There is nothing so important to a parent than making sure that their child has access to the very best medical care. Choosing the right pediatrician for your little one can be a difficult task that is wholly dependant on your needs and style preferences.
If you are expecting your first child — or moving to a new area — and looking for a new pediatrician, the best plan is to make a list of your needs. Then the research can begin. Many doctors, including Utah Pediatrics near Sandy, have websites available these days with a complete outline of their services as well as operating hours and even reviews.
Once you have an initial list of candidates, you can start making appointments for a “get to know you” type of consultation with each doctor. Along with personal recommendations and your own research, a one-on-one meeting is really the best way to determine if each doctor meets your needs. There is no better way than that to get a good impression of each doctor’s personal and professional style.
Style is a very important component of choosing a pediatrician for your infant or teen. It is vital that the type of service that is being provided is within your limits of comfort. Some doctors have a very hands-on and personal approach, whereas others are more apt to be a counsellor that can make educated recommendations to be decided on by the parents.
If your child has any special needs, this is an important aspect of choosing your pediatrician. For children with allergies, behavioural issues, asthma or chronic illness, it is to their advantage to choose a doctor that is familiar with their background and issues. Having a pediatrician with professional contacts to needed specialists is something that should be considered.
Pediatricians traditionally are capable of serving a child from birth right through their adolescence. However, talking with candidates about their specific services for teens will give you a good idea of what might be better for your older child. Some doctors are more at ease with older children and may have special services in place for treating your teen.
One of the considerations in looking for a pediatrician is whether to look for a small practice or a large one. There are advantages to both options so it remains a matter of personal preference. A small practice may be able to provide a better personal experience; your doctor is much more likely to be intimately familiar with you and your child’s needs. With a larger practice you may be able to take advantage of shared duties between specialists, as well as likely enjoying a better rate of availability.
When thinking about the needs of a hospital visit, it is important to know where each pediatrician candidate has privileges. The main office may be close to your location, but if they only have hospital privileges more than an hour away, that is something to consider. Finding out what the emergency availability is for each candidate is another aspect to consider.
Every parent wants to make sure that they are entrusting their child into the best care. Choosing a doctor is an intensely personal choice and one that you have to make on behalf of your child. If your child is older, include them in the decision-making process and find out what they think of each candidate. Doing your research and having all the information at hand is a great start to choosing the best pediatrician for you.
