Choosing the right pediatrician for your child can seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re not sure what you are looking for. These days, pediatricians are offering many different services to help better serve their patients. While searching, keep these services below in mind when considering if they are something you would want your child’s pediatrician to offer.
Telehealth
With many practices adding the use of technology, many are now offering telehealth appointments for certain types of visits. This service can make it easier for you to schedule your child’s appointments between school and their many other activities. This also minimizes having to schedule more time for the commute or finding child care for your other kids. Finding a pediatrician that offers telehealth services should be a priority for you if you’re someone with a busy schedule who may not be able to easily go in for appointments.
After-hours Support
Every pediatrician’s office has varying procedures for their patients who need them when it’s no longer business hours. Some offer an after hours nurse line or even direct access to the on-call doctor after they’re closed. If having access to your child’s pediatrician at all times is important to you, make sure to check what their after hours policies are when looking for a provider.
Lactation Support
Whether you are expecting your first or fourth child, having access to a lactation consultant can be a great help during this time. Some pediatric offices have a lactation consultant on staff to meet with you before and throughout your breastfeeding journey. While searching for a pediatrician, make sure to ask what type of lactation support they offer if you’re planning on breastfeeding.
Behavioral Assessment
Certain pediatricians also offer services working with behavioral diagnosis. Many are able to diagnose and help give parents the tools they need to support children with behavior disorders such as ADD or ADHD. Ask the pediatricians you are interviewing if this is something they cover or if they would need to refer you to a specialist.
Nutrition
If weight is something others have dealt with in your family or something that you are concerned about with your child, you may want to look for a pediatrician with a nutritional background. Any pediatrician will be able to let you know if your child is currently at a healthy weight for their height and age group. Certain pediatricians may be able to help form a food and exercise plan to help them better manage their weight and healthy eating habits.
Allergies/Asthma
Allergies and asthma are two common diagnoses in children. If your child has been diagnosed with one or both of these ailments, you will want to find a pediatrician knowledgeable in these areas of expertise. A pediatrician who knows how to effectively treat allergies/asthma will make it much easier for your child by offering support, guidance, and tools to cope and live a relatively normal childhood.
When you start searching for a pediatrician, make sure to keep in mind which of the above services are important to you and your child. For example, search ‘pediatricians in Parker, CO’ along with what services you’re looking for into your online search bar. This will give you a list of pediatricians in your area offering what your child needs. From here you can narrow it down based on reviews and set up initial consultations with a few different pediatricians. In your initial appointment, you can ask any questions you have about their practice and the services they offer. Searching for the perfect pediatrician for you and your child can be a long process, so don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than you think it will. The process will be worth it when you find a doctor you are able to trust with your child’s health for many years to come.
