One of the most important decisions parents can make is choosing the pediatrician for their child. However, picking the best pediatrician for your family isn’t always easy, and knowing where to begin can be difficult. The following provides some tips for how to find a pediatrician in New York.
Ask Your Friends and Family
If you’re searching for a pediatrician, your best bet may be to get a recommendation from a trusted friend or family member. If there’s a pediatrician who a loved one of yours thinks is great, then consider that doctor, but continue to do your research. Friends and family can also provide insight on whom to avoid as well as whom to choose.
Search for Rankings and Recommendations Online
If you can’t find a pediatrician you like through the recommendation of a friend or family member, the next step is to search for rankings and recommendations online. U.S. News – Health provides insight into some of the best children’s hospitals in New York (including New York Presbyterian and Mount Sinai), some of which have pediatricians on hand who can handle daily complications, check-ups, and illnesses.
In addition to a great and highly ranked hospital or care center, looking up a particular pediatrician’s rankings is also advised. HealthyChildren.org, a service of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides parents with the names of board-certified pediatricians in the New York area.
The website recommends choosing a pediatrician with the letters FAAP under his/her name. The initials stand for “Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics” and mean that the pediatrician has the following qualifications.
- Is board-certified in pediatrics
- Has made a commitment to lifelong learning
- Is an advocate for children and families
- Keeps current on the latest in child health practices
Meet the Pediatrician for an Interview
Finally, if you’ve narrowed down a couple of pediatricians in your area, you should make an appointment with your number one choice. The above tips can help you find a pediatrician, meeting her can help you choose a pediatrician who’s right for you.
Before the appointment, call the office and ask questions about the doctor’s policies like appointment scheduling, cancellations, etc. Doing so can help you to narrow down your options.
During the office visit, pay attention to how clearly the doctor explains any complications/illnesses, whether or not the doctor seems genuinely interested, how long you have to wait in the waiting room, how your child responds to the doctor, and anything else that is important to you.
Finding a doctor with whom you and your child has a good rapport can be helpful through the years. If you simply do not communicate well with him or her or do not feel like he or she is answering your questions or interested in your concerns, it might be best to look elsewhere.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in New York if Your Child is Harmed
If your child is the victim of medical malpractice by a New York pediatrician, find an attorney who will advocate for your rights. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., nothing is more important to us than helping injured individuals – like patients – exercise their rights and recover damages they’ve suffered because of another’s negligence. If you need legal help, call us today at 800-550-0000.
