I wrote out a list of things that matter to me and they decided on a pediatrician from there. A few examples:
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Approach to vaccines – Are they vaccine-friendly or follow the CDC schedule? If you have a specific approach you’re looking for (delayed, spaced, etc.), make sure they're aligned with it.
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Who your child sees for sick visits – Some practices rotate between nurse practitioners and pediatricians. Are you okay seeing a NP sometimes, or do you want to always see the same doctor?
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Same-day appointments – how easy is it to get in.
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Office vibe & staff – culture!
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Location & parking – traffic matters!
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How they handle developmental concerns – Do they have in-house support or referrals for speech, OT, etc. if needed?
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Communication preferences – Do they use a patient portal? Will they respond to questions over email or just phone?
A great tip: Schedule a meet-and-greet appointment (many practices offer these for free!) so you can get a feel for the pediatrician’s style and ask all your questions.
