Pediatric Care

By Cheryl Maguire
Being pregnant with a new baby is exciting and scary. You may feel overwhelmed with information and decisions that you need to make regarding your child’s care. Who will be your child’s doctor is one of the most important decisions you need to make as a parent.
“Your child’s pediatrician helps nurture and guide your child into adulthood,” said Dr. Ruby Dey, a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente practicing in Columbia Gateway. “Once you find a practice that seems right for your family, you should schedule a ‘getting to know you’ face-to-face visit.”
As mom of three kids, I remember this process well. Before my twins were born, I met with a pediatrician and had a list of questions. A lot of people in my community used this doctor, but I didn’t really like his personality.
I overlooked this red flag, ignoring my instincts, and I decided to use him anyway. About six months later my kids had two different issues that he didn’t address, so I switched doctors.
“If you don’t click with your pediatrician then you should feel free to change. Don’t feel bad since it happens all the time. Most commonly for insurance reasons, but sometimes for personality reasons,” Virginia Keane, MD, director of the Complex Primary Care Program at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, said.
Here are tips to help you find a doctor that is a good fit for your family.
Ask for Recommendations “Ask around at your prenatal group, any nurses you know, people at your house of worship or clubs,” Dr. Keane suggested.
If you are a new mom in a new community like I was, it may be difficult to find recommendations. Dr. Keane suggested asking your insurance company or checking the web site for the American Academy of Pediatrics to find pediatricians by locale.
Even though your baby isn’t born yet you can join mom groups either online or in person. Asking these moms who they use for a doctor would be a great place to start your search. I asked people at the gym I went to and friends that I worked with. You can ask your own primary care and OB-GYN for suggestions. Make sure to interview at least three different doctors to get a broad perspective.
Location When your child is sick or hurt you don’t want to have to travel a long distance. One time my son was having trouble breathing due to pneumonia. My doctor’s office was only five minutes away and they told me to bring him in immediately and they gave him a cortisone shot. He was breathing better within minutes, and I was grateful the practice was close to home.
Experience I’ve dealt with experienced doctors that were so rigid that they misdiagnosed an issue. I’ve also seen new doctors that made mistakes due to inexperience. But being new to the field might not matter. “Keep in mind that if a pediatrician doesn’t have much experience, they can consult with their more experienced peers if needed,” Dr. Dey said. “Our pediatricians are part of a large multispecialty practice with access to hundreds of experienced pediatricians and specialists.”
You might not be concerned about the length of time they have been practicing but you can make sure they are board-certified as a pediatrician by The American Board of Pediatrics.
“Experience is helpful, but not essential. Young pediatricians enter the practice with enthusiasm and new scientific knowledge that can overcome a lack of experience, especially if there is a more senior doctor in the practice to whom they can turn to with questions,” according to Dr. Keane.
Personality “If you don’t click then it’s probably not going to work. This is a person a parent needs to trust with their most precious, beloved child,” Dr. Keane said.
As a new parent, you will have lots of questions and concerns. You want to feel as if you can trust your doctor to listen and communicate effectively. If you get a sense, like I did, that your personality doesn’t mesh with your doctor’s then pay attention to that.
Other Red Flags Short hours, multiple offices, hard to get through to on the phone, or lost their license, even if they got it back. “If people say they have trouble getting referrals or they aren’t sure their doctor listens to them or takes them seriously then consider how you would feel if that were you,” Dr. Keane said.
Be wary of pediatricians that are not willing to answer your questions or cut you off when you speak. Dr. Dey added, “A pediatrician is a good fit if you can engage in open, honest conversations about your child’s health.”
Interview Questions Before you select a doctor, set up an interview to get a sense of their personality and values. Pay attention to the waiting room, office, and patients. Is it clean? Are there a lot of people waiting? Here are some questions you could ask:
Why did you decide to be a pediatrician?
What hours do you work?
Am I able to see you the same day for a sick visit?
What if I need to see a specialist, how is that handled?
What hospitals are you affiliated with?
If I disagree with your diagnosis, how would you respond?
What is your philosophy about vaccines, breastfeeding, antibiotics, counseling, discipline, and medications?
What is the availability of sick visit appointments? How are the after-hours calls handled (answering service, nurse call line)?
What are the cancellation and no-show policies?
Making the Decision Now that you have gathered information, you can better choose your child’s doctor.
“A good pediatric practice will function as a medical home, providing care that is comprehensive, patient-centered, coordinated, easy to access and committed to quality and safety,” Dr. Keane said.
Dr. Dey agreed, “At the end of the day, you need to love your pediatrician. If you don’t, keep looking.
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her on X @CherylMaguire05.