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Selecting the right doctor to care for your newborn is an important decision that you will want to make before you give birth. The pediatrician you choose will come to know your family well, and you need to be comfortable with your choice. Pediatricians in Dallas can be found here – the Best Pediatricians In Dallas
The Best Pediatricians In Dallas
What defines best?
For everyone its slightly different but when it comes to the care of your child you probabl need someone who is close to your home, caring, knowledgeable, in your insurance plan and has great reviews.
You want someone who is incredible at their job and of course someone you can trust with your most precious belonging, your child or children.
Pediatricians have special training in the health and illnesses of children from birth through adolescence and into the young adult years, and most are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after passing a comprehensive examination covering all areas of health related to infants, children, and young adults.
By your child’s middle school years, you have likely already found a pediatrician you are happy with. However, an occasion may arise where you need to find a new doctor—perhaps you have moved to a new city or your pediatrician has retired.
In circumstances like these, try to obtain a referral from your present pediatrician. He or she may know a colleague in the city where you are moving, or one who is taking over the retiree’s practice. Friends and family members might also recommend one or more pediatricians for you to consider.
You can also refer to a few books like these in your search for the best pediatricians in Dallas:
Dr. Laura Nathanson wrote The Portable Pediatrician to help parents find the joy in parenting and gain the confidence to quickly and easily assess their child’s development, medical symptoms, and behavioral problems. Parents can’t always visit their pediatrician every time they have a question, but fortunately with this book they have the next best thing.
As a research neuroscientist, Lise Eliot has made the study of the human brain her life’s work. But it wasn’t until she was pregnant with her first child that she became intrigued with the study of brain development. She wanted to know precisely how the baby’s brain is formed, and when and how each sense, skill, and cognitive ability is developed. And just as important, she was interested in finding out how her role as a nurturer can affect this complex process. How much of her baby’s development is genetically ordained–and how much is determined by environment? Is there anything parents can do to make their babies’ brains work better–to help them become smarter, happier people? Drawing upon the exploding research in this field as well as the stories of real children, What’s Going On in There? is a lively and thought-provoking book that charts the brain’s development from conception through the critical first five years. In examining the many factors that play crucial roles in that process, What’s Going On in There? explores the evolution of the senses, motor skills, social and emotional behaviors, and mental functions such as attention, language, memory, reasoning, and intelligence. This remarkable book also discusses:
How to Find the Names of Qualified Pediatricians in Dallas:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren.org can supply you with names of board-certified pediatricians in your community through thier tool. Just head over to the Healthy Children website.
- Note: Only Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics or “FAAPs” are listed in the Find a Pediatrician tool. Only board-certified pediatricians can add the designation “FAAP” after their names, which means they have reached the highest status of membership in this specific professional organization.
- Since we are in Dallas and close to many major medical centers and community hospitals, you can contact its department of pediatrics for the names of doctors in your area.
Interviewing Pediatricians
With a list of doctors in hand, call the office of each. Explain that you are looking for a pediatrician for your child, and inquire about the doctor’s background and training, as well as general office procedures.
This is one of the biggest steps that gets overlooked. You need to obtain data and hard facts during this process, not go off gut or just one person’s experience. You have to find out which pediatrician will be right for you and your child.
If you are impressed with what you hear, arrange for an interview during which you can meet the doctor and ask some additional questions. They may offer this option via phone instead of in-person.
Here are some key questions to ask and things to consider during this first meet & greet:
- What medical school did the pediatrician attend, and where did he or she undergo postgraduate and residency training?
- What are the doctor’s present hospital appointments?
- If it becomes necessary for your child to be hospitalized, where would he or she be admitted?
- Is the pediatrician’s office conveniently located?
- Is it easily accessible by car or public transportation? (if you need to take DART is this a possibility)
- Are the office hours convenient for your own schedule? If you are a working parent, you may absolutely need evening or weekend hours.
- What is the doctor’s policy on taking and returning phone calls? Is there a nurse in the office who can answer routine questions?
- Is the doctor in a group practice with other physicians? Does another physician cover for the doctor at times? Who handles phone calls when the office is closed or during vacations?
- Do you sense a genuine interest by the doctor in the problems of your child, including particular health disorders he or she may have? What does your gut tell you?
- Does the office staff demonstrate compassion and patience?
- Do you feel like to office is too busy and you are being rushed?
- How are visits for acute illnesses handled? Can you make an appointment on short notice if your child needs to see the pediatrician because of a sore throat, cold, or a potential ear infection, for example?
- In what managed-care programs does the doctor participate? What is the office policy regarding the processing of insurance forms?
- What will be the fees you will be responsible for when seeing the doctor for sick visits, routine examinations, etc.?
- If your child ever develops a complex illness that requires he care of one or more specialists, will your pediatrician coordinate care among all the doctors providing treatment?
And here are a few more questions to consider asking during the Meet & Greet.