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Pediatricians

mcdmawmcdmaw
in Babies: 6 - 9 Months

Hello all! I don't know that I have introduced myself on this board yet.  I am a mom to two very active kids so I don't get a lot of time to post here.  My son was born in May and is getting ready to turn 7 months in a few days!  Yay!

So, for my question, would you switch pediatricians based on their clientele?  What about the condition of their office? Availability?

I do not mean to sound offensive but my pediatrician has problems in all of these areas.  The waiting room generally smells like dirty, smoky people.  The children are generally dirty and parents do not contain their children to the sick waiting area.    The building is older- dingy carpet, faded wallpaper, peeling base boards.  The patient "exam tables" are covered in cloth that, while it is not torn or "unsafe", is stained.  No protective covering is placed on them.  I always bring a blanket.   About  four months ago, a pediatrician left the practice (who was seeing both my kids) to go work in the NICU in a town about 35 minutes south.  Since then, it has been like pulling teeth to get a visit.  The receptionist is pretty rude about it.

I really like my pediatrician.  He has been responsive to my requests and takes time to listen to me.  My son has had breathing complications (I talk about it in my blog).  He also takes his foster son to my daycare so I know him semi-personally.  I trust him.

He is the only pediatric practice in town.  To change providers I would need to drive 35 minutes each way for any appointments. 

So, with that overabundance of information, what would you do? Am I being too judgy or superficial?

Sorry this ended up being long! 

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Re: Pediatricians

  • oliversmommy32912oliversmommy32912 member
    EW get out now! You had me at dirty exam table.
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  • DiveFrogDiveFrog member

    Hygenic issues aside (which I would have a hard time ignoring), I would not be happy with a rude and unresponsive office staff. If I can't get a sick appointment that day or the very worst the next, and I can't schedule a well baby visit within a week of my call then that practice will not get my business.

    If they are not running on time/over book and I have to wait more than 15-20min. for my appointment they will not get my business.

    I do hold my relationship with the Dr. and their bedside manner the MOST important!! For all of these reasons we use a family doctor that takes care of me, DH and DD. We loved her before we had DD and I like her even more now. Te nurses and office staff are also amazing.

    We used to drive 25minutes to see her and now drive 45minutes after our recent move. The drive is totally worth it to know I will be seen in a timely manner by a courteous staff and great Dr.

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  • hopefulmom81hopefulmom81 member
    Switch pediatricians. You can find many pediatricians that are responsive and trustworthy that work in clean offices. GL.

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  • hay1122hay1122 member
    Yup, I'd switch too.  I changed DD's Pedi because I felt as though I wasn't being listened to and I didn't like that the Dr smelled of cigarettes. 
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  • telyntelyn member
    Change if you can and let the doctor (not the receptionist) know WHY you changed.
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  • Cheerio BCheerio B
    I agree with PP. I would change. If a doctor's office doesn't feel clean it probably isn't. And I also agree with letting the doctor know why you are switching. it might not make a difference but he should know.
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