Switching Pediatricians

LGalipp19

Has anyone switched pediatricians from the one you were originally using?
I originally picked the office we were going to because of the convenient sick and after hour appointments and hotline plus the doctors seemed very friendly. The more I go there the more I get the feeling that I am being rushed in and out of there. It feels like because they're such a huge practice they're trying to see so many patients a day and I feel like they are just pushing us through. I don't feel like the doctor takes time to make sure all my questions are answered. For example, if I ask the pediatrician if my daughter spitting up more as normal she will ask if she cries when she spits up and when I say no she types it into the computer that she is classified as a "happy spitter" and moves on to the next topic. They're very quick to label a diagnosis on something but not really take the time to talk to you about it. They give very textbook answers and type everything I say into the computer instead of just talking to me. Everything else other than lack of personalized experience has been great and they get DD in for appointments very fast. I am tempted to move her to a smaller practice where they may not have as convenient of services but the doctor would take more time with us. Has anyone had a similar experience? Do all doctors seem to be in a little bit of a hurry and am I overthinking this? I don't want to switch doctors and lose all of the helpful amenities of this one and not be treated any differently. TIA!

Jacqui105

We switched pedis when DD1 was 2 months old. We started at a bigger practice. Super busy, wait times over an hour. We moved to a family doctor and now we have better wait times and I feel no rush when with the doctor. Of course, it has its disadvantages. DD2 needed to be seen to check jaundice levels over the holidays when our pedi was not open so we had to use the hospitals pedi for those visits. But, it worked out. Its pros and cons either way. Find a doctor you are comfortable with, don't be afraid to move if you are unhappy!

nanabanana06

What you describe sounds pretty typical. Our pediatrician is similar, but will talk with us on subjects. However, it always feels like they are reading from a checklist. I know what it feels like to be anxious about your LO's health. However, unless there is serious signs of something there typically isn't anything wrong. What the doc asked with the crying when she spits up is typical. Babies spit up, unless they seem like they are in pain then they are "happy spitters".

Litgirl77

We switched pediatricians after a horrible appointment with our original one. He cut me off while asking questions, rushed through things, and basically treated DH and I like idiots. At one point, I was trying to answer a question he had asked, and he cut me off again and said, "Just answer my questions." It was unreal.

Sorry, but as a first time parent, I have questions. Not a ton - just a few. And I think it's important to have a doctor you can feel comfortable asking questions to.

If you don't feel comfortable, you should switch. And frankly, health care costs too much to be treated poorly. You are a paying customer and you deserve an appropriate amount of time and attention. If you are not happy, take your business and your child to a place where you are more comfortable. 

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