When choosing a pediatrician for your child, you need to make sure that you will feel comfortable that the care offered is compatible with your beliefs as a parent. Before choosing a pediatrician, make sure that you are satisfied with the answers to these eight simple questions:

One: Do all pediatricians that work in your office communicate regularly on patient practices and procedures?

You can expect some varying levels of care and opinions within the group, but you don’t want there to be a great conflict among the approaches used as they will occasionally have to look after other patients. Healthy communication among the different doctors can only improve the level of care your family will receive.

Two: What consideration is used to consider the long term effects of prescribed treatment?

There is a level of controversy surrounding the over-prescribing of drugs and treatments, such as antibiotics, steroids, behavior-controlling medications, and pain control substances. Do your research to find out your feelings on this and make sure your pediatric choice is in alignment with it.

Three: How frequently does your pediatrician opt to use natural treatments, such as herbs, supplements, or non-medical therapy?

Sometimes it is best to seek non-medical therapy for a child, especially one who is already dependent on regular medications. Sometimes this is done to prevent drug interaction. Other times it is done to correct the natural imbalance that is causing the problem.

Four: Is your pediatric office accommodating to the needs of older children?

Most pediatric practices are decorated and staffed in order to make younger children comfortable and at ease. When a child enters puberty, they may be reluctant to go to the pediatrician because “it is babyish” or they don’t feel that their shifting maturity is being accommodated or respected.

Five: Is your pediatrician willing to call in prescriptions without a doctor visit for obvious or recurring problems?

Sometimes a medical situation does not need to be diagnosed; it just needs to be cured. Thrush, allergies, recurring rashes, infections, etc. are often obvious problems. Will you be able to call your pediatrician’s office, explain the problem, and have them call in a prescription?

Six: Will your pediatrician take time to explain to you in basic terminology what is going on in your child?

The peace of mind of knowing that your pediatrician has carefully examined and understood the cause of your child’s issue comes when they are willing to take the time to give you a careful explanation.

Seven: Does your pediatric practice open on weekends for emergency issues?

If you are certain your child has something minor, such as a painful ear infection and it is Friday night, will you have to choose between waiting until Monday or going through the emergency room to get treatment?

Eight: How willing is your pediatrician to listen intently to your observations, ideas, and concerns about the issue going on with your child?

There is no doubt that you will know your child so much better than your pediatrician. You will know what is and isn’t normal for him. You may also have some ideas about treatment that your doctor had not suggested. If it is important to you to be heard AND listened to, this will be an important consideration.

This is a basic list of eight questions you will want to have answered by your pediatrician. You will also have some questions of your own. It is your child. You deserve to be satisfied that she will be getting the very best of care.