switching pediatricians...advice?

[krismom]

I have decided that after 8 years with the same practice- that I want to change doctors. Basically... the practice has gotten too large and it is very difficult to see a specific doctor, we haven't had very good experiences with getting same day appointments,it's 30 minutes away, and there have been issues with billing / insurance, etc. My question is- I think I have a good local pediatrician that I want to "check out". Before I transfer all of my kids files (which will take a small moving van!) should I make an "interview" appointment? What should I ask? When and if I do decide to switch- will my current doctor give me the files or do they have to be sent? I know I have to fill out some forms and stuff.
thanks for any advice and experience....

 

[Wendybird55]

Definately make an appointment for an interview.
Most peditiricans are used to this as many parents interview pediatricians - epsecially when pregnant with 1st child (a I did). For the most part the Dr. will probably begin things with telling you his/her basic philosophy and practices and such.

As far as questions -
I would bring up the concerns you have with your current peditrician re size of practice - indidivual attendtion and ability to make appointments.
If there is more than 1 Dr. in the practice ask if you can make appointments with specific Dr. or if you get whose available.
Ask about emergency calls - is there always someone on duty. If there's a problem in the middle of th night can you call the sevice and get a prompt response.
If you have any particular preferences in your child's health care discuss that.
Most likely you will have to ask the recptionist or one of the nurse re insurance and how it is handled
If your children have any medical conditions or occuring problems mention those.

Many times the converstaion tends to move on it's own, but you should come with a list of questions so you don't forget anything.

Also ask if you chose to go to this Dr. how is the transfer of records taken care of . From my experiences usually the office of the new Dr. will handle the transfer of information. They will let you know what needs to be done.

And if after the interview you realize you forgot to ask something - just call the office and ask it.

Also it's good to meet with any potential new Dr. - you can get a feeling if you like this person or not.

Good Luck

 

[bzzymom]

I agree with what Wendy said. I am a nurse and I interviewed the pediatrician I liked before my first child was born. He died suddenly 2 years ago and it was heartbreaking because there is no other pediatrician in town that I like. So, since I go to a GP doc, I switched my kids there.

 

[rt2dz]

OK, I could have written your post. I have totally decided to switch Pediatricians. The practice has gotten too large, it’s next to impossible to get an appointment, nurses don’t return phone calls in a timely manner, etc., etc. Making an interview appointment is a good step two. I’ve learned it doesn’t mean you’ll like the Pedi, but it does help you weed out the ones you KNOW you won’t like.

Ah, what is step one you ask? Ask around. Talk to your kids’ friends’ parents, your friends, the person in line at the grocery store (seriously), etc. Ask who their Pedi is. Ask if they like him/her. Ask what they dislike about the practice. Ask if they’ve considered changing ever and why. That will let you know WHO you want to interview.

Once you make the first appointment, don’t hand over the transfer of records form right away. Tell the nurse/front office that you’d like to see what your kids think first and you’ll give them the transfer file at the second appointment. They might look at you weird, the might not, but either way, they won’t say no. Usually, they don’t give you the files, at least not without a fee, but send them on to the new Dr.

Wendybird55 has some great tips on what to ask during the interview, but don’t forget to ask about any fees associated. Our Pedi’s practice charges $20 (new since we started there) for any after hours call they decide could have waited to the next business day. Basically, if the nurse who calls you back thinks you need to talk to a Dr or go to an emergency room, no fee. But if the nurse can answer your call, you’re billed. Our office also has a no-show fee for appointments (which I get).

 

[fireworks fan]

I switched my peds last year, and I would definitely recommend an interview prior to changing. I asked around for recommendations first, and then ended up only interviewing one practice, because I liked that one right away. The new practice gave me a release of info form for the old practice, and there were no charges or difficulty in transferring the records. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Dr. J.]

If you have had a long relationship with your doc, it might be worth a note outlining why you have chosen to leave. It doesn't sound like the quality of care was missing. Your physician may not be aware and these issues and may appreciate the input. Unfortunately, physicians that are liked and respected in their community do get busier. JMHO.

 

[Kimmumum]

I agree with everyone else's comments. There was something still missing (or that I missed).

You said your kids have big files. If there is something "wrong" with them ask them if they believe in that "disease". I know it sounds dumb but my Pediatrician retired and needed to find a new doctor. My son is very ADHD. When I was interviewing doctors I asked them if they believed in ADHD. Some did some didn't. Obviously this was a big help in eliminating doctors even if I really liked them. Another question to ask is how they feel about antibiotics. Some prescribe them for everything and some never (you know what I mean) prescribe them. Make sure the doctor is on the same page as family.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Just a heads up (I've switched peds TWICE in seven years... so we are on practice #3!)...some practices do NOT allow a "free" interview unless you are pregnant!

