EEH: 5 tips to choose the right doctor for your baby

Choosing a doctor for a baby is an important decision. Since he or she will be a key partner in the child’s health for years to come, it’s important to pick a doctor that’s a good fit for the child and the family.

There are two main types of primary care doctors for children:

• A family medicine physician provides healthcare to patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. This means a child will see the same doctor from birth through adulthood and beyond. It also means that an entire family can be under the care of the same physician, which offers a level of convenience that may be important to a busy family. Family medicine physicians are board certified and part of their residency focuses on pediatrics.
• A pediatrician is a physician who specializes in the care of newborns, young children, adolescents and young adults. They are board certified and must complete a three-year residency in pediatrics. A pediatrician will follow a child’s health until age 21, depending on when a child is comfortable switching to either a family or internal medicine physician.

To give a newborn the healthiest possible start with the right doctor, here are five tips to consider:

1. Ideally, try to start looking for a doctor for a baby about three months before the baby is due.
2. Collect a few names of recommended doctors (ask an OB-GYN, family, friends, co-workers, etc.). Parents can also use the Edward-Elmhurst Health Find-a-Doctor tool, which includes hundreds of Edward-Elmhurst Health physicians, and customize the search by specialty, location, gender and more. Many of the doctor profiles include patient ratings and reviews and online scheduling options.
3. Call the insurance company to make sure preferred doctors are covered by the insurance plan. Find out what the co-pays would be. Edward-Elmhurst Health offers a cost estimator tool that can help estimate out-of-pocket costs.
4. Have a meet-and-greet. With a list of a few doctors in hand, call the offices of each. Arrange for an in-person meeting (some offices offer tours for expectant families) or by phone to talk with the doctor and ask questions, such as the following:
   • What is the doctor’s philosophy of care regarding immunizations, antibiotics, breastfeeding, circumcision, etc.?
   • If it’s a group practice, will the baby see different doctors at times? If it’s a solo practice, who will care for the child when the doctor isn’t available?
   • Will the doctor conduct the baby’s first checkup at the hospital after delivery?
   • What are the office hours? Are there evening or weekend hours?
   • How are sick visits handled? Does the office allow same-day appointments?
   • What is the doctor's policy on taking and returning phone calls? Who handles phone calls off-hours?
   • Does the office offer video visits?
   • What type of online tools are available? Can parents schedule appointments online? Can they email the doctor? Can they view their child’s health record online?

For more information about children’s services at Edward-Elmhurst Health check www.eehealth.org/services/children.