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By, Dr. Bhumi Upadhyay, Northeast
Pediatrics
Looking for the right doctor for you
may be a large obstacle to conquer. Our choices may be limited by
insurance plans and location. You and your primary physician may
have a very important relationship. Even more importantly, you and
your child’s pediatrician will have a long and lasting
relationship! So how do you choose this one person who will be
making very important decisions with you about your child?
First, you will need to check you r insurance list, unless you are
willing to pay extra. Once you have a list of pediatricians, you
will want to call the office. When calling the office, listen and
observe several things. Do you get a live voice or a recording? If
a person answers the phone, is she/he friendly and polite? Ask if
the office accepts your insurance and if they are accepting new
patients. If so, then continue with your questions or ask to have
a visit with the doctor. Most offices should let you have a free
consultation visit with the doctor before you chose the doctor,
especially if you are pregnant and looking for a pediatrician
prior to delivering.
Once you make the consultation appointment, have a list of
questions ready for the appointment. There are a variety of
questions that you may want to ask, but here are the most common
and relevant questions in pediatrics that most parents want to
know.
1. What are the office hours?
2. What type of after-hour coverage
exists? Is it an answering service with a direct link to the
doctors, to the nurses, or is it to a hospital triage?
3. Who covers after-hours calls? One
doctor, a group of doctors within the same group, or a group of
doctors from different groups?
4. How are weekends handled? Will my
child have to go to the ER for an ear infection on Saturday
morning, or will I be able to see someone?
5. Will I be charged for after-hour
calls?
6. If I call during office hours, will
I receive a call back from the doctor in a prompt fashion,
depending on the severity of my child’s illness?
7. Will I get a same day appointment
for sick visits?
8. How long do I have to wait for a
routine visit from the day I call?
9. How long will I wait to see the
doctor once I check in (includes time in the waiting room and in
the exam room).
10. Does the office give reminders for
appointments?
11. What if I have to cancel an
appointment? Am I still financially responsible for that visit?
12. What hospitals does the doctor
use? This is extremely important for the pregnant mom who is
looking for a pediatrician. If your doctor does not come to the
hospital to see your newborn baby, you will be seen by another
community doctor who may never see you again. A special bond is
built when your own private doctor sees your baby in the hospital.
13. Is the pediatrician board
certified through the American Board of Pediatrics, and how many
years of experience does he/she have? “Board certified” means the
pediatrician has completed three years of training specifically in
the care of children and has passed the written exam, which is
recertified every 7 years. If the office has more than one doctor,
make sure all are board certified.
14. Does the doctor emphasize
prevention? Pediatrics is a lot of counseling and anticipatory
guidance so problems can be avoided.
15. What is the doctor’s opinion about
antibiotics? The answer to that should not be black or white. The
doctor should always explain to you why or why not antibiotics are
being used. You should leave the doctor’s office knowing the exact
treatment plan and why.
16. Are there any other fees aside
from a co-pay or deductible if I have insurance that the office
accepts?
Once you meet with the doctor (either as a consultation or your
first visit), think of the following things. Did the doctor listen
to my questions and concerns? Did the doctor answer my questions
in terms that I understood? Did the doctor encourage me to ask
questions? Did the doctor treat me with respect? Did the doctor
make me feel comfortable? Did the doctor address all of my
concerns? Did the doctor discuss all my treatment options and ask
my preference of treatments? Did the doctor spend enough time with
me? Remember, if this is a group practice, you need to be
comfortable and happy with all the doctors in that group since you
will encounter all of them at some point.
A family’s relationship with their pediatrician can be a lasting
and rewarding one. That is why it is worth taking the extra time
to find Dr. Right for you. Do not wait until your child is sick or
after your baby is born. Find the doctor that will have a lasting
relationship with your whole family.
Dr. Bhumi Upadhyay, a Board Certified Pediatrician and active
member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, graduated from the
University of Miami six year Honors Program in Medicine. She
completed her residency at The Childrens Hospital of Michigan and
has been practicing in the Tampa bay area for five years.
Northeast Pediatrics is a new solo pediatric practice, which
opened on November 1st 2005. Our mission is to provide personal
pediatric care to families of our community. We are accepting new
patients please call to get to know the doctor 526-PEDS.
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