View Full Version : questions to ask pediatricians?
Jen in South Florida
October 20th 03, 09:52 PM
Can anyone offer suggestions on questions to ask/things I might
want to know as we begin to interview pediatricians? I'm pretty
set on the practice, now it's just a matter of choosing which of
the 7 or 8 doctors we like the best.
Any specific issues (good or bad) that have come up with your
pediatricians?
Thanks!
Jen
edd 12/20/03 - twin boys!
Megan Byrne
October 20th 03, 10:15 PM
I thought that when you jin a group practice, you have to see all the
Dr.'s, whoever is available kinda thing. So, I hope that you like all of
them.
Anyway, I think asking if your pedi has experience with mutiples is a
good question. I went to mine, specifically because of her wonderful
reputation and that she is a mother of quads.
Ask what their hours are, if they have Sat. hours, what is their after
hours policies. Explain that you are a new mother, of multiples, no
less, do they mind middle of the night pages for "peace of mind"
questions. What is their waiting room like? Do they have a sick and well
room? What is their view on vaccines, especially these "new" ones i.e.
chicken pox, flu.
What are their views on FF vs. BF? If you plan on FF, make sure that you
have a pedi that will stand behind you. There are a lot of BF believers
out there that think their way is the "right" way.
I can't think of anything else right now. Hope that helps a little.
~Megan~
Aidan Matthew & Alexis Valerie
Born September 28, 2002
www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aidannalexis
Megan Byrne
October 20th 03, 10:15 PM
I thought that when you jin a group practice, you have to see all the
Dr.'s, whoever is available kinda thing. So, I hope that you like all of
them.
Anyway, I think asking if your pedi has experience with mutiples is a
good question. I went to mine, specifically because of her wonderful
reputation and that she is a mother of quads.
Ask what their hours are, if they have Sat. hours, what is their after
hours policies. Explain that you are a new mother, of multiples, no
less, do they mind middle of the night pages for "peace of mind"
questions. What is their waiting room like? Do they have a sick and well
room? What is their view on vaccines, especially these "new" ones i.e.
chicken pox, flu.
What are their views on FF vs. BF? If you plan on FF, make sure that you
have a pedi that will stand behind you. There are a lot of BF believers
out there that think their way is the "right" way.
I can't think of anything else right now. Hope that helps a little.
~Megan~
Aidan Matthew & Alexis Valerie
Born September 28, 2002
www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aidannalexis
TwinMom
October 21st 03, 12:10 AM
One thing that I found immensely helpful is my Ped's willingness to give me
full explanations & the "what to expect" sort of stuff. Our first Ped would
NOT do this, which left me with too many unanswered questions. For example,
after the first vacs, of course, the boys got a small fever, so I called the
office. I was told to give Tylenol and call back if the fever did not
improve. I'm sorry, but I didn't want to call them every 2-4 hours for more
advice. I wanted the WHOLE picture at once - what to watch for, what to take
note of but not worry about, when to call the Dr., when to head to the
hospital, what IS a bad reaction, etc. The first Ped would NOT give this
info out - it was like pulling teeth. We dumped him when the boys were less
than 3 months old because he did NOT support our personal choice of BFing -
told me it was impossible because his own nurse had tried (35 years earlier)
and she was not able. Our "new" Ped, of almost 8 years now, is wonderful!! I
get the Whole Picture and am much more comfortable as an informed parent. He
respects my input as a parent and takes my concerns seriously, even when
they might just be "mama worrying", he listens and explains what is going
on. I don't believe this is something that can be achieved through
training - I think it comes from the Dr's innate respect & care for his
patients and their parents. Gee, can you tell we love our own Dr?? Anyway,
this is in addition to the checking on the basic philosophies like vaccines,
feeding schedules & BF. Good Luck
TwinMom
October 21st 03, 12:10 AM
One thing that I found immensely helpful is my Ped's willingness to give me
full explanations & the "what to expect" sort of stuff. Our first Ped would
NOT do this, which left me with too many unanswered questions. For example,
after the first vacs, of course, the boys got a small fever, so I called the
office. I was told to give Tylenol and call back if the fever did not
improve. I'm sorry, but I didn't want to call them every 2-4 hours for more
advice. I wanted the WHOLE picture at once - what to watch for, what to take
note of but not worry about, when to call the Dr., when to head to the
hospital, what IS a bad reaction, etc. The first Ped would NOT give this
info out - it was like pulling teeth. We dumped him when the boys were less
than 3 months old because he did NOT support our personal choice of BFing -
told me it was impossible because his own nurse had tried (35 years earlier)
and she was not able. Our "new" Ped, of almost 8 years now, is wonderful!! I
get the Whole Picture and am much more comfortable as an informed parent. He
respects my input as a parent and takes my concerns seriously, even when
they might just be "mama worrying", he listens and explains what is going
on. I don't believe this is something that can be achieved through
training - I think it comes from the Dr's innate respect & care for his
patients and their parents. Gee, can you tell we love our own Dr?? Anyway,
this is in addition to the checking on the basic philosophies like vaccines,
feeding schedules & BF. Good Luck
Jen in South Florida
October 21st 03, 03:12 AM
Megan Byrne wrote:
> I thought that when you jin a group practice, you have to see all the
> Dr.'s, whoever is available kinda thing. So, I hope that you like all of
> them.
