Maybe you’re a first-time parent who has no idea where to start looking for a pediatrician, or perhaps you were happy with your child’s doctor, but you need to find a new one after relocating. As with finding a general practitioner for yourself, locating a pediatrician that meets all of the needs of you and your children can be quite a challenge. You can make the decision easier on yourself by following some simple steps.

If you’re near a hospital, you could start your search by asking the facility’s pediatrics department to provide you with a list of local doctors. It’s often easier to simply go online and search for pediatricians in your area, but the number of results can be rather overwhelming, especially in larger cities. It’s important to shrink this list down by looking at which practices are near your home. “Near” is certainly a relative term that differs from person to person, but you should consider whether your child has any severe or chronic illnesses that may warrant frequent visits to the doctor. If so, you should place a premium on proximity. Another way to narrow your research is by reading through online reviews for the physicians near you. While these often-anonymous comments aren’t the most reliable way to judge a doctor’s medical merits, they can be an excellent hint to the doctor’s bedside manner. If you notice repeated complaints about a pediatrician’s demeanor, it may be time to cross him or her off your list.

With your shortened list of possible choices, you may want to schedule meetings with each of the doctors on your list. Visit each facility in turn, taking stock of their front office, as well as the way the staff addresses you and how organized they seem to be. All other things being equal, competent staff members who pay attention to detail can make a huge difference in the level of care you receive at one office – they might even be the deciding factor as you make your choice. Of course, you’re far more likely to be interested in what the doctor will say and do. When you make your way into the face-to-face meeting with the pediatrician, be sure to examine everything he or she does. Is she friendly to your child? Is he explaining any issues or problems in language you can understand? Spouting long strings of medical jargon might make the doctor seem impressive, but remember that you need to understand what’s going on with your child so you can properly care for him or her. That means you need a pediatrician who is willing to answer all of your questions using laymen’s terms.

Before concluding your visit, discuss the practice’s schedule. Are they open during evening hours? It can be convenient to find a doctor’s office with more flexible hours, especially when balancing work and child care. Also be sure to inquire as to whether the office accepts urgent appointments, which may be a make-or-break feature for many parents. While you can always take your child to the hospital for true emergencies, such a drastic and expensive step might not be necessary if you can make a quick appointment to have your pediatrician check your child’s symptoms before heading for the emergency room.

Keep repeating this process with every pediatrician on your list until you have found doctors who meet all of your specifications. Of course, you could always make this process shorter by simply asking other parents at your workplace, or your child’s school or day care, for their personal recommendations. No matter how you approach the issue, remember that your child’s health may depend on your choice

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice on a variety of topics, including those pertaining to health.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice on a variety of topics, including those pertaining to health. http://www.lsiphysicianrelations.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice on a variety of topics, including those pertaining to health.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: pediatrician, doctor, general practitioner, find a doctor