There is no one you want to be able to trust more than the person you trust with your child’s health. That’s why the search for a pediatrician is a process that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can be overwhelming to know where to start your search with so many different providers out there, which is why we created this list to help guide you throughout your search for a pediatrician that you can trust.
Ask Family and Friends
One of the best ways you can find a reliable pediatrician is by asking for recommendations from your family and friends nearby that have children. This is a great way to get an in-depth review from someone whose opinion you trust.
If you don’t know someone who is able to recommend a pediatrician, you will have to start with an online search. Luckily, these days there is access to plenty of reviews online as well as lots of information about the office. If you are searching for a pediatrician in Addison, searching a key term, like: ‘Addison pediatrics’ will give you a list of nearby providers to go through. From this search, you can narrow it down to the doctors that fit into what you are looking for.
Initial Consultation
After you narrow it down to a few providers, it’s time to set up initial consultations with all of them. This allows you to get a feel for the whole office and learn if it would be a good fit for you and your child. Setting up this appointment will give you an idea of how long it will take to set up appointments in the future, as well as see how long it will take you to commute to the office. This gives you time to meet with the physician as well as the nurses and the front desk staff. It could also be a good idea to bring your child in to see how they interact with the pediatrician and staff. Ask yourself if these are people you would like to bring your child in to see repeatedly over the years. If the answer to the question is no, don’t get discouraged to keep looking for an office that is the right fit for you.
Ask Questions
You will get the most out of this initial consultation if you show up prepared with questions to ask. Think of this time as an interview of the providers to see who will be your child’s physician. Make sure to bring in a list of any questions and concerns you have with you to this
appointment so you don’t forget to bring anything up. You can start the appointment by telling them about yourself and then asking for them to tell you about themselves. This will give you information about their background and how they approach medicine. Make sure to bring up any services you are looking for your pediatrician to have. For example, if you are looking for a lactation consultant, make sure to ask if they have one on staff or access to one to help their patients. Finding a pediatrician that offers all of the services your child’s needs will prevent you from having to seek help from a specialist in the future.
Trust Your Gut
When it comes down to it, you know your child and their health better than anyone else. If you have any feelings about the office being a bad fit for them, keep looking for a different pediatrician. Their pediatrician is someone who they will see for many years to come, so this isn’t a decision you should rush into. With most children already dreading doctors appointments, you don’t want a bad physician to make this even worse for them. There are many good pediatricians out there that would love to help look after your child’s health, so don’t give up on your search until you find the right one for your family.
