What’s Up Doc? How to Choose a Physician or Specialist, Important Questions to Ask and More

What’s Up Doc? How to Choose a Physician or Specialist, Important Questions to Ask and More

As with anything in life, consider a team effort when choosing a pediatrician for your child.

Local pediatricians provided advice for parents seeking their first – or a new  – doctor for their child(ren).  “As your pediatrician, I hope that you  allow me to get to know you and your child’s needs  and help us work as a team to keep your child healthy,” says Dr. Julie McClave, a pediatrician with Akron Children’s pediatric primary care office in Mayfield Heights. Even with that ally a call away,  choosing your pediatrician can be a nerve-wracking, difficult decision. For expecting parents, add it to a long list of worries as the due date nears; for those seeking a new doctor, perhaps past experience drives worries when seeking a new medical professional. 

When should I start looking?

Suffice to say, for first-time parents seeking out their first pediatrician, the days and weeks leading up to birth are hectic and worrisome. Is our bag ready? Who’s letting the dog out? For that reason, doctors suggest working ahead on the doctor part  — for one more thing crossed off on the to-do list.

Never mind, of course, that sometimes babies don’t adhere to that whole 40 weeks thing.

“That way, it’s one less thing to worry about once the baby is born,” says Dr. Allie Effron, pediatrician and co-founder of Greater Cleveland Pediatrics. “I recommend choosing a pediatrician at least one month before the due date, so that everything is all set in case the baby comes early.”

What should I ask?

Babies — combined with all else life throws at us    offer many logistical challenges. So when evaluating options for your pediatrician, it’s OK to dive deep on those details. Consider:

Locations: For sick visits, your specific pediatrician may not have an opening. Where are other doctors in the practice located, or if they’re booked, where are other offices to which you will be directed? 

After-hours support: Unfortunately, kids get sick,  frequently — inevitably    and likely get sick at inopportune times. So how will evening and weekend sick calls be handled?

General approach: How does the doctor view preventive medicine? Vaccinations? These are crucial details on which it’s recommended you align.

How can I learn about the practice?

Don’t be afraid to ask for a tour, as most pediatricians offer them and it helps ease parental concerns in this new phase of their child’s life. 

“This is a great way to get a feel for the culture of the office and see if you connect with the team,” Effron says. “You may also want to check out websites and social media to learn more about the practice.”

And, whether we like it or not, offices are occasionally – frequently, even – quite busy. So appointments may be hard to come by, and it may take the office time to respond. Patience is encouraged, though doctors interviewed understand that is hard to achieve from anxious parents.

“Sometimes an office may be very busy, especially during sick season, and we will do our very best to accommodate the needs of your family, but it may mean waiting for a response from the office or seeing another available provider if our schedule is full,”  McClave says.

What if we need a specialist? 

When specialists are needed to join the care plan for your child, frequently, schedules for those specialists — ear, nose and throat, doctors, or dermatologists, for example — are even tighter, and can result in frustrated parents when seeking additional opinions or care.

“If you are referred to a specialist, it’s best to ask your pediatrician for a general timeline of when to expect a visit,” Effron says. “Is this something that can wait a few weeks, or even a few months? Or is an evaluation more urgent? It can also be helpful to ask for recommendations of specific doctors, as certain specialists may have more experience with certain conditions.”

When should my teen switch to a family doctor?

Congratulations, you made it through the infant, toddler, grade school stages, and most of the teenage phase. Doctors say one of the questions they receive most frequently is when parents should switch their child from a pediatrician to a family practitioner. 

“Most pediatricians continue to see their patients through high school and even into early adulthood (18-22 years old),” Dr. Effron says. “So, if your child knows how to drive a car, it’s a good idea to start discussing this with your pediatrician so that you can be prepared for the transition to a new doctor.” 

 McClave agrees, citing changing needs for the child patient.

“We usually encourage patients to switch from a pediatrician to a family physician or internal medicine physician when the child reaches adulthood (early 20s), although this can vary based on the needs of the patient and the pediatrician’s comfort,” she says. “As you grow into an adult, your healthcare needs can change and typically this is a good time to discuss that transition with your pediatrician. This transition may happen sooner if you have a baby of your own, or desire a more ‘adult’ setting for your ongoing care.”

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