
Whether you’re shopping for the best crib or the safest car seat, having a baby requires lots of research. That’s doubly true when it comes to choosing a pediatrician. “You need to find a doctor who makes you feel heard and who answers your questions in a way you understand,” says Joshua Rosenblatt, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “This is about developing a relationship.”
Admittedly, that can take a little effort. “Before your baby is born, you should start interviewing doctors to find the right fit for your family,” says Hanan A. Tanuos, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and director of pediatric primary care at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “The staff should treat you and your child with compassion and respect.”
To a certain extent, finding the right doctor is also a little bit about trusting your gut. “You should feel comfortable with the provider,” says Priscilla Kean Zinsky, family nurse practitioner with Cooper General Pediatrics at Cooper University Health Care. “You’ll be talking about a lot of personal things, such as nursing, so you need to feel like you can ask anything.”
Start your search by asking friends and family members for recommendations, says Rosenblatt. They’ve already navigated the process and have reallife experience dealing with their doctors’ offices, from how quickly calls are returned to how difficult it is to make appointments. Your ob/gyn or midwife also may be able to make some suggestions.
Here’s what else to consider when choosing a pediatrician:
CHECK CREDENTIALS
It’s a good idea to look for a pediatrician who is boardcertified in pediatrics. “Although board certification does not guarantee competence, it’s an objective measure and a demonstration of commitment to learning,” says Rosenblatt. You also can inquire about hospital affiliations.
ASK ABOUT HOURS
Logistics are important, says Zinsky. Do the office hours fit your schedule? Do they have evening and weekend hours or same-day sick appointments?
LOOK INTO TELEHEALTH OPTIONS
Some offices offer limited telehealth visits, though it’s not as common as it was during the pandemic, says Zinsky. These appointments may be okay for diagnosing something like a rash.
DISCUSS OFFICE POLICIES
Ask whether you’ll always see the same pediatrician. “Many patients prefer to see the same doctor for wellness visits, but sometimes if your child is sick, you may need to see a different doctor,” says Tanuos.
THINK ABOUT PRACTICE SIZE
The larger the size, the more flexibility and availability of appointments. “The tradeoff is that in a large group, you may see different doctors and not develop the same relationship as you would with a smaller group,” says Rosenblatt.
SCHEDULE AN OFFICE VISIT
Most pediatricians’ offices will allow you to make a prenatal appointment to meet the doctor before your baby arrives. This is a great opportunity to get a sense of how the office feels, including whether your communication style meshes with the doctor’s, as well as how the staff interacts with you, says Rosenblatt.
ASK HOW MESSAGES ARE HANDLED
If you have an immediate need—such as a middleof- the-night sick kid—who returns calls? How is communication handled if you call in during office hours? Does a nurse call back? Also, ask if there is an online communication tool available, says Zinsky.
TAKE REVIEWS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT
Reviews aren’t necessarily good gauges of whether a pediatrician is right for your family because there are so many variables that go into people’s opinions (and after all, these are strangers’ opinions). “It’s certainly one factor to consider, but don’t put great weight on those,” says Rosenblatt. “You’re likely to get more out of talking to someone you trust about their personal experiences with a doctor’s office.”
— Arricca Elin SanSone is a New York-based health and lifestyle writer.
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