What to ask the PED??

So I'm meeting with a PED office next month and have no clue what to ask!!! Is there a thread, website or you girls have your own list you could share of questions that should be asked when going. I'm a nervous reck about this.

Thanks

Re: What to ask the PED??

I'll give you the list of Q s we asked our ped(whatever I can remember):

-Hospital affiliation
-Do they have separate waiting room(s) for sick kids
-What days and hrs are they open?
-Are they open on the weekends?
-What happens if the ped is out(sick, vacation)?
-Do they have an emergency # you can call?
-How soon will they call you back if you call them with questions or concerns
-Will they delay or separate vaccines(if you are concerned about vaccines like many parents)

I can't think of anything else ,but if I do I'll update

Re: What to ask the PED??

Posted by tatuka

I'll give you the list of Q s we asked our ped(whatever I can remember):

-Hospital affiliation
-Do they have separate waiting room(s) for sick kids
-What days and hrs are they open?
-Are they open on the weekends?
-What happens if the ped is out(sick, vacation)?
-Do they have an emergency # you can call?
-How soon will they call you back if you call them with questions or concerns
-Will they delay or separate vaccines(if you are concerned about vaccines like many parents)

I can't think of anything else ,but if I do I'll update

Re: What to ask the PED??

Here is a list I found...

Pediatrician Questions
Name of doctor:
Name of practice:
Location:
Phone:

How did you hear of this doctor?

Use these questions to guide your search for a pediatrician or family doctor. Be sure to click on "printable version" in the yellow box at the top of the page to get a clean, easy-to-use copy of this interview sheet.


About the Practice
You might want to ask the doctor's office staff these questions before you decide whether to interview the physician.

1. Do you take _______________ [name of your insurance]?

2. Is this a solo or group practice? solo / group
• If solo, who covers when the doctor isn't available?
• If group, how often will we see other doctors in the practice?
3. How long has this doctor been in practice? ______ years
4. Does the doctor have any subspecialties?
5. What are your hours?
6. What evening or weekend hours are available?
7. Does your practice encourage parents to call for routine/non-emergency questions? yes/no
8. How will we reach you if my child gets sick after hours?
Who will see the child if he/she is sick? (MD, NP, PA)
9. How can I reach the doctor in an emergency?
10. Wen the doctor's not on call, who covers?
11. Which hospitals is the doctor affiliated with?
12. Does the doctor see newborns in the hospital or at the first office visit?
13. Does the doctor respond to e-mail? yes / no

14. Does the practice have a Web site? yes / no
• If so, what's the URL? ______________________

15. How does the practice handle payments, billing, laboratory charges, and insurance claims?

About the Doctor
Most doctors have only about ten minutes to spare for an interview. If the interview takes longer, some physicians will charge a consultation fee.

1. What do you like best about your job?
2. Do you have children?
3. Will you be available for discussions on my child's behavioral developments (discipline issues, social development, etc.)? yes / no

4. Where are your views on:
• bottle-feeding
• circumcision • antibiotics
• immunizations
• Medications • parenting methods
• childhood obesity
• getting babies to sleep
• alternative medicine

Questions to Ask Yourself
If the doctor answers all your questions effectively but your intuition tells you that the relationship won't be a good fit, examine why, and trust your instincts.

1. Was everything clean? yes / no

2. Is the waiting room pleasant and kid-friendly? yes / no

3. Were toys and books available to occupy your child? yes / no

4. Were the office staff and nurses helpful and patient? yes / no

5. How long were you kept waiting? _____ minutes

6. Does your child seem to respond well to the doctor? yes / no

7. Does the doctor seem to welcome questions? yes / no

8. Does the doctor seem to know about the latest medical advances? yes / no

9. Is the doctor's style of communication a good fit with yours? yes / no

10. Is the doctor more inclined to give you directions or offer you options? directions / options

11. Did you feel comfortable with the doctor? yes / no

12. Was parking readily available? yes / no

Re: What to ask the PED??

Posted by 1stimemom

Posted by tatuka

I'll give you the list of Q s we asked our ped(whatever I can remember):

-Hospital affiliation
-Do they have separate waiting room(s) for sick kids
-What days and hrs are they open?
-Are they open on the weekends?
-What happens if the ped is out(sick, vacation)?
-Do they have an emergency # you can call?
-How soon will they call you back if you call them with questions or concerns
-Will they delay or separate vaccines(if you are concerned about vaccines like many parents)

I can't think of anything else ,but if I do I'll update

That is basically it. Ask about night hrs and/or emergency visits...

Message edited 4/29/2009 9:49:19 PM.

Re: What to ask the PED??

bump