Pediatrician - Interview Questions

Everyone says you need to inverview the pediatrician... some will do this... many won't. My sister did this and even after the interview she left three pediatricians... I think you just have to have an appointment and see how YOU feel about it. I agree that word of mouth is one of the best ways you can find a good one but it all comes down to personalities. :) I have two children... have gone through four pediatricians due to moves/etc and have never interviewed one...even after reading in all the books that you should.

One thing I'd ask my friends about any referrals is: is there a nurse that you can call after hours if you have a question... that was one of THE biggest helps -- some dr offices charge a fee for this -- others dont. That's been a HUGE headache saver for me though.

Good luck and congrats!

I just had my baby in February. We love our pediatrician, although I know it wouldn't be convenient for you. Anyway, some questions to ask: Hours available, after-hours care or call center available (our peditrician has nurses available after hours to answer any questions, which is a life-saverr for new moms!), hospital affiliations, be sure you like the doctor's nurse too as you will interact more with her than the doctor sometimes. Just my two cents, congrats on the new baby - its lots of fun!

Hi there, Two suggestions that I have learned from past experience. 1. make sure you like ALL the pediatricians in the office. In the event of a pediatrician's day off and a sick baby, you have the potential to see another person in the office (if not another doctor in office, I wouldn't go, the back up in nice.
2. make sure they have extended or weekend hours to meet your work schedule.
Good luck.

You can look on the internet and get lists of questions. A few things I like about my pediatrician is they are really good about getting you in even if you call late in the day and you almost always get in to see your doctor. You probably also want to find out if you call after hours, who do you talk to. With my pediatrician, if I call after hours it patches you into Cook Children's hospital downtown and you talk to a real nurse. Just a few helpful tips! Good luck in searching.

hello I have one boy 17 months and when we where looking for a pediatrician I asked lots of questions.
1) how long are the usually waiting times?
2)how many years as pediatric Dr.? Board certified?
3)Are you or have you done pediatric surgery?
4) Why did you want to be a pedeatric Doctor?
Those are some of the things I wanted to know because I have seen to many Doctors in my life time that I want a Doctor I trust and feel very comfortable with.
Oh another queation
5)Will he/she be performing the circumcision if it is a boy and where, the hospital or the Dr. office.
Well thats what I can remember asking. So good luck and feel free to write back with anything else you feel I could be of help. Good luck and congrats!!
S.

I am looking for pedis as well! I'm asking about well-baby check ups vs. sick kids (like, are they in the same waiting room. I dont want to bring a healthy baby to an office full of sick patients, ya know?)
Circumsisian questions (if you do or not, what cleaning tech, etc)
If they are for breastfeeding
About immunizations

So far, thats my list! hahha, any more advice is so helpful! (i'll be reading the other responses;)

Hope that helps
-S.