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One of the most important decisions you will make when your child is still a baby is choosing their primary pediatrician. Of course, you can change to another provider later on, but it will make things easier for your child and help your child get the best possible service by staying with one doctor. So, the question that comes to mind is “How do I choose the best pediatrician for my child?”
The most important thing to consider is the abilities and personalities of those your child will be seeing in the office each visit. You want a doctor and staff of others who are comfortable working with children. Unfortunately, there are many who are in the business that don’t truly have a passion for working with children. The doctor and his staff’s abilities are also very important. If you feel uncomfortable about what the doctor suggests, get a second opinion or find a new doctor.
Another important consideration is the location and size of the office. You do not want to have to drive 45 minutes each time your child has to visit the doctor. Sick kids don’t usually enjoy car rides. The size of the office is more a personal opinion. I prefer taking my child to a larger practice. There are several doctors on staff that specialize in different types of office visits so I know we are getting the best attention. Additionally, the office has several nurse practitioners and medical assistants on staff so that the easy cases are handled quickly without having to wait for a doctor.
Finally, you simply want an office your child will be comfortable in. This may mean going to a doctor’s office with toys, video games and fish tanks in the waiting room. These are minor things to adults, but to a child it can make the difference between being terrified and feeling comfortable.
