Okay, here's the deal. I have set up a pediatrician consultation for next Friday with a recommended doc but I'm a little bit nervous about it. I plan on going in with a pad of paper with ready to ask questions but I don't want to seem like I'm drilling her or for it to be awkward. Has anyone else handled their consultation in this way? Any advice? Thanks guys :o

Here is a link I have in a fav's folder for childcare

Questions To Ask A Pediatrician

My personal experience is I've fired good doctors with bad front offices... and sometimes you don't know how it is until you are a few years in. if the office doesn't get back to you or return calls it makes no difference if the doctor is good.

Biggest points for me for children practices are:

How long in practice.. if a long time is any retirement anticipated?

Are there other pediatricians in the practice available to cover?

Are there days of the week they aren't open? Are the hours and location convenient?

Are there other clinics that are a part of the practice and does the pediatrician "roam" to different sites on diff days?

Do they have walk in hours (love these... when you get woken up at 12am with a vomiting kid you will be grateful for open walk in hours, even if you don't get your pediatrician)

How are after hour calls handled?

Are they affiliated with any hospitals?


As mentioned before I've fired a good doctor for a bad front office... but its sometimes hard to anticipate this. If the office doesn't return calls, doesn't send out test results promptly, etc... it'll drive you mad. We left a long time practice because it had probably gotten too big and the desk help was kind, but sloppy... as in no followups when promised, etc.

Forgot to mention lab tests done on site or other testing available... though many now courier tests to local clinics, or even out of state depending on the testing.

Honestly... I liked our pediatrician from the go. Liked her nature and how just she carried herself.

Thanks so much kp!! Gave me a lot to mull over :) I never thought of asking about walk-in hours... great idea! The phone conversation I had with the lady at the front desk made me very optimistic so hopefully that impression will last. Thanks again!

Concerning the lab tests, I didn't mean to make it sound like a deal breaker if they farm the testing out... many do for cost... you just then know sometimes it'll take a bit longer to get a result back maybe.

Glad the link might have helped.

I'd be worried if a doctor was "put off" by me taking in notes and asking questions-I'd be really worried.

If the doctor is put off by you taking notes then he/she is not the one for you.

Also find out if you walk in , is there an extra charge.
I also check out the doctor on the court website in my area for medical malpractice suits.