Is a Pediatricain interview a common practice?

jadale3388

Hey everyone,

 

I wanted to get input from other moms or soon to be moms. According to the bump we should have an interview with pediatricians at about 6-7 months. https://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/articles/checklist-interviewing-a-pediatrician.aspx

 

Has anyone done this? To be honest with you I?m not sure how to go about doing so. I would like my child to have great care, but at the same time feel a little weird to request an interview with a doctor.

 

Could everyone give me their opinions and views? Has anyone done this?

MWoodside

I haven't done this yet  b/c this is my 1st pregnancy, but from peoplpe I've talked to w/ kids & what I've read it IS common.  You make an appt w/ the prospective pediatrician to conduct the interview.  I think it's more of a two way conversation where you make sure your views are aligned. 

RivieraMaya05

I never did it. I asked my OB who she took her kids to and that is who I went with.

buffalo_buckeye

I never did. I just took my sil recommendation. When that Dr left, I was given another rec (from thar Dr), and I hated the practice. I found another one and stayed with that one until we moved. I know your "supposed" to interview, but I think a recommendation from people you know might give you more insight about pros and cons. You'll see that pedi a lot in the first few months. It will probably be easy to tell if you click or not.

robinsokj

I am thinking about one per a recommendation.  I have my first Mothers of Multiples meeting tonight and will ask them.  I'll cross reference with my insurance plan then decide.  I figure if these people will recommend them they cant be bad.

Mrs Veitz

i felt the same way!! actually what I did was contact the pedi I wanted to go with, asked if they were taking new patients and if I should come in to meet with them- they said, no, just let the nurses know at the hospy when i delivered and they would come in. I have been so happy with them ever since. i think it is a personal thing but not necessary and idk anyone irl who ever did an interview. good luck!

AthensMom2B

I live in a new town and have been asking people for their recommendations. Everyone said the same doc so I called to see if he was accepting new patients and they said only after you come in for an initial interview. So, we are set to meet with him in February and I guess that is the norm around here....new to me though.

lidda

I did not do this and honestly don't know anyone who has.  When I called to ask a few questions of the office I chose, they said they do a "Meet and Greet" night for new patients and I think that would be ideal but we never went. I chose my office based on my insurance, location and reputation.  I LOVE them.

lildevil968

It is common, and worth while. Also once LO is born before you leave the hospital you have to schedule a check up with the Ped, and if you do not have one they make you see the hospital ped which you may not want.

jadale3388

Thank you all for you input. I read this on my to do list and was a little confused. I had never heard of doing so and I just wanted some feedback as to if this was a normal practice.

I think I?ll have to just ask my OB what she thinks. Growing up I had an amazing pedi and I still remember him now. I would like my kiddo to have the same positive experience.  

mrsjenni

Honestly, I think Pedi interview's are pointless & kinda dumb.  What are you really going to ask them?  Honestly... its a doctor.  They all have M.D.'s... why the need for an interview??  I know some people want to make sure the doc will follow an alt. vac schedule (what doc wouldn't obey your wishes?) and to make sure they like them.  But I still don't see the point.

We went off of recommendations from friends and picked a place.  We love it.  Actually, a few of my friends that conducted interviews and found "the perfect place" have since switched to our practice.

jacquelinethorne

We did when we switched from being on Tricare to having civilian insurance. One of our kids was in kindergarten and I was pregnant with the 2nd at the time, so I had more specific questions to ask pertaining to our older son. As for the newborn, we found out about office policies on things like a sick baby after hours, what their stance was on breastfeeding and giving support in that area and made sure we had good rapport with the pediatrician we chose. We ended up with a pediatrician who is very supportive of breastfeeding and will weigh LO weekly if new moms desire to reassure them that baby is getting what he/she needs, takes all of our concerns seriously and is proactive with our children's health care. He and his nurse practitioner are both super personable and the kids are comfortable with them because of that. I also love that our ped checks his voicemail after hours and returns calls immediately. It is very reassuring when there's something going on with one of my kids and I'm not sure if it merits a trip in or not.

mysticporter

Ours encouraged us to come in for a meeting with a nurse prior to DD's birth after we called (based on recommendations) to check our insurance and get on their patient list.  They wanted to make sure they had as much of the paperwork in place, etc., so we didn't have to do it when we had a brand spanking new baby with us.  I wouldn't call it an 'interview' really, but we did have a chance to ask some questions about the practice and their policies that was helpful (although we could have done it over the phone).