Lee
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You are so funny!
Don't worry - all this will be much easier if you ever have a second child! That's what I kept telling myself!
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We were lucky - our healthcare system (when I lived in Cali) was set up to make everything easier on the patients - not just the doctors. The main medical building hosted evenings for expectant parents to some and have an informal Q&A with one, two and sometimes three different pediatricians. That's how we chose our son's first doc. And, there was no need to call the doctor ahead of time to say, 'We choose you.' Basically, we told the delivery room nurses who the pediatrician was and they handled the rest.
However, when we moved to NY, we went to a group of pediatricians based on a recommendation from my cousin. I needed someone fast and I trusted my cousin's opinion.
I suppose your first step should be to call each doctor's office and ask if they are A) accepting new patients, and B) if they accept your health insurance. The third question should be: Is it possible for me (and my DH) to meet with the pediatrician for a short interview, prior to my due date? If they say yes, than set it up!
For some useful advice and tips on the interview process, check out
BabyCenter. Here's a sample interview sheet:
Pediatrician/Family Physician Interview Sheet
Name: __________________________________________
Location: ________________________________________
Use these questions to guide you during your interview. Although the doctor may answer all the questions effectively, trust your instincts--if the relationship doesn't feel like a good fit, examine why.
Things to Remember:
Most doctors have only about ten to 15 minutes to spare for an interview. If the interview takes longer (up to 30 minutes), some physicians may charge a consultation fee.
Basics:
How long have you been in practice?____________years
What do you like best about your job?________________________
Do you have children of your own?____________________________
Do you have any sub-specialties?_____________________
What kind of parents do you work best with? ___________________
Are you a solo or group practice? solo/group
If solo, who covers for you if you're not available?_________________
If group, how often will I see other doctors?_______________________
What are your hours?_______________________________
Are any evening or weekend hours available?_______________________
How can I reach you in an emergency?__________________
Do you encourage parents to call for routine/non-emergency questions? yes/no
What hospitals are you affiliated with?_____________________
Will you be available for discussions on my child's behavioral developments; that is, tantrums, discipline issues, social development, etc.? yes/no
Baby Care:
Where do you stand on:
bottle-feeding_____________________________________
circumcision______________________________
getting baby to sleep_________________________________
antibiotics___________________________________________
alternative medicine__________________________________
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Did you feel comfortable with the doctor? yes/no
Is the office conveniently located? yes/no
How long were you kept waiting? ______minutes
Did the waiting room and the examination rooms have toys and books to occupy your child? yes/no
Was everything clean? yes/no
How helpful were the nurses and support staff at the office?
__________________________________
