Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
As soon as your child is born, they will need a qualified pediatrician to provide exceptional healthcare. Choosing the right pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. A decent pediatrician is key to your child’s health, providing indispensable care and guidance through their growth. While there are many qualified pediatricians, finding someone who aligns with your family’s needs and values can take some thoughtful consideration. Not all pediatricians are alike; some may even lack the expertise or care quality your child needs. Whether expecting a baby or looking to switch pediatricians, you must know how to make the best decision.
Positive Qualities
A good healthcare provider will exhibit friendliness, expertise, and care concerning your family and child’s health. It’s ideal to look for some positive qualities to get a good idea of how you feel about your pediatrician. If you feel good about them, chances are you’re in good hands.
Good Bedside Manner
Medical visits aren’t always pleasant; examinations, vaccinations, or tests may be scary or slightly painful, especially for a child. A pediatrician should be friendly and work well with kids to help keep them calm. They may not be able to ease a child’s fears fully, but they should do their best to connect with their patients. They should be polite and invested in your family and your child’s health.
Communication
A good pediatrician will communicate with you to explore your options for treatment and preventative care. They will also try to communicate with your child to help them understand when they reach the appropriate age. They will take extra time to inform you about the results and remind you of upcoming appointments.
Availability
Your pediatrician should be available for regular appointments. It’s normal for a doctor to go on vacation or take leave sometimes, but this shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. If you can schedule appointments promptly, this is a good sign. They shouldn’t rush you through an appointment and respect your time and your family.
Collaborative
A good pediatrician will want your input and insight into your child’s health and symptoms. They will work with you to find the right treatment and medication. While you should trust your doctor’s training and expertise, they should also consider your perspective. They should never be dismissive of your concerns or claims.
Red Flags
Unfortunately, not all pediatricians will be a good fit. You’re likely not wrong if you feel something is off with your child’s doctors or treatment. As a first step, you should learn the signs of poor-quality care to move on if necessary.
Poor Communication
A decent pediatrician will give you regular updates about your child’s condition, healthcare plan, and test results. They should also remind you about upcoming appointments and appropriately follow up afterward. Finding a more communicative doctor may be a good idea if they never seem to get in touch or discuss anything with you.
Unavailable
A pediatrician isn’t worth much if you can’t schedule an appointment with them. Waiting periods are normal, but they should be relatively invested in seeing you promptly when an illness or condition arises. If you can’t ever seem to get in touch with your doctor or only see their nurses, you’ll want a more available doctor.
Abusive
Most healthcare providers, including pediatricians, provide quality care for their patients. However, some bad actors may try to isolate patients or engage in inappropriate behavior with your child. It’s okay for a doctor to be alone with a child, but continuously needing isolation to examine your child may be a red flag. Keep in mind that some physicians request a parent’s absence to ensure the parent isn’t engaging in abusive behavior; this is standard procedure and does not indicate they believe you’re abusive. If your child complains of inappropriate behavior or there are cameras or other red flags in the examination room, you should report it immediately to law enforcement. You may want to consult with experienced legal counsel, such as Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.
Poor Bedside Manner
A pediatrician will routinely work with kids who may be uncooperative, scared, or unpleasant; this doesn’t mean that friendliness or care quality should drop. Your child’s doctor should never be rude, dismissive, or cold. They shouldn’t needlessly scare your child or dismiss your concerns. Rude behavior has no place in child healthcare; there are plenty of decent, friendly pediatricians who will put more care into your child’s wellbeing. You won’t want to establish a habit of being scared or adverse to healthcare visits.
Bad Reviews
If a pediatrician or their staff has consistently bad reviews, there may be a reason for this. While it’s normal for any business or healthcare office to receive a bad review occasionally, it should not be regular. Read the reviews to see what they detail. If the issues bother you, you may want to move on or select another pediatrician.
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
