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Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician When interviewing for a pediatrician, it is helpful to have all your questions printed out. Things to know before hand: how many doctors in the practice. Check out the place when you walk in and see if it’s clean, etc. Is the staff friendly or rude? How long did they keep you waiting? Questions of philosophy It's important to have a healthcare provider you feel comfortable with -- after all, this person will be making important decisions about your child. Here are some additional topics you might want to bring up during the interview, focusing on how he or she gels with your philosophy. * What are your views on breastfeeding? * When do you recommend starting solid foods? * Do you recommend circumcision? * What are your thoughts on vaccinations? (Anti-Immunization links / Pro-Immunization links) * How often do you prescribe antibiotics? (The Problem of Drug Resistance) Overview and assessment After the interview, it's time to take stock of what you learned. Make some notes and consider a few more topics, including: * Do you have a compatible philosophy on medical care? * How do your personalities and styles of handling situations mesh? * Do you feel comfortable with this person making healthcare decisions for your child? * How did your child react to the doctor? * Were the office staff friendly and helpful? * Was the waiting room and office clean and child-friendly? * How convenient was the location? Was parking or public transport available? * How many children are seen in a day? (anything over 40 children is probably too much) * What are your feelings on breastfeeding vs. formula? * Circumcision? Recommended/Discouraged, care of? * How do you provide for afterhours emergencies? * How long does it take to get appointments? * Is there a well child and sick child waiting room? Or sick/well child hours? * Average wait time for a scheduled appointment? * How much time is allowed for a routine visit? * What is your approach with antibiotics and immunizations * Vaccines? Vaccination Schedule? Well Baby Schedule? (specifically Chix Pox) * Will my child be examined by the same physician each time or by all the doctors in the group on a rotating basis? * Maybe you could ask how soon she wants to see the baby after you come home. * Will you or other physicians/nurses in the practice discuss health problems over the phone? Do you charge for such "telephone time?" * How do you feel about obtaining a second opinion?
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