Choosing a Pediatrician, Part 2: What to Ask and Look For

You’ve considered everything from credentials to convenience. Now it’s time to take your short list of pediatricians and see how you click. Ideally, you and your pediatrician will be partners in your child’s health for years to come, so it’s worth taking time to be confident you can communicate and work together well.

Most pediatricians offer shorter meet-and-greet appointments to help you get a sense of their style and personal philosophy. Some offer interviews by telephone or video chat. Keep in mind that certain questions — like those about how things work at your pediatrician’s office — are best directed to office staff, to help you make the most of your time with the doctor (look for a list of those concerns below).

“Making sure you feel the doctor will be someone who can fully answer your questions and provide you with helpful guidance is essential,” says Nubia Calabi, a pediatrician at Brunswick-Baribeau Drive Martin’s Point Health Care Center in Maine. “This person will be a key player in your team in caring for your little one — and meeting him or her prior to bringing home your newborn can help relieve new parent anxiety!”

Getting to know a pediatrician

Ask these questions to help you evaluate whether a pediatrician is a good fit for you and your family. It’s a great idea to take notes so you can refer to them later, particularly if you’re meeting with multiple candidates.

• Why did you choose pediatrics?

   

• How long have you been practicing?

   

• Are you a parent?

   

• What are your views and policies on immunizations and antibiotics (add or subtract topic — such as breastfeeding and circumcision — as needed)?

   

• Will parenting strategies be part of our conversations?

   

• Will my child’s emotional and social development be part of our conversations?

   

• Do you use telehealth? In what circumstances?

   

• Will you answer questions by email?

   

• If my child needs care from a specialist, will you coordinate that care?

   

• How long is a typical well-visit?