Five Things You Should Check before Your Next Visit to the Pediatric Office
Choosing a pediatrician is a decision that parents cannot take lightly. If you are going to the pediatrician’s office for the first time or visiting after a dissatisfying previous visit, preparation is the key to a successful visit to the doctor’s clinic.
Consider these five things to check before your next visit to the pediatric office.
The Doctor’s Credentials
You may have selected your doctor based on a friend’s recommendations. But did you really check the credentials of your pediatrician? Is the pediatrician board-certified? Does the doctor have additional qualifications such as specialization in neurology or endocrinology? If your kid has a heart condition or any other medical problem, can the pediatrician treat it or refer you to the right specialist? Before you need to visit the pediatrician again, consider your child’s health needs and if they are being met by the current doctor.
The Doctor’s Practice
Some parents may be fine with a pediatrician with a private solo practice. But many parents prefer pediatricians from a group practice. It offers the convenience of a doctor’s availability every time even when your pediatrician is unavailable due to any emergency or genuine reason. If your child becomes sick when your pediatrician is not available, another doctor from the practice will be able to accommodate your needs.
For example, services like Gaithersburg pediatrics may be really advanced. But the prospective or current practice must meet your needs.
The Doctor’s Behavior
Doctors also have different behavioral traits and practice philosophies. One pediatrician’s approach may not be ideal for you even if it may be right. Before your next pediatric visit, think and evaluate if you are completey satisfied with the way your doctor treats your child or answers your queries. Some parents want the doctor to clarify their queries about medicines prescribed, diagnosis, and others things during every visit. Other parents may not feel the need to know every little detail about a prescription. They may trust that the doctor will provide them with all the information that they need.
Consider other things also. Do you find your doctor reassuring? Is your doctor a good listener? Do you think the pediatrician is diligent with the checkups? Do you feel judged by the doctor if your parenting philosophy doesn’t match with the doctor’s recommendations? These can be about breastfeeding or food choices.
The Clinic’s Setup
The way a clinic’s waiting area is decorated says a lot about the practice. Does your child feel comfortable being in the pediatrician’s clinic? Are there toys and games available for kids in the waiting area? Is the furniture comfortable? Is the clinic neat and tidy?
How is the support staff? Do you feel the receptionist responds to your call or queries properly? Do they accommodate your need for urgent visit to the doctor?
The Overall Experience
Did you feel comforted by your visit to the pediatrician in terms of the doctor’s behavior and treatment? Were you instead distressed after the visit? Was your child comfortable with the doctor? The overall experience with a pediatrician depends not only on the doctor and the clinic but also the parents’ diligence.
Did you take your child to visit the doctor when it was time for her nap? Was your kid fussy at the doctor’s because she was hungry? Did her fussiness come in the way of her treatment? Did you come prepared with a list of the questions so that you could alleviate your doubts without taking up too much time? There can be instances when a doctor can’t see you for more than the stipulated time if other parents are waiting for their appointments.
It is not necessary that the doctor is not willing to answer your questions. But at times perhaps due to time constraints, the doctor may not be able to respond to all your queries. In such cases, examine if the doctor provided you with all the information regarding your kid’s current treatment or details about a well-child visit.
You can check your preparedness also before visiting the pediatrician to ensure a good experience for you and your child.