When looking for a new pediatrician: do u pick a group with a few or a lot of Drs?

Alyssa - posted on 09/03/2010

My son sees mine and my husband's doctor. He runs a private family practice. When I was young both my sister and I had really bad experiences with the most well known office in our city. I feel it easier that my son sees our doctor simply because of my medical history. He knows all of our backgrounds and is easier to make a diagnosis if needed. After the mishap (and I say that nicely) when I was young, my mom started taking us to the doctor she saw (another family practice). Both my parents were there, both sets of my grandparents and later my sister and I. We had our entire family in one practice seeing the same doctor and she knew all of our funny medical histories. Too bad I couldn't bring her with me when I moved!

Simply because of my experience with the medical world as a whole and the problems I have, its easier for me to take my family to a family practice. The only problem I run into with this is his office isn't open on the weekends and has fairly limited hours throughout the day. But with that I'm starting to learn what is and isn't an emergency and if something does happen after hours our health insurance offers a nurse line we can call and determine if an ER visit is necessary (if we go to the ER and it turns out to be something that could have waited, we have to pay everything, insurance won't cover it).Its what works for us.

If you really don't have a use for a family practice, I would go with Rebekah's advice. Especially if this is your first, you may want to be able to get in contact with a doctor if you're just not sure. But one other thing to check on is whether or not the doctor will bill you for an email consultation. If that's the case you'd have to go further and talk to your insurance company about whether or not they'll cover that. You don't want a sudden unexpected bill showing up!!

Rebekah - posted on 08/25/2010

Do the groups have any other features to compare? Can you make appointments on the internet? E-mail the doctor/nurses for advice? Do they have after-hour care? Weekend care? Privileges at the hospital of your choice?

My kids go to a large group (10-15 doctors) and I love it... But, I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the amount of doctors available. I like the fact that I can make appointments online, send an e-mail for advice when its not an emergency, and take them in on the weekend. I chose the group they are in b/c of all the other conveniences, but I haven't ever felt like being in an office with lots of other doctors was any disadvantage... if that helps at all.

Deidra - posted on 08/25/2010

i think its preference on your part. i like the small offices, i feel they are more attentative. but with a bigger office they will be able to see your child sooner..