When we switched from #1 to #2 the ped gave us a free interview (not pregnant) but when I went from #2 to #3 they would have charged me if I hadn't been pregnant w/ ds.

Be aware that some practices come across as perfect and then are your worst nightmare (our first ped) and others are just as they seem!

 

[wilderness01]

OK, I could have written your post. I have totally decided to switch Pediatricians. The practice has gotten too large, it’s next to impossible to get an appointment, nurses don’t return phone calls in a timely manner, etc., etc. Making an interview appointment is a good step two. I’ve learned it doesn’t mean you’ll like the Pedi, but it does help you weed out the ones you KNOW you won’t like.

Ah, what is step one you ask? Ask around. Talk to your kids’ friends’ parents, your friends, the person in line at the grocery store (seriously), etc. Ask who their Pedi is. Ask if they like him/her. Ask what they dislike about the practice. Ask if they’ve considered changing ever and why. That will let you know WHO you want to interview.

Once you make the first appointment, don’t hand over the transfer of records form right away. Tell the nurse/front office that you’d like to see what your kids think first and you’ll give them the transfer file at the second appointment. They might look at you weird, the might not, but either way, they won’t say no. Usually, they don’t give you the files, at least not without a fee, but send them on to the new Dr.

Wendybird55 has some great tips on what to ask during the interview, but don’t forget to ask about any fees associated. Our Pedi’s practice charges $20 (new since we started there) for any after hours call they decide could have waited to the next business day. Basically, if the nurse who calls you back thinks you need to talk to a Dr or go to an emergency room, no fee. But if the nurse can answer your call, you’re billed. Our office also has a no-show fee for appointments (which I get).

I think that is a terrible practice. We get all kinds of calls at the hospital for advice. We are there and we answer the telephone. The person is on call for a reason. Sometimes parents need to be reassured and there shouldn't be a pricetag on that. Shame on that practice for making a buck where ever they can, that is disgraceful.

Sometimes I do hear the pediatrician's "complain" about Mrs. Smith calling them at 4 am to ask them blah, blah, blah. Well then you shouldn't have gone into pediatrics and gone into something else. You KNEW this going into medicine. I knew going into the medical field that I wasn't going to have a 9 to 5 job with weekends/holidays off. It is something that I have accepted.

Again, sometimes the parent needs a little reassurance because they are worried sick about their kid. I was never one to call without a reason, but I am medically trained. Not everyone is. Some of the "dumbest" questions have come from MD's having their first babies. Everyone at one time in their life has a "dumb" question or two. I say "dumb" not really meaning it, but illustrating that not everyone has the perfect knowledge and you shouldn't be penalized just because you need some advice.

If it were me, I would switch out of that practice asap. What are they going to charge for next?

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I haven't read all the posts, but just beware - my neighbor was thinking of changing OBGY/N's and made an interview appointment. They tried to charge her insurance for it - which is totally illegal!!! If the Dr is not giving any services, i.e. not checking out any of the kids, just talking to you/them, then they are not allowed to charge your insurance. You will be held accountable for insurance fraud. Just call you insurance company and double check this info, I'm sure my neighbor is right, especially since she asked a lawyer friend about it, but just double check.

 

[Dr. J.]

Meet and Greets with the physician should be free, but they take time, so some physicians may not do them. Word of mouth from friends is probably most helpul.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We are switching Pediatricians and have an interview with a new one on Friday. DS1 actually has an appointment tomorrow with our soon to be former Ped as a follow-up for his ear infection that I forgot to cancel so we will be going to make sure that ear has finally cleared up.

We are switching for several reasons - we have had insurance/billing issues, had trouble getting call backs during office hours and have been criticized quite sarcastically by the Ped for requesting that DS's vaccinations be spaced out more than the "recommended" schedule.

 

[foltzy]

When the doctor my kids went to decided to change practices (She worked for someone she didn't like) she recommended me to her peditrican and even though she came recommended by a doctor I still scheduled an interview. She's fantastic and my husband and I love her. She does a good job with both my children. We called a few weeks back about my daughter having an odd rash (daughter is 3) and she called us back right away told us what to try and if that didn't work we were to bring her in. We've called when my daughter ended up having a tick (We had taken her to the hospital the night before but they told us to see the peditrician too) and she got her in right away and calmed my fears about it all.

 

[dis-happy]

I LOVE my pediatrician. One thing I did when going to check out a new office (we had just moved and knew nothing): I made a visit just to hang out in the waiting room a bit. I asked a couple of people if they liked the practice and if they had to wait very long before being seen. The answer to this question spoke VOLUMES about the practice. I also went up to the front desk and talked to them; told them we were new and were interested in coming there. Once again, the response I got spoke VOLUMES: the good places were friendly and welcoming at the front desk, asked if I had any questions, offered to give me tour. So even without seeing the doctor in person, check out the office atmosphere too and consider what it will be like for you there.