If you were seeking a new Pedi/Family Dr

boogerbearoriginal · August 2012

We aren't happy with DS's Dr. He's a family doc but seems pretty clueless about children and from my observations in the waiting room a majority of his patients are elderly. There wasn't a big incident, but a series of smaller issues over the past year that have left us unhappy. So we are looking to find someone new.

What sort of questions, things you would look for, etc. in your child(ren)'s Dr?

00jennifer00 · August 2012

My biggest question is if they will they kick us out for not vaxing. Because our first pedi threatened us when we even asked about vaccines (and we did vax until #1 was 2y). After that I don't really care because I am confident in my parenting choices (bfing, extended bfing with delayed solids, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, etc). We're actually about to see a family practice doctor sometime in the near future for the kids (we already got approval for not vaxing).

If you have specific things you're looking for, even if it seems obscure or strange, ask. You need to be satisfied with the care you kid is receiving so you can have peace of mind.

tokenhoser · August 2012

I really like that my family doctor is approximately my age. Her son is a few months older than mine, which I find makes her very empathetic. I see her also, which is very convenient. If I need something quick like a Rx refill, she'll do it for me at a DS well visit.

I would ask about vaxing for the opposite reason - I don't want my future newborn in a waiting room with un-vaxed sick kids. I'd be thrilled with a doctor that did not accept unvaccinated children.

I'd ask about breastfeeding rates of patients and support for tandem and extended bf-ing. And then the nuts and bolts of after office hours support, how long it takes to get a sick and well appointment, and if you can see other docs in the practice to get an appointment faster.

00jennifer00 · August 2012

Does your office not have a separate sick waiting room? Our pedi always had a separate sick waiting room. Didn't mean that we didn't get sick every time we went in anyway though, even though 100% of the kids there were vax'd.

sooner1981 · August 2012

00jennifer00:

Does your office not have a separate sick waiting room? Our pedi always had a separate sick waiting room. Didn't mean that we didn't get sick every time we went in anyway though, even though 100% of the kids there were vax'd.

The sicknesses you are speaking about are not the life-threatening ones that most parents vaccinate against. I would also ask about my doctor's stance on vaccines, to make sure that I didn't pick a doctor that would attract a bunch of parents with unvaccinated children. Waiting rooms are already petri dishes for common colds and stomach bugs. Couldn't stand the thought that there would also be pertussis/measles/mumps/etc. hanging out on the seats and other surfaces.

tokenhoser · August 2012

I feel very strongly about vaccination as a public health issue and I want a doctor that does, too. And no, we don't have separate waiting rooms. I've never been to a clinic that does.

FancyFrenchie · August 2012

We had a pediatrician for DS, not a family doctor and I like that:

- He'll try alternate solutions before going to medication/antibotics.

- He'll take my calls at any time and give me advice/answer my questions.

- He's very thorough on all well visits

- He'll follow-up on some comment we made on a past visit and ask if everything there is better, etc.

Temp123197812503460 · August 2012

Ditto the wanting someone who only takes vaxed kids.And more broadly we wanted someone who has a very evidence/science studies based approach. Someone who would share the research/options with us and let us take an active part in decision making for treatment, plus not prescribing antibiotics for everythingFamily dr is nice because they will answer questions we have about ourselves during well visits.Wanted someone who supported breastfeeding and didn't push things like CIO

boogerbearoriginal · August 2012

Thanks for the input ladies - I appreciate the different points of view. Picking a new Dr is a pain but worst case scenario I can always switch again! You have given me some things to think about/ask when switching.

jcsumm0 · August 2012

If it is possible, I'd take LO with me and see how they interact. I have a huge laundry list of reasons why I love my family dr, but one is that she is very baby/kid friendly--she does almost the whole examine with DD on my lap and I think that makes DD very comfortable. I would also ask about wait times--my office asks that you arrive 15 min early, and I don't mind that because I hardly ever have to wait more than a few minutes.

honkytonk_kid · August 2012

I actually just went with the closest pedi on the recommendation list from our midwives. I figured that was a start, and if we didn't like her we could switch. We ended up LOVING her.

Things that were important to us were:

As far as the office in general: close to us, easy to get in touch with, easy to get a sick appointment, like the office staff (nurse, MAs, etc), not taking purposely unvaccinated patients

As far as the pedi: good bedside manner was important. The only other thing I care about is that she only care about medical concerns- sleeping, feeding (for the most part), discipline, etc are not medical concerns.

Izybel18 · August 2012

honkytonk_kid:

The only other thing I care about is that she only care about medical concerns- sleeping, feeding (for the most part), discipline, etc are not medical concerns.

This. Our pedi never asks about sleeping and this week at our 6 month appt. they barely asked about solids. At first I was really put off by how detached she was, but now that I have more confidence in my own parenting choices, it's nice to know I won't be getting any hassle when I go in.

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