Especially if it’s your first child, the feeling of finally being blessed with a new bundle of joy can at times be overwhelming. You want him or her safe and healthy at all times until they’re old enough to take care of themselves.
And because young children are often more prone to a range of illnesses and health issues, a big part of seeing this through will prompt working closely with a reliable pediatrician.
But in a city like New York, not all doctors are the same in terms of the level of experience and quality of care they can afford for your kid. This is why it’s important to choose your child’s doctor very carefully, preferably about 3 months before giving birth.
If you live in NYC, below are 5 things to look for when choosing a primary care pediatric doctor.
1. Pediatric Specialization
A primary care doctor for young children could be one of two things. They could be a pediatrician, who specializes in providing medical care for children from birth to adulthood; or they could be a family doctor, who also provides care for seniors in addition to children. While there’s nothing wrong with receiving care from a family doctor, it’s best to choose a primary care doctor who is a specialized pediatrician.
Also, there are many different types of pediatric specializations, including pediatric cardiology, toxicology, critical care medicine, emergency medicine, adolescent medicine, and so forth. This is worth considering in case your child needs specialized pediatric care.
2. Choose a Local Doctor (e.g. Harlem) Who You Can Easily Contact Online
A primary care provider’s location of practice is also key when choosing one for your kid. Especially for newborns and toddlers, kids usually need frequent medical attention more than adults. They fall sick unexpectedly and often get into accidents, some of which may necessitate emergency care if not potentially life-threatening.
This is why it’s important to pick a PCP in your local area, perhaps closest to your home, workplace, or your kid’s school. If you live in upper Manhattan, for instance, a primary care doctor in Harlem can be a great pick. Such a doctor will be more easily accessible when your kid needs medical care the most. Also, make sure they are easy to contact through the phone, online, or via text message.
3. Board Certification and Experience
After graduating from medical school with an MD and completing their residency training, pediatricians usually have to take and pass exams to become board certified in pediatrics.
You can always confirm a doctor’s certification status by contacting a regulatory authority such as the American Board of Pediatrics. On top of this, a doctor with many years of experience is more likely to provide your child with the level of care they deserve.
4. Doctor Reputation
Is the pediatrician known to provide stellar services? How are they in terms of providing information to parents about caring for their children? Do they love kids in the first place? What are other patients saying about the doctor’s services, personality, and style of practice?
With these questions in mind, there are a few ways to determine a pediatrician's reputation. You can ask around - friends, family, and other parents to see if they have any recommendations.
You can also look online for reviews and ratings. Finally, you can contact your local medical board to see if there have been any complaints filed against the pediatrician.
5. Personality and Style
A PCP pediatrician is someone you’ll probably need to maintain a relationship with for many years. In addition to providing care to your child/ren when ill, they’ll also help you understand your child’s development, growth, medical needs, and overall health. These relationships need some chemistry, so it’s therefore critical to choose someone you can trust and are comfortable caring for your child.
Some pediatricians come out as authoritative, whereas others like to use a laid-down, collaborative approach. It’s easy to get the best care for your kids from a doctor whose personality and approach you’re most comfortable with. Someone you can have honest and transparent conversations with.
With the few tips above, picking the right primary care doctor for your child can be less overwhelming.
