20+ Important Questions To Ask When Interviewing a Pediatrician

You’ve been to a million appointments, you’ve decorated the nursery, attending birthing class and have your hospital bag packed. You’re all ready for this baby, right? One more thing, have you chosen a Pediatrician yet? This is a big decision and you want to make sure that you are on the same page with your chosen healthcare provider. You want to trust their advice and guidance. Here are some important questions to ask when interviewing a Pediatrician. 

Remember that you will likely only have about 10-15 minutes to meet with each doctor, so prepare your questions in advance of the meetings.

1. Do you offer an After Hours clinic that is open on the weekends or evenings for minor injuries and acute illnesses? (This can be a great way to avoid emergency room visits.)
2. Is there a phone triage nurse available to ask questions and help with suggested home treatments during office or after hours?
3. How can you contact your provider? Do they communicate through phone calls, emails, electronic charting systems?
4. What is your office policy on walk-in appointments or sick appointment
5. How does your practice handle paperwork such as daycare forms and school physicals?  What is the standard turn around time?
6. Who covers your patients if you are unavailable?
7. If you are interviewing a Pediatrician who is a solo provider, you may want to know how long they have been in practice.
8. Do you have an in clinic Lactation consultant?
9. What are your views on sleep training and what techniques do they recommend?
10. What are your views on co-sleeping?
11. Do you prescribe antibiotics or practice holistic medicine?
12. What are your feelings on breastfeeding, formula feeding, supplementation?
13. Does your practice require patients to vaccinate on a standard schedule or are alternative schedules an option?
14. Do you offer flu vaccines and flu clinics?
15. What are your views on discipline, spanking, time out?

Questions to ask yourself after your meeting with the doctor

1. Did you like the doctor?
2. Was everything clean and kid-friendly?
3. Were members of the staff helpful and friendly?
4. Were you comfortable talking to the doctor?
5. Did the doctor welcome your questions?
6. Do you feel like the doctor will be supportive of your parenting decisions and lifestyle?