HEALTHY FAMILY
Tips for Selecting
a Pediatrician
LOOK OUT FOR
RED FLAGS
DR. KEANE NOTES
THE FOLLOWING:
▶ short hours
▶ multiple offices
▶ hard to get through to on the
phone ▶ lost their license (even if they
got it back)
“If people say they have trouble
getting referrals or they aren’t
sure their doctor listens to them
or takes them seriously, then
consider how you would feel if
that were you,” she says.

DR. DEY:
“A pediatrician is a good fit if
you can engage in open, honest
conversations about your
child’s health.”
24 Washington FAMILY JANUARY 2023
eing pregnant with a new baby is
exciting and a little scary. Before
your baby is born, you may feel over-
whelmed with information and decisions
that you need to make regarding their care.

Figuring out who will be your child’s doctor
is one of the most important decisions you
need to make as a parent.

As a mom of three kids, I remember this
process well. Before my twins were born, I met
with a pediatrician and had a list of questions.

A lot of people in my community used this doc-
tor, and he answered all of my questions, but I
didn’t really like his personality.

“When choosing a pediatrician, it’s
important to trust your instinct,” says Dr.

Ruby Dey, a pediatrician at Kaiser Perma-
nente practicing in Columbia Gateway.

I overlooked this “red flag,” ignoring my
instincts, and I decided to use him anyway.

About six months later, my kids had two
different issues that he didn’t address, so I
switched doctors. Fortunately, my kids are
all fine and thriving, but hopefully you won’t
have to switch doctors like I did.

Here are some tips to help you find a doctor
who is a good fit for you and your family.

love to talk about their pediatricians and
will usually steer you in the right direction
for who to interview. Your insurance com-
pany or the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) website, which lists pediatricians by
locale, are other great sources.

Location Hopefully, your child will not need to visit
the doctor often, but when your child is sick
or hurt, you don’t want to have to travel a
long distance.

One time, my son was having trouble
breathing because he had pneumonia. My
doctor’s office was only five minutes away,
and the physicians told me to bring him in
immediately and they gave him a cortisone
shot. He was breathing better within min-
utes, and I was grateful the practice was
close to our house.

Doulas of Northern Virginia suggests
considering the following questions in its
“Guide to Choosing a Pediatrician.”
“If your baby’s doctor is not available,
can they see other doctors in the practice?
How can you contact your child’s doctor
after hours or in an emergency? How soon
are phone calls and electronic messages
returned? Is there a nurse line?”
Ask for Recommendations
If you are a new mom in a new community
like I was, it may be difficult to find rec- Experience
ommendations. Asking local mom groups This is a tough one because I’ve dealt with
who they use for a doctor is a great place experienced doctors that were so rigid that
to start your search. You can ask your own they misdiagnosed an issue. I’ve also seen
primary care doctor and OB-GYN for their new doctors that made mistakes because of
suggestions, too.

their inexperience. But Dr.

“Ask around at your pre-
Dey says that being new to
natal group, any nurses
the field might not matter.

you know, people at your
“Keep in mind that if a
house of worship or clubs,”
pediatrician doesn’t have
suggests Dr.

Virginia much experience, they can
Keane, an attending phy-
consult with their more
sician and the director of
experienced peers
if the Complex Primary Care
needed,” she says. “At
Program at Mt. Washing-
Kaiser Permanente, our
ton Pediatric Hospital
pediatricians are part of a
in Baltimore.

large multispecialty practice
She explains that people
with access to hundreds
DR. VIRGINIA KEANE
FATCAMERA/E+/GETTY IMAGES; KEANE PROVIDED
B BY CHERYL MAGUIRE



HEALTHY FAMILY
“When choosing
a pediatrician, it’s
important to trust
your instinct.”
Why did you decide to be a pediatrician?
What hours do you work?
Am I able to see you the same day for a
sick visit?
What if I need to see a specialist? How is
that handled?
—DR. RUBY DEY
What hospitals are you affi liated with?
of experienced pediatricians and specialists.”
You might not be concerned about the
length of time they have been practicing,
but you can make sure they are board-certi-
fi ed as a pediatrician by The American Board
of Pediatrics.

What if I disagree with your diagnosis?
How would you respond?
What is your philosophy about vaccines,
breastfeeding, antibiotics, counseling,
discipline and medications?
What are the practice’s policies towards
vaccination? What is the availability of
Interview Questions
sick visit appointments? How are the
Make sure to interview at least three
after-hours calls handled? Answering
diff erent doctors to get a broad range
service, nurse call line?
of options. While you are there, you
should pay attention to the waiting What are the cancellation and
room, offi ce and patients. Is it clean? no-show policies?
meetings or phone calls with expecting
parents. While these aren’t meant to be
interrogations or medical consultations,
a good doctor will be willing and happy to
answer your questions during this initial
introduction,” notes Doulas of Northern
Virginia’s guide.

Above all, don’t compromise on care,
and remember that you can always
switch providers.

“A good pediatric practice will function as
a medical home, providing care that is com-
prehensive, patient-centered, coordinated,
easy to access and committed to quality and
safety,” says Dr. Keane. 1
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counsel-
ing Psychology degree. She is married and is
the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writ-
ing has been published in The New York Times,
National Geographic, The Washington Post,
Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen
Magazine and many other publications. She is a
Are there a lot of people waiting? Here are “Some pediatricians off er group meet- professional member of ASJA. You can fi nd her
and-greets while others set up individual on Twitter @CherylMaguire05
some questions you could ask:
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