Your BabyA DOCTOR FOR

How to Choose

1

From the moment you learn you’re expecting

a baby, you probably start to plan. Maybe you’ll

plan how his or her nursery will look, what

his or her name will be, or if he or she will be

fed breast milk, formula or a combination of

the two.

Though it might not seem like an urgent matter while your

baby is in utero, choosing the right doctor for your child

is just as important as picking out a crib or deciding what

he or she will be fed.

Your baby can see a pediatrician, a family doctor or a pediatric nurse practitioner for his or her medical care.

A pediatrician, or doctor specializing in pediatrics, has had specialized training that focuses solely on the

health of children from birth to 21 years. A family doctor can treat patients of all ages from birth through

adulthood. He or she has had training in a variety of areas including pediatrics, internal medicine and

obstetrics and gynecology.

A pediatric nurse practitioner has a master’s degree in nursing, and like a pediatrician, has chosen to

focus solely on the care of children, teens and young adults. He or she can perform physical exams,

make diagnoses, write prescriptions and provide treatment. If a pediatric nurse practitioner encounters a

difficult medical case, he or she usually will consult with a doctor.

What are My Options?

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Pediatrician

Family Doctor

Pediatric Nurse

Practitioner

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends beginning your search by asking fellow parents or your obstetrician for recommendations.

If you’re new to an area, the AAP suggests contacting your county’s

medical society, or local hospitals for a list of pediatricians in your area.

If a parent gives you a recommendation, asking the following questions can

help you narrow down your search:

• How does your child respond to the doctor and how does your doctor

respond to your child?

• Does the doctor give you time to ask questions?

• What is the wait time usually like?

• If it is a multi-physician practice, do you like the other physicians?

• Is there anything you don’t like?

Do your research: Now that you’ve got a list of recommendations, research

each candidate. Consider:

• Is he or she accepting new patients?

• His or her stance on issues that are important to you. These can

include issues like breastfeeding, vaccinations, co-sleeping or

baby wearing.

• The office hours and location of each office. Pay attention to whether

the office is conveniently located near your home or your child’s

day care.

• If the office has separate entrances for sick and well patients.

• If the provider is participating in your health insurance plan.

Tips forChoosing a Provider

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Questions to Ask

• Which hospitals have given you privileges?

• Do you have a nurse line to answer routine questions?

• How do you handle after-hours emergencies or questions?

• Do other physicians cover for you?

• Do you communicate by email?

• Do you use electronic medical records?

• What are your philosophies on breastfeeding, use of antibiotics, co-sleeping (or any other parenting issue important to you)?

• How do you handle referrals if my child needs to see a specialist?

• • • •

Other Considerations:

• Are the office staff and nurses compassionate and courteous?

• Do you feel rushed during your visit?

• Does the doctor communicate clearly and make an effort to answer all your questions?

• Are the exam rooms and waiting areas clean?

• Do you trust the doctor?

Use the Administrators in Medicine portal to discover the licensing background of each physician and whether any disciplinary actions have been taken against them. Or you can check your state’s medical board fora searchable list of physicians. The AAP also maintains a list of Fellows of the American of Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).

Make an appointmentto interview each doctor:Once you’ve narrowed down your list, make an

appointment with each doctor for an interview.

Consider his or her experience:If your child has a specific condition, a provider’s

experience may play a role in your consideration process.

If your child’s condition requires him or her to have

procedures, ask how many procedures the doctor has

completed and the complication rates.

Know whether the doctor is in-network:Seeing a doctor that is in-network with your health

insurance provider results in lower costs for you. Keep in

mind, however, that just because a physician accepts your

insurance doesn’t mean he or she is in your provider’s

network. To determine if a doctor you like is in your

health insurance network, call the customer service

number on your insurance card and verify his or her

network status.

Don’t forget abouthospital quality and location:Research the hospitals where your doctor is affiliated and

keep in mind each hospital’s ratings and location.

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During your child’s first months of life, you will be making several trips to the doctor’s office for checkups.

These visits make sure your child is meeting his or her growth and developmental

milestones and will be used to administer appropriate vaccines. After his

or her first birthday, the frequency of well visits decreases. Here’s

what a typical schedule looks like.

What to Expect at a CheckupBabyhood and childhood is a time of rapid growth and

change. To make sure your baby is on track and to

look for any signs of infection or disease, the doctor

will usually examine your baby’s head, mouth, ears,

skin, heart and lungs, hips and legs, genitalia, eyes and

abdomen.

In addition to administering necessary vaccines and

evaluating your baby, the doctor may ask about your baby’s

activities, discuss his or her sleeping and eating habits, check

his or her vision and hearing and ask you about any special

concerns you have.

Expecting a baby is an exciting time full of preparation and planning. Incorporating

the search for a doctor for your baby into your planning can ensure you have the right

professional ready to care for your newest family member when he or she arrives.

Ready to start your search?Meet Ohio Medical Group’s dedicated family

physicians specializing in pediatric care.

A Checklist for Checkups

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Typical Checkup Ages

• 2 to 5 days

• 2 months

• 4 months

• 6 months

• 9 months

• 12 months

• 18 months

• 2 years

• Yearly after age 2

www.PartnersForYourHealth.com

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and fill your prescriptions online at your

convenience 24 hours a day.

We’ll schedule an appointment for an adult or

pediatric primary care visit on the very same day you

or your child needs immediate care.

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