Pediatricians come in all shapes and personalities. Which one to choose often comes down to personal preference and comfort.
Old versus Young
The stereotype is that older doctors have more years of valuable experience, and younger doctors are more up-to-date on the latest research and techniques. There’s some truth in this. Whether you end up favoring youth versus experience, you’ll want to work with doctors who keep up on their reading and maintain a healthy curiosity about children’s health. Any doctor, young or old, who feels they already know all they need to know is someone you should avoid. If your gut feeling is that you’d prefer a doctor with some grey hairs, go with that; if you think your children would prefer a younger physician, go that route. Either way can be fine, as long as you are confident and comfortable with your pediatrician’s skills and experience.
The stereotype is that older doctors have more years of valuable experience, and younger doctors are more up-to-date on the latest research and techniques. There’s some truth in this. Whether you end up favoring youth versus experience, you’ll want to work with doctors who keep up on their reading and maintain a healthy curiosity about children’s health. Any doctor, young or old, who feels they already know all they need to know is someone you should avoid. If your gut feeling is that you’d prefer a doctor with some grey hairs, go with that; if you think your children would prefer a younger physician, go that route. Either way can be fine, as long as you are confident and comfortable with your pediatrician’s skills and experience.
I’m sometimes asked if I have children, or if a pediatrician needs to have children to be competent. Although I’ve certainly learned a tremendous amount from my own three kids, I think pediatricians who keep their minds open and really watch children will be able to learn what they need to know, even if they don’t have children of their own.
Man versus Woman
Most general pediatricians coming out of training are now women, so it’s going to get more difficult to find a male pediatrician in the future. If you’ve got your own comfort zone about who seems more competent, go with your gut. Most younger children don’t care whether their doctor is a man or woman, but many teenagers do. Though you may have to change doctors in ten years, don’t get too concerned about matching the genders of your baby and your pediatrician.
Most general pediatricians coming out of training are now women, so it’s going to get more difficult to find a male pediatrician in the future. If you’ve got your own comfort zone about who seems more competent, go with your gut. Most younger children don’t care whether their doctor is a man or woman, but many teenagers do. Though you may have to change doctors in ten years, don’t get too concerned about matching the genders of your baby and your pediatrician.
Personality Types
Some doctors are quiet and thoughtful; some are kind of kooky. Some are quite direct, and don’t beat around the bush; some are much more “gentle” in the way they communicate. Some doctors become more emotionally attached to their families and might act more “friendly”; others prefer to maintain a profession detachment. These and many other aspects of a pediatrician’s personality may fit better or worse with what you’re looking for. Meet a variety of doctors until you find one that “clicks” for you.
Some doctors are quiet and thoughtful; some are kind of kooky. Some are quite direct, and don’t beat around the bush; some are much more “gentle” in the way they communicate. Some doctors become more emotionally attached to their families and might act more “friendly”; others prefer to maintain a profession detachment. These and many other aspects of a pediatrician’s personality may fit better or worse with what you’re looking for. Meet a variety of doctors until you find one that “clicks” for you.
Availability
An otherwise excellent pediatrician with commitments to teaching, research, or other matters may not be regularly available. This may matter more to you if your children are younger or have special health needs that require more frequent visits to a doctor who knows them well.
An otherwise excellent pediatrician with commitments to teaching, research, or other matters may not be regularly available. This may matter more to you if your children are younger or have special health needs that require more frequent visits to a doctor who knows them well.
Super Star versus Others in the Practice
Many practices seem to have one or more “super star” pediatricians. These might be the owners, or might be the senior members, or might be the ones with the most likeable personalities. Though you may have heard how superb that individual doctor is, keep in mind that the practice’s “super star” is probably the busiest doctor in the group. You’ll have extra long waits, and may not be able to get quick appointments easily. One of the lesser known physicians in a group may fit your style just as well, and might work out better in the long run as your main go-to doctor.
Many practices seem to have one or more “super star” pediatricians. These might be the owners, or might be the senior members, or might be the ones with the most likeable personalities. Though you may have heard how superb that individual doctor is, keep in mind that the practice’s “super star” is probably the busiest doctor in the group. You’ll have extra long waits, and may not be able to get quick appointments easily. One of the lesser known physicians in a group may fit your style just as well, and might work out better in the long run as your main go-to doctor.
If your child has special or chronic health problems, you may want to look for a doctor with particular interest or expertise in that area. Local parent support groups can be a good informal resource for these sorts of referrals, as can physical therapists, specialists, or other people who work with kids who have similar problems. Though you might continue to work with a geneticist as a resource for your child with Down Syndrome, for instance, it would be nice to know that your pediatrician is also familiar and comfortable with working with these kids’ special issues.
0 comments:
Post a Comment