Pediatrician Question:

☛ Tell me about your background: How long have you been a doctor, and how long have you been in this practice?
☛ Are you board certified?
☛ Are you a pediatric generalist, or do you have a subspecialty?
☛ What is your philosophy on such child health issues as breastfeeding, immunization, co-sleeping, toilet learning, etc.?
☛ What is your policy on the use of antibiotics?
☛ Do you offer early, late, and weekend appointments?
☛ Do you offer call-in hours, or does your office field calls at any time? If I leave a message, how long does it typically take to get a return call? Will you answer questions by e-mail?
☛ How are emergency calls handled by your office?
☛ Which tests are handled here (throat cultures, blood tests)? Which have to be done somewhere else (X-rays)? Where?
☛ Will you be the one who handles my well-baby visits, or will another doctor in the group or a nurse practitioner do so?
☛ Will I be able to get a same-day appointment if my child is sick? Will you be the one who handles sick-baby visits, or will another doctor in the group or a nurse practitioner do so?