Questions to Ask a Pediatrician at a Meet and Greet
Important questions to ask a pediatrician during a meet and greet to ensure they're the right fit for your child's healthcare needs.
1What's your approach to preventive care and wellness visits?
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What's your approach to preventive care and wellness visits?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their philosophy on keeping children healthy and what to expect during routine visits.
2How do you handle after-hours emergencies and urgent care needs?
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How do you handle after-hours emergencies and urgent care needs?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding how to get help when your child is sick outside of regular office hours.
3What's your philosophy on vaccinations and how do you discuss them with parents?
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What's your philosophy on vaccinations and how do you discuss them with parents?
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Why this works
Important for understanding their approach to immunizations and how they handle discussions about vaccine safety.
4How do you approach working with parents who have different parenting styles?
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How do you approach working with parents who have different parenting styles?
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Why this works
Shows you understand that families have different approaches and helps you assess their flexibility and support.
5What's your experience with children who have special needs or chronic conditions?
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What's your experience with children who have special needs or chronic conditions?
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Why this works
Important if your child has specific health needs or if you want to understand their expertise in specialized care.
6How do you handle situations where parents disagree with your medical recommendations?
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How do you handle situations where parents disagree with your medical recommendations?
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Why this works
Shows you understand that there can be disagreements and helps you assess their communication and conflict resolution skills.
7What's your approach to prescribing medications, especially antibiotics?
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What's your approach to prescribing medications, especially antibiotics?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their philosophy on medication use and whether they're conservative or liberal with prescriptions.
8How do you stay current with the latest pediatric research and recommendations?
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How do you stay current with the latest pediatric research and recommendations?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date with best practices in pediatric care.
9What's your policy on same-day appointments for sick children?
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What's your policy on same-day appointments for sick children?
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Why this works
Important for understanding how quickly you can get care when your child is ill and needs immediate attention.
10How do you approach discussing sensitive topics like mental health or behavioral concerns?
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How do you approach discussing sensitive topics like mental health or behavioral concerns?
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Why this works
Shows you understand that children's health includes mental and emotional well-being and helps you assess their approach to these issues.
11What's your experience with breastfeeding support and lactation issues?
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What's your experience with breastfeeding support and lactation issues?
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Why this works
Important for new parents who want to understand their support for breastfeeding and related challenges.
12How do you handle situations where a child is afraid of medical procedures?
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How do you handle situations where a child is afraid of medical procedures?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of children's fears and helps you assess their approach to making medical visits less stressful.
13What's your approach to working with children of different ages and developmental stages?
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What's your approach to working with children of different ages and developmental stages?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their experience across different age groups and how they adapt their approach accordingly.
14How do you handle situations where parents have concerns about their child's development?
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How do you handle situations where parents have concerns about their child's development?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to developmental assessments and helps you understand how they support parents through concerns.
15What's your policy on providing medical advice over the phone or through patient portals?
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What's your policy on providing medical advice over the phone or through patient portals?
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Why this works
Important for understanding how accessible they are for questions and concerns between visits.
16How do you approach working with families from different cultural backgrounds?
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How do you approach working with families from different cultural backgrounds?
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Why this works
Shows their cultural sensitivity and helps you understand how they adapt their care to different family values and practices.
17What's your experience with alternative or complementary medicine approaches?
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What's your experience with alternative or complementary medicine approaches?
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Why this works
Important if you're interested in integrative approaches or want to understand their openness to different treatment options.
18How do you handle situations where a child needs to see a specialist?
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How do you handle situations where a child needs to see a specialist?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to referrals and helps you understand how they coordinate care with other healthcare providers.
19What's your approach to working with children who have anxiety or fear about medical visits?
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What's your approach to working with children who have anxiety or fear about medical visits?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of children's emotional needs and helps you assess their approach to making visits more comfortable.
20What's the most important thing you want parents to know about working with you?
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What's the most important thing you want parents to know about working with you?
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Why this works
Gives you insight into their priorities and helps you understand what they value most in their relationships with families.
Choosing the Right Pediatrician for Your Child
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Be Honest About Your Concerns
Share any specific concerns or preferences you have about your child's care so the pediatrician can address them directly.
Ask About Their Experience
Inquire about their experience with children similar to yours, including age, health conditions, or special needs.
Observe Their Communication Style
Pay attention to how they communicate with both you and your child to ensure it matches your family's needs.
Question Sequences
The Care Philosophy Sequence
The Communication Style Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Rush the Decision
Take time to meet with multiple pediatricians and ask all your questions before making a decision.
Avoid Ignoring Red Flags
If something doesn't feel right or you don't get satisfactory answers, consider looking elsewhere.
Don't Forget to Ask About Practical Matters
Make sure to ask about office hours, emergency care, and other practical aspects of their practice.