lots of moms in my area (Pasadena) and I was told of the most popular peds offices, with their long waits, over-booking, rotating doctors, etc. and I didn't want that! Then a friend of my husbands (who has 3 little boys) told me about her doctor for the kids, Dr. George Nakashima, in Little Tokyo. His address is 420 E. Third Ave, LA CA and their phone number is ###-###-####, I ADORE this practice! I have taken my son there since the day after he was born! (he is now 5 and 1/2) They are always available, they call you back on weekends, they have Saturday hours, I have never waited more than 10 minutes to see the Dr. and Dr. George is fantastic with the kids/babies...even after my son pooped on the table during his first visit! LOL It was hilarious. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
If a pediatrician is too busy to see you now for an interview you do NOT want them now or after the baby comes! You have to be comfortable with them/their practice BEFORE your little one arrives. BTW, you should pick up the book Baby 411, written by two female doctors...it has a whole chapter on interviewing doctors before the baby comes and the questions you should ask, etc. Very helpful.
Good luck and Congrats on the baby!

Hey Alice,
The pediatrician who examines your baby in the hospital does not have to be the pediatrician that will permanently be your baby's doctor, but it would be great if they were!!
In my case, because we chose not to vaccinate our son, we needed to interview doctors to see which ones would accept us as patients. Additionally, both my husband and I are into natural health so we wanted someone who wouldn't be quick to prescribe medications, but would give us alternative treatments. We were very fortunate and found a fantastic doctor just minutes from our home who also does house calls. She was there in the hospital the day after our son was born and has been our pediatrician since!
My suggestion would be to ask friends and neighbors who their pediatricians are and then call the offices and ask to meet the doctor. Interview a lot of doctors and be sure to ask them their opinion on all the things that matter to you such as: availability to call and ask questions, house calls, phone-in prescriptions, etc. You have a right to have the right to choose a health care professional that will work with your family and provide the best care possible for your child. If the receptionist says the pediatrician is too busy to meet you for a few minutes for an interview can you imagine what it will be like when you need to bring your child in for a serious health issue?

i can say i've never "interviewed" a doctor, although that is your right. I just see them for a few visits, then if i don't like them, find a new one. When i do need to switch like i'm fixing to, i'll call the doctor i do trust and see, and ask for suggestions/references in that area, or ask family who they've had experience with, however, the dentist i take my daughter to, and optometrist, i saw growing up, so they know me well and i know i can trust their opinion.

If they can't find the time for an interiew now, they won't be able to find the time when your newborn is sick or you have a question later. An itnerview is a MUST! It might be difficult and time consumig but it's worth it. It's the health, safety and welfare of your child. Good Lcuk!

I knew what practice I wanted and told the hospital when I checked in (it was one of the questions they asked when I was admitted).

I ended up being in the hospital several days so several pedi's from that practice saw my son but we chose the one he saw more than once. I've been very happy with her.

Have you asked your friends with kids who they like? Have you taken a birthing class or breastfeeding class or anything like that? Usually the instructors know a lot about that kind of thing so may be able to lead you in the right direction.

Personally, I'd rather my pedi be helping sick kids than taking the time out to meet with me, but that's just my opinion.

I'm sure it's already been posted but if they are too busy to meet with you now, they are too busy to provide adequate care for your child. Look elsewhere. We interviewed doctors at about 5 different practices, sometimes 2 or 3 docs in each practice. We got in the same week that I called to make the appts with each. The pedi we ended up choosing is one of the busiest in our area but he said he thinks interviewing before baby is essential.

Thats how I did it. I selected a ped that my friend took her daughter too (she was also in the same office as my OBGYN). When I had the baby I just told the nurses who her ped was, and boom, she showed up the next day to meet and greet. I just made sure I chose one that had a good rep, and that I knew my friends took their kids too.
Good Luck.

e-mail to them your set of questions, if you lucky someone from the office will call you with answers. unless you are paying cash or the ped in question is a famous hot shot who does not take insurance, you are too small of a fry : (no offence:) to have a one on one meeting.

Good Luck and Easy Delivery!
V.

I interviewed pediatricians before choosing one when I was about 7 months along, because you really want to make sure you have the right person in there checking out your baby when it arrives. I think the way a doctor's office treats you when you are looking for a doctor is indicative of how they'll treat you when or if they become your doctor. If these pediatricians are too busy for you now, what will they be like when you actually need them? Do you want to take that chance? I wouldn't call back and insist on an interview because, even if you like the doctor, you'll have to deal with that receptionist's lax attitude. Also, my friends who didn't interview first have all been through a succession of pediatricians trying to find the right one. Wouldn't you want to have the right one in place before your baby got there? You need to make sure you're on the same page as far as attitudes about breastfeeding, weight, and medication. Otherwise, it will be a big hassle later.

Yes, that's a big red flag . . . my ped will meet with expectant parents for a quick consult prior to delivery.

If a practice is too busy to do that I would be concerned for various reasons.

That being said, if I had it to do over again I'm not sure I would even go to a pediatrician. I would want someone with a more integrative and holistic approach (and of course qualified to care for children) - but that's just me. I'm not a health care professional of any sort - this is just my own opinion.

Good luck and happy delivery!

Hi-

I interviewed Peds over the phone. I can't remember how I narrowed down the list on names but went with the names of Peds available to me, and then asked the Dr.'s to call me when they were returning calls later. I had a list of questions and that was extremely helpful. Based on those calls I found the one that I had until my oldest was five.

