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Questions to ask Peditrician
I'm drawing a blank here..what kind of questions should i ask when looking for a peditrician?
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Re: Questions to ask Peditrician
if you offer and/or are supportive of an alternate vaccine schedule. what do they think of sleep training? cry it out etc. how quickly do they return phone calls. do they have a sick and well waiting rooms? who does the shots nurse or doc? do they have a walk in time without appointments for sick children.
Some things I found were very important to us:
Do you offer the alternative vaccone schedule?
How do you handle off-hours phone calls?
Do you have a seperate waiting area for sick kids?
Okay, this is really long, but it's a questionnaire I downloaded when we were looking.
What are the doctor's office hours?
Does the pediatrician accept your insurance?
Are laboratory facilities on site? If not, where would your child be sent for these?
Is screening for hearing and vision done in the office?
Is there a separate waiting area for sick and well children?
What is the pediatrician?s educational background?
How long has he or she been in practice?
How does he or she keep up-to-date with medical knowledge?
Does he or she have any special medical interests?
How do you reach him or her for routine questions or urgent problems?
Does he or she have specific telephone call-in times?
Can you reach him or her by e-mail?
Does s/he have a web site?
If your child is ill, will she usually be seen in the office?
When would your child be referred to the emergency room?
If your child needs to be hospitalized, what hospital would the doctor use, and who would be responsible for your child's care?
Who covers the pediatrician when s/he is away?
Are there nurses, nurse practitioners, resident physicians or medical students on staff in the office?
Will any of these staff care for your child?
Are you likely to see different providers at each visit?
How much time will the pediatrician spend with you and your child at a typical visit?
When is the first newborn exam?
What is the pediatrician's opinion about newborn circumcision?
How often are subsequent visits?
What is the physician's recommended vaccine schedule?
When does he or she prescribe antibiotics?
How does he or she respond to parents' concerns or disagreements about care recommendations?
Is he/she a member of the American Academy Of Pediatrics or any other specialty organization?
How long in advance must you book appointments?
Are there any diagnostic facilities on site such as X-rays, blood work, etc.?
Are immunization shots extra, or are they included in the office visit charge?
Do they accept checks and credit cards?
Is payment due at the time of the visit, or will the pediatrician bill you?
What happens if you miss a scheduled visit? Can you easily reschedule?
How did you decide on pediatrics?