Choosing a Pediatrician

What parents should consider when selecting a doctor for their child

Whether you’re a first-time expectant parent or a mother of four who recently moved to a new town, selecting your child’s physician is an important decision. While ultimately a matter of personal choice, there are some general steps that can help guide your search.

First Things First

Contact your insurance provider to find in-network physicians and confirm your coverage. If you’re struggling with health care access, contact the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to see if you and your child qualify for SoonerCare.

Pediatrician or Family Physician?

Pediatricians are trained to care for the general health and wellness of kids from birth to age 18 or 21, depending on the practice. Family medicine doctors are trained to take care of patients of all ages — kids, adolescents and adults alike.

MD (Allopathic) or DO (Osteopathic)?

Physicians can graduate from medical school with either an MD (doctor of medicine) or a DO (doctor of osteopathy) degree. While traditionally there were some differences in the training specifics and general philosophies, those are less pronounced today, and both degrees train doctors to diagnose, treat and prevent disease. All MDs and DOs must complete a residency with supervised, hands-on training before they are licensed to practice medicine. Both are equally qualified.

Board Certification

Every physician must be licensed to practice medicine, but board certification is a voluntary process, an extra step that is specific to specialties and subspecialties. Medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients. It’s not specialty specific. Board certification demonstrates a physician’s expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice.

Where to Start?

The best place to start your search is with referrals from family and friends who have kids. Ask them what their experiences are with their pediatricians and the overall practice, including nurses and office staff.

“I think it’s reasonable to start by asking your friends about who they see,” says Peter Wenger, MD, a recently retired family practice physician. “Ask them about things like access, bedside manner, the physician’s ability to keep a child at ease, and how comfortable they are with their child’s doctor interpersonally.”

Credentials

All physicians practicing in Oklahoma must be licensed either by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision (MDs) or the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners (DOs).

While voluntary, board certification indicates a doctor has met national standards for education, experience and skills in their particular field. Since 2016, Oklahoma no longer requires board certification in order for a physician to obtain a medical license. However, most hospitals still consider it crucial when granting a particular physician medical staff privileges.

Additional Considerations

Office Location

Kids require multiple checkups, particularly during the first year of life, and sick visits happen without notice, so office location is a factor to consider. Choosing a pediatrician whose office is close to your home, work or your child’s day care can save you a lot of time and inconvenience.

Hours of Operation

Ask about regular office hours, how easy it is to schedule same-day appointments, and how the practice handles after-hours inquiries. Does the office provide a nurse advice phone line? Are there weekend or evening hours available for well-child visits? Who will see your child when the office is closed or your physician is unavailable? How does the office handle urgent care issues? Are there both doctors and nurse practitioners in the practice? These are important things to understand in advance.

Hospitalization

While you may never need to hospitalize your child, it’s good to know where your child will go if he or she needs to be admitted for care. When considering a particular physician or practice, ask with which hospital they are affiliated.

You and your child’s relationship with your pediatrician or family practice doctor is an important one. While there are many objective things to look for and consider, it’s also critical to listen to your instincts. In the end, no one knows what is best for your family better than you do.

Do You Need to “Interview” a Pediatrician?

Parents are often advised to “interview” prospective physicians—but in reality, that can be difficult to arrange. Most physicians, particularly those who are well established, have full practices, leaving them little time to schedule a meet-and-greet with potential patients.

Instead, consider starting with a first visit.

“If they are admitting new patients to their practice, they would be glad to see you for a first visit,” Wenger says. “Then you have an opportunity to assess the doctor firsthand. If you don’t like the way things were handled, consider that your interview and use that opportunity to look for a different practice.”

Use that first appointment to observe:

• How the physician interacts with your child
• Whether your questions are welcomed and clearly answered
• How the office staff communicates and supports families

Tips for a Positive Parent-Physician Relationship

A strong partnership with your child’s doctor starts with preparation and communication. These small steps can make a big difference:

• Prepare ahead of time. Before appointments, jot down any concerns, including when symptoms began, what you’ve noticed and possible exposures to illness.
• Limit distractions when possible. If you can, arrange care for siblings so you can focus fully on the appointment. “If you’re trying to treat a younger sick child, the fewer distractions, the better,” says Wenger.
• Know when it’s time to transition. While many pediatric practices will continue care through college, Wenger notes that high school graduation is often a natural time to move to an internist or family practice physician.