At this one, you see "your" doctor for all WBV. If you are there
on Saturday or Sunday or for a sick visit, you take whoever is
available.
>
> I can't think of anything else right now. Hope that helps a little.
Thanks!
Jen
edd 12/20/03 - twin boys!
Jen in South Florida
October 21st 03, 03:12 AM
Megan Byrne wrote:
> I thought that when you jin a group practice, you have to see all the
> Dr.'s, whoever is available kinda thing. So, I hope that you like all of
> them.
At this one, you see "your" doctor for all WBV. If you are there
on Saturday or Sunday or for a sick visit, you take whoever is
available.
>
> I can't think of anything else right now. Hope that helps a little.
Thanks!
Jen
edd 12/20/03 - twin boys!
multimom4
October 21st 03, 04:21 AM
Our first Ped. was brand new -- VERY thorough but perhaps overly so --
unnecessary tests in the hospital etc., but at least she always erred on the
side of caution which mostly suited us as brand-new parents.
Then she had twins and retired so we got transferred to her partner, very
experienced and in fact he was the doc I was trying to get in the first
place, but back in 1996 he wasn't personally accepting new patients. So he
is our current Ped. and as I may have mentioned he's VERY experienced but
sometimes therefore is a bit "I've Seen It A Million Times, Don't Worry
About It" over the phone without even seeing the child. So far, he's been
right but I guess that's not really my comfort level.
Multiples experience obviously a benefit, esp. if yours are early. Less
important if not.
Saturday hours are a huge bonus but sounds like your whole group offers
those. Lucky you :-)
--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)
"Jen in South Florida" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Can anyone offer suggestions on questions to ask/things I might
> want to know as we begin to interview pediatricians? I'm pretty
> set on the practice, now it's just a matter of choosing which of
> the 7 or 8 doctors we like the best.
>
> Any specific issues (good or bad) that have come up with your
> pediatricians?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jen
> edd 12/20/03 - twin boys!
>
multimom4
October 21st 03, 04:21 AM
Our first Ped. was brand new -- VERY thorough but perhaps overly so --
unnecessary tests in the hospital etc., but at least she always erred on the
side of caution which mostly suited us as brand-new parents.
Then she had twins and retired so we got transferred to her partner, very
experienced and in fact he was the doc I was trying to get in the first
place, but back in 1996 he wasn't personally accepting new patients. So he
is our current Ped. and as I may have mentioned he's VERY experienced but
sometimes therefore is a bit "I've Seen It A Million Times, Don't Worry
About It" over the phone without even seeing the child. So far, he's been
right but I guess that's not really my comfort level.
Multiples experience obviously a benefit, esp. if yours are early. Less
important if not.
Saturday hours are a huge bonus but sounds like your whole group offers
those. Lucky you :-)
--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)
"Jen in South Florida" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Can anyone offer suggestions on questions to ask/things I might
> want to know as we begin to interview pediatricians? I'm pretty
> set on the practice, now it's just a matter of choosing which of
> the 7 or 8 doctors we like the best.
>
> Any specific issues (good or bad) that have come up with your
> pediatricians?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jen
> edd 12/20/03 - twin boys!
>
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