Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

I am in the process of choosing a pediatrician. We interviewed a soloist and then went to a practice - they both had pros and cons so I am asking those of you who have BTDT - what do you prefer and why. TIA for your help :)

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Honestly, I've had both a solo pediatrician and a practice and I've loved them both. The solo ped. I could contact on his cell phone for emergencies and he'd come into the office even on off hours for us. The practice, they have tons of hours, are always available, etc.
It comes down to how you like the doctors, imo, if everything else is comparable. I never thought I'd like a practice because I loved my solo ped., but when we moved and switched to a group, I just loved all the doctors so much that I feel just as happy with them!

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

I had both. Solo Ped is my choice.
Reasons- They get to know you and your family.
They usually are "care themed" versus "money themed'. Big practices usually aim for the biggest $$
The staff is more organized and less frazzled bc they're working for one person rather that a few different personalities.

I switched from a Practice situation. I admit, I loved the easy accessibility and hours even on holidays. HOWEVER, they sure did charge the hell out of me for "weekend visit" or "holiday care visit". Point being- they focus on the patient as $$ not as little bobby who just happened to get an ear infection on the night before July 4th and needs antibiotics.
Reason why I personally won't go for the big practice? My DS was always wisked through a beautiful office with tons of bells and whistles and saw a million people before a real DR. He recently became very ill- 105 fever on and off for 5 days and the two main drs just floated me through blowing me off saying he had a virus. Not returning my calls for hours..saying oh mom, stop worrying yourself. Until he turned blue.. and guess what- they still didn't want me going to a hospital.. they wanted me to come back to the practice so a million physician assistants could guess what's wrong with him and they could make the extra $ on weekend visit. I took him to the ER instead and he was diagnosed with serious bacterial pneumonia- the type that kills. Ok these ******** were too busy making $ instead of diagnosing. I switched.

I'm just speaking of my opinion- i'm sure there are great Practices out there who are patient sensitive.. just haven't found them yet.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

We were going to a Dr in a big practice and decided to switch to a solo dr just recently. It was too chaotic and actually dirty! Not very kid friendly or personal.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

we go to a solo practice (acutally the just took on an associate) and we are very happy there. We are always give time and never rushed.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

we like our solo doctor (he has one associate who helps out when he is out, like on vacation)

he knows our son, loves to see him, is very friendly and laid back, and always answers all of our questions.

he gives his patients his cell phone and always calls back within the hour when you leave a message.

i'm very picky about doctors (i've switched mine about 10 times) i need them to give off the right "vibe" i.e. be friendly, compassionate, and human. Dr. A is all these things and more.

(his office is usually frantic when we see him because we always take the first appointment Saturday morning. there hasn't been a saturday yet when we didn't show up before the receptionist/nurses. )

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

We go to a practice...but, you get to pick which doctor you want to see and it's not "whoever is free will see you". When I first had DS, we went to another practice where you did not have a choice and when you got there, you then knew who you were going to see...I hated it!!!! and I switched him at a month to someone else.

I love my DS's Ped and the entire practice is nothing but amazing.

I love the fact that there is always someone available. We have never waiited more then 10 mins in the waiting room and when we call after hours with a question, there is always someone that calls us back right away.

There are times when his regular Ped is not free or on vacation and I made it a point to meet all the other doctors in the practice because of that and everyone of them made us feel like family.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

We go to a solo practice ped and adore her! I love the personal attention DS receives. She has a home office that she will see patients at on her day off, she is always available on her cell phone. She is so conscientious , she always follows up and checks in on DS if he isn't feeling well. I just don't think you can get this kind of attention at a bigger practice. The office is also run very well, there is never a long wait.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

I've been to both. I started off in a practice that had 5 doctors. I was not happy basically from the beginning. By the time dd was one month old I had seen 3 different doctors and they all had different opinions and different advice for the same issues. I did not like the fact that they didn't know my baby.

When dd was 4 month old I found a solo doctor and I love love love love love my dd pediatrician. She knows both dd and I by name. She knows her history and is always available to answer questions. I like that my daughter has come to know her pediatrician and is comfortable there. She is loving, holds dd, talks to her and is very kid friendly. The wait time is always short I never wait more than 10 minutes and she spend her time with my daughter. I always felt so rushed in the group practice. She is also always reachable through either email or pager after hours. When she is on vacation she always has a covering doctors 2 different ones and I've seen both and I like them as well.

Message edited 8/2/2011 10:13:57 PM.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Thank you so much for your input. I am thinking about interviewing a couple more solo doctors to get a better feel of who's out there. Do any of you who love your peds live in the East Northport/Commack/Dix Hills/Deer Park area???

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

We use a group practice. You can choose your ped for the well visits and have the flexibility, weekend, early morning and evening for emergencies. They have stayed open for me at 5 pm when DD fell down the stairs to check her out and speed up the ER visit that followed. I really love the group we go to and am extremely happy with them.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

I agree with most I am for solo...
I feel they know you and more Importantly - your child better...
A friend of mine...uses a practice...and she stresses when they give conflicting advice...who's advice do you go with???

Good luck picking...wish you lived closer to me I would rec mine

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Posted by jlk51496

I agree with most I am for solo...
I feel they know you and more Importantly - your child better...
A friend of mine...uses a practice...and she stresses when they give conflicting advice...who's advice do you go with???

Good luck picking...wish you lived closer to me I would rec mine

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

i take DS to a solo practice and i love him. He knows my son. The nurses know us. I just feel like i get one on one attention. of course ive never taken DS to a practice before, so i have nothing to compare it to.

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

Posted by Silibee3

Posted by jlk51496

I agree with most I am for solo...
I feel they know you and more Importantly - your child better...
A friend of mine...uses a practice...and she stresses when they give conflicting advice...who's advice do you go with???

Good luck picking...wish you lived closer to me I would rec mine

I know, it stinks that I am not closer - it would make this process much easier! I think I need to try to see a couple of solo doctors so that I can compare those. I originally wanted a solo doctor, but the practice that we went to last night had so much to offer because there were so many doctors and two Nurse Practitioners who are usually better than the doctors themselves

Re: Opinion - Solo Pediatrician vs. A Practice

We have a solo ped and I LOVE her! Can't imagine anybody else taking care of my dd and soon to be ds. Plus she is VERY imvolved in my medical care as well and is a huge supporter in researchng if I should bf or not with my ra. She is amazing and I love that she knows us and our family. SHe always listens and you can call her anytime. When DD was 6mon she had a reaction to her shots and we took dd to her personal home to be evaluated. No charge, and she has come to us before as well. We live oos so it won't help you, but I will never go to another practice for my kids again.