Canvas Prints
The greatest way to begin your search for a physician is to ask other parents you know and trust. They are likely to be familiar with you, your preferences, and your requirements. You should also get guidance from your doctor. She will be familiar with area paediatricians who are knowledgeable and well-respected in the medical community.
If you’re new to the area, you may ask a neighbouring hospital, medical school, or county medical association for a list of paediatricians. If you have a managed care plan, you will most likely be obliged to select a paediatrician from their approved network of providers.
Once you’ve identified a few physicians to interview, call them and set up a personal meeting with each of them during the last months of your pregnancy. Many physicians welcome such preliminary interviews into their hectic schedules.
Before you visit with the physician, his office staff should be able to answer the following questions:
Does the paediatrician accept new patients covered by my insurance or managed care plan?
When and where are the office hours? When is the most convenient time to call with routine questions?
What is the office’s policy on billing and insurance claims?
Is payment expected at the time of the appointment?
If feasible, both parents should attend the physician interviews to ensure that you both agree on the paediatrician’s policies and perspective regarding child care.
You should not be frightened or ashamed to ask questions. Here are some ideas to get you started. –
When will your baby’s first visit to the paediatrician be?
When you are admitted to the hospital to deliver your baby, most hospitals ask for the name of your paediatrician. The delivery nurse will contact the on-call paediatrician or her associate as soon as your baby is born. Your kid should be evaluated at birth if they experienced any difficulties during pregnancy or delivery. Otherwise, the inspection might take place at any point within the 24-hour period.
Inquire with the paediatrician about being present for the initial examination. This will allow you to learn more about your kid and obtain answers to any questions you may have, such as when your baby’s next examinations will be.
Paediatricians typically evaluate infants and consult with parents before releasing babies from the hospital. This allows the doctor to spot any problems that may have emerged, and it also allows you to ask any questions that have come up during your hospital stay before you leave. Your physician will also tell you when to plan your baby’s first office visit and how to contact her if a medical concern arises before then. • Identify any
When can I reach the doctor via phone? E-mail?
Some paediatricians have a set time each day when you can call them with inquiries. If members of the office staff answer these calls on a regular basis, inquire about their training. In addition, ask your physician for recommendations to assist you to decide which inquiries may be answered over the phone and which require an office visit. Some paediatricians prefer to interact via e-mail. There are security considerations here, but it might help strengthen your relationship with the doctor overall. Which hospital does the doctor prefer?
Inquire with your physician about where to take your kid if he or she becomes extremely ill or is wounded. Find out who would really care for your child if he was admitted to the hospital if it is a teaching hospital with interns and residents.
What happens if an emergency occurs?
Find out whether the paediatrician accepts her own after-hours emergency calls. If not, how are such calls dealt with? Inquire whether the physician treats patients after usual office hours or if you must send your kid to an emergency department or urgent care centre. When feasible, see the doctor at her office because hospitals can demand lengthy paperwork and long waits before your kid receives attention.
Serious medical issues, on the other hand, are typically better managed in a hospital, where professionals and medical equipment are constantly accessible.
Who “covers” the practice when your paediatrician is out of the office?
If your doctor works in a group practice, you should meet the other doctors since they may treat your kid in your paediatrician’s absence. If your podiatrist works alone, he will most likely have a coverage arrangement with other doctors in the town. Usually, your paediatrician’s answering service will automatically refer you to the doctor on call, but it’s a good idea to inquire about the names and phone numbers of all the doctors who receive these calls—just in case you have difficulties reaching your own doctor.
If your kid is seen by another doctor late at night or on the weekend, call your own paediatrician the next morning (or first thing Monday, after the weekend). Your doctor is likely already aware of what has occurred, but this phone contact allows you to update him and comfort yourself that everything is being handled as he would prescribe.
How frequently will the paediatrician visit your child for checkups and vaccinations?
Within the first twenty-four hours of her existence, your infant should get a medical examination (plus a follow-up checkup before you and she are discharged from the hospital). The American Academy of Pediatrics advises another checkup one month later, as well as two, four, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, eighteen, and twenty-four months later, and yearly afterwards. Discuss the disparity with the doctor if she usually schedules examinations more or less frequently than this.
How much does care cost?
Your doctor should have a set price structure in place for hospital and office visits, as well as after-hours and home visits (if he makes them). Check to see if the fees for routine appointments include vaccines. Before you require treatment, be sure you are aware of the breadth of your insurance coverage.
Following these interviews, consider if you agree with the paediatrician’s philosophy, policy, and practice. You must have confidence in him and believe that your inquiries and concerns will be addressed compassionately.
You should also feel at ease with the workers and the overall vibe of the workplace. The most crucial test of the physician you’ve chosen will be how he cares for your kid and reacts to your concerns after your baby comes. If you are dissatisfied with any element of your and your child’s care, you should speak with the physician immediately about the issue. If the response does not address your concerns, or if the situation cannot be remedied, seek the advice of another doctor.
