by Ritu Chandra, M.D.

I need a pediatrician for my child, but I don’t know where to start.

Choosing a pediatrician is certainly a very important exercise for a new parent.

The three most important criteria on which this important decision should be based: the pediatrician’s training and qualifications, the pediatrician’s bedside manner and the availability of the pediatrician.

In the search, the best place to start would be to ask for references from friends and colleagues who have children. If someone that you trust has already tried a pediatrician, and they like the doctor and the office, then you might want to consider that pediatrician.

After you have made a short list of pediatricians, try to set up a time with the pediatricians to meet with them and interview them. When you make the phone call to the office and ask to set up a time to meet the pediatrician, you will get a good feeling about the office based upon how they respond to your request. Some pediatricians are so busy that they may not even take the time to meet with you, while others will say that they’d be happy to meet with you. If the pediatrician is already too busy, you might not want to join their big herd of patients.

When you go to meet the pediatrician, notice how the front office greets you. Do they attend to you promptly? Look around the office facility. Are there any toys or puzzles in the waiting room that will keep your child entertained during the wait period? Are the exam rooms decorated to be child friendly? Is the office kept clean? Most importantly, when you meet the pediatrician eye to eye, you will get a sense of whether or not the pediatrician is friendly toward you and your child.

Important topics to discuss with the pediatrician:
• Tell me about your training.
• Are you board certified?
•If I have a question, can I reach you after hours?
• How soon will I be able to get an appointment when my child falls sick?
• To which hospitals do you admit patients?
• Who covers for you when you take time off?
• Do you answer questions by e-mail?
• Does the office have evening or weekend hours?
• Typically, what is the wait time after you arrive at the office for a scheduled appointment?
• Do you have any particular areas of interest in pediatrics?

Lastly, you should also go the website of the state licensing board and run a report on the pediatrician to check if the pediatrician has ever had any major disciplinary actions.

Your final decision will be based largely upon which pediatrician you felt most comfortable with. The Chattahoochee Valley has an abundance of good pediatricians, and you will definitely be able to find a pediatrician that meets the needs of your child.

Dr. Chandra recently opened a solo pediatric practice in Phenix City to meet the needs of local moms. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.