It's a long ways off but the question that I didn't ask at the time and wish I did was if there in a minor emergency, like stitches in the chin, where do I take the child. My ped wouldn't give the referral to the ER and referred us to the adult Urgent Care, where they didn't have the tools to work on a 5 year old. Bad situation!!

Anyway, good luck to you!!

The biggest thing to remember is the ped you pick today is NOT written in stone - it can be changed. I prefer a larger practice that you can see any of the doctor's. Typically you can switch over to the other doctor and they still have all of the medical files in the office, you just need to let the insurance co know you have switched doctor's. Ask when you make an appointment for who ever is available and work your way through the practice until you find a ped you like. At our old office I found TWO peds I liked, so whenever our regular doctor was not available I had a back-up ped I still liked and trusted. The best place to start is with a refferal and go from there. Good luck!

I have seen a few scenarios.

For my daughter it was easy, my teenaged son was already a patient so I faxed over info including my due date and indicating that our family was already in that practice and would like to have this baby as well. The doctor called me, we spoke. All was well. One of his associates was on call when we were in the hospital so she saw her while we were there.

For my son, I knew who I wanted but they didn't take my insurance. My cousin recommended her pediatrician. I was told to put his name down and they would talk to us in the hospital. We've been with them every since (my son is now 19).

I know that my sister's friend, who didn't have other children, met with my pediatrician (we recommended by others). Shortly before the baby was born, she and her husband met w/ the doctor. Loved him.

If you don't have personal knowledge of the doctor, I would make an appointment for a quick visit. If they are too busy and can't meet you anytime in the next month, they may be too busy when/if your child is sick. I suggest pushing the issue.

I had 5 children and I just used the hospital peds while we were in the hospital. When I got home from the hospital, I just took my babies to our family doctor. We all see the same doctor. I've fired every pediatrician I've ever gone to. Never ever found a decent one. Good luck and congratulations!!

I never interviewed, but I had a family doctor as a PCP for years before I had our doctor and he also takes care of our pediatric needs. Just a thought, since sometimes it tough to find a ped, a family doctor will do the same things, just without the fancy practice and less toys in the waiting room.
Good luck!

First, yes interview. I made the mistake with our first one. I interviewed and did not feel real comfortable but shrugged it off as jitters first mom. Then our son came early so no more time to interview others. I was miserable with this pediatrican. He was rude and condescending and definitely not understanding. For our second child knew not want him and interviewed. Found someone I really liked and has been great for all 3. Good luck and listen to your instincts.

We took word of mouth from friends and relatives when choosing our pediatrician....AND, the pediatrician we chose is close to home but my OB and delivering hospital was close to my work so the pediatricians were not on staff at that hospital. When that happens, the hospitals have staff pediatricians or pediatric residents check your baby out and then you are supposed to make an appt to see your own pediatrician within 5 days of the infant's release from the hospital (they do this to do a weight check and everything to make sure baby is gaining back--especially if the baby is breastfed). We did not interview our pediatricians though I know many women do. I trusted the opinions of the people I asked and have been happy with the standard of care received.

I am not sure I would choose a pediatric office that seemed so busy that they would not even consider an interview or allowing you to ask a few questions or stop by though....think about how difficult it might be to get your child "in" when he or she needs to be seen on the same day that some ailment crops up.

best wishes!

Keep calling around. The most important thing with a pediatrician is that YOU CAN BE SEEN!!!! Imagine that you have your baby and she is sick and the doctor is "too busy" to see her in your time of need! Find a doctor who has the time to talk to you, and make sure that there is a way to get an appointment they same day or the next day when your baby is sick. Most healthy babies don't need "the best doctor" that everyone tells you about. You will spend your life in the waiting room with all of the other germy babies coughing on you waiting for the doctor. Unless your baby has some chronic problem that needs specific attention, you just want a medical professional to see you, diagnose the immediate problem and tell you how to fix it. Keep calling around until you find a doctor that has time for you and has a system to make sure urgencies are dealt with in a timely fashion.

I agree with all the other moms. I didn't interview my ped because my best friend was already taking her kids there. She did however interview him and loved him. He went over his philosophies on breast feeding, immunizations, etc. with her. If you don't know anyone that can refer you to a good ped, then please find one for yourself that will take out 5-10 min of their day to go over your questions. If the office can't squeeze you in or answer your quesions, this is an indication of your future. My ped office answers my questions on the phone and never makes me feel rushed when I am in the office. Your child is a precious gift and if the ped office doesn't recognize that - move on to one that does. Congrats on your future baby!!!

Personally, I would not choose a pediatrician who cannot spare any time to meet me before the baby arrives. Can't you meet one of their nurses, at least, to ask about their practice?

I would want to make sure the doctor will be available when I need and that I feel like I can trust this doctor.

When I was pregnant, my husband and I interviewed a couple of carefully chosen pediatricians and both sounded experienced, knowledgeable and available. We chose the one we felt more comfortable communicating with, as this becomes very important when you have a baby and you want to make sure you can ask all the questions you have and get satisfactory answers.

Before the interviews, I made a list of questions to ask (it was a long list :-)). You can find sample questions on web sites or in books. Check the one below:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_pediatrician-family-doctor-in...

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck finding a doctor you like.