Good Pediatricians New Albany IN Can Be Found

By April Briggs


Your child's health is important. Pediatricians New Albany IN are a key part in making sure your children stay healthy and are taken care of when they get sick. Finding a good pediatrician is vital, and not a choice that should be made lightly.

When looking at potential doctors for your children, you'll first want to check their qualifications. Make sure they are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (AAP), meaning they have passed a specialized exam in pediatrics. You'll also want them to be a member of the AAP -- if they are, they'll have FAAP after their names. If your child has special needs, you'll also want to check and see if the doctor you're looking at has specialized training.

It pays to interview prospective doctors to find out more about their background and experience. This information can be obtained online at special websites or directly from the medical office. You can ask about their personal philosophy and attitudes toward issues of vital importance such as circumcision, alternative medicine, breastfeeding, vaccinations, discipline methodology, and more. You will stay longer with a doctor if you have a meeting of the mind.

Find out if they're part of a group practice -- if not, you'll want to ask who covers for the doctor when he or she is away. If the doctor is part of group, find out the backgrounds of the other doctors in the practice. Ask how long appointments usually last (the average is twenty minutes), and what the office hours are.

Also ask about how emergencies are handled. Ask if they accept walk ins and how after-hours emergencies are handled. Find out if the doctor has a specific call-in period for each day. Some practices have nurses who handle calls. Ask how they are handled and if you will be charged for them.

When choosing a doctor, you will also want to evaluate the office. First consider the location -- when your child is sick, you don't want to have to drive a long distance, so it is good to find on in your area. Make sure the waiting room is clean and has clean toys and books, and that there is a separate room for sick children. Check how long other patients are waiting to be seen, and if the staff is kind and friendly.

Finally, you'll want to ask about insurance. Make sure the practice accepts your insurance, and find out what else it accepts, in case your end up changing insurance companies. If you are not covered, ask if payment plans are possible so you do not have to pay the entire bill at once.

One should also ask about hospital affiliations -- find out if the doctor is affiliated with a hospital in the area, and if your insurance will cover the costs there. Ask about specialists on the hospital staff, if there is 24-hour visiting for patients, and if you can stay overnight with your child if he or she is admitted.

A successful outcome from your search will result from adhering to these principles. They are all vital. You will make the optimal choice for your child and have the peace of mind knowing you have arrived at the best conclusion. Hopefully, it will be a long-term relationship.




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