When it comes time to pick out your child’s first doctor, it is important to find someone who is compatible with your beliefs, personality type, needs, location and insurance. An interview is a fundamental way of collecting information before venturing into a relationship with your child’s future doctor.
Research: You will want to carefully consider what it is that you look for in a doctor in order to narrow down your search. Some parents prefer a Family Physician so they can all see the doctor together and for the continuity of care this provides. Others feel more comfortable with a specialist in child medicine – a pediatrician. Are you comfortable with an M.D. or a D.O. or doesn’t it matter? What are your health insurance’s rules for finding and using a primary care physician? Must you select from a list of “in network” doctors? How far are you willing to travel? What hospital affiliation do you prefer for your child’s doctor? Once you answer these questions, you will have a greatly-reduced list of doctors from which to call and schedule an interview. Some doctors will be willing to do this over the phone, others will only do this in person. Some doctors will do this free of charge, others charge a full consultation fee (sometimes covered by insurance). Ask these questions up front so there aren’t any surprises.
Preparation: Once you have your appointments, you will want to begin preparing for the interviews. It is helpful to make a physical list of questions as they arise, in advance. Both parents should work, separately, to make their own list of questions. Mothers and Fathers often view medicine and their concerns quite differently so both voices should be heard. Both parents should make interviews, if possible. If not, make sure the parent who attends the interview brings the list of questions for the other parent and takes notes, if necessary. If you have a copy of your child’s birth record, it might be helpful to bring this to your interview for the doctor to review if there are any relevant concerns.
Some common questions parents address at the interview include:
- How much time is allowed for well visits and sick visits?
- what is the doctor’s after hours availability?
- If the doctor practices alone, how does he handle availability if he is ill or on vacation?
- If the doctor practices in a group, will he be available for both sick and well visits or will you be required to see whomever is available in the practice?
- What is your doctor’s views on philosophical areas of childcare such as breastfeeding, vaccinations, circumcision, antibiotics, discipline, childcare, etc?
- Does the office have separate sick waiting rooms?
- How many sick child appointments are available in a given day?
- What are the office hours? Are there any evening or weekend appointments available?
- Does your doctor have any areas of specialty or special interest?
- How are routine questions handled? Do they take and return phone calls? If so, when during his day does he do this and how long can you expect to wait for a return call? Is there a nurse on call? Is there a charge for phone consults?
- How far in advance do well-child visits need to be scheduled?
- Is there a nurse practitioner on staff? How about a lactation consultant? Child behaviorist?
- What sorts of labs and equipment do they have available in office (such as x-ray machines, routine culture labs, vaccines)
- How does the doctor feel about second opinions
- How open is your doctor to alternative medicine?
The Interview: The interview, itself, should be casual and enjoyable. A good interview will leave both doctor and parents feeling connected, seeing eye-to- eye on major issues (and hopefully minor ones as well) and at a place where both are eager to move forward. Was your doctor on time for the visit? How did his office staff, receptionist, nurses and others treat you? Pay attention to how rushed your doctor makes you feel as this may be a good indicator for how you may feel at future visits. Was your doctor friendly and personable? If you bring your children, did they respond well to the doctor and vice-versa? Was the doctor’s bedside manner warm and inviting? Did the doctor listen fully and hear your concerns? How did the doctor’s medical philosophy compare with your own?
The Decision: Never make a decision on the spot. Leave your interview and wait at least 24 hours before making a decision to proceed with a new doctor-patient relationship. Discuss your thoughts and concerns or feelings with your spouse and your child, if old enough. Only when everyone agrees should you proceed ahead. Otherwise, continue searching and interviewing until you find someone who fits well with your family. Also, remember, no relationship is set in stone. If it turns out that you don’t like your doctor’s style, his staff, his policies – you can always leave and find a new doctor. Some insurance plans have restrictive policies on changing primary care physicians but most allow patients to switch pretty easily. Because this is the person you will be trusting with your child’s health and life, you will want to make sure you are all happy.