Preparations for your newborn begin the moment you notice the stick turned pink until you are in the hospital delivery room. One of the most important tasks is to select a pediatrician for your child. Great choices and options can lead to a challenging decision-making process. Following are tips for finding the right pediatrician for your child:
Options. There is much more involved in selecting a pediatrician than calling the first one listed in your insurance directory. The first step is to determine if a pediatrician is the right type of doctor for you, or if you would prefer a family doctor or even a nurse practitioner. Each selection carries pros and cons. The best way to make the right choice for you is to learn what each type of medical profession will best meet the needs of your family.
Pediatricians. A pediatrician is a doctor that specializes in caring for children from birth through adolescent years. A pediatrician must go through four years of medical school, three years of pediatric residency and pass a written examination given by the American Board of Pediatrics. The test must be repeated every seven years for a doctor to remain board certified. Pediatricians are required to take courses every year in the field of medical education to keep their license current. This ensures the doctor remains up to date on the latest medical advances in the area of pediatric medicine.
Family doctors. Family doctors complete at least three years of residency after medical school including time spent in a number of specialties including pediatrics. These doctors are well-versed in internal medicine, gynecology and orthopedics. Family doctors are required to take an exam after residency to become board certified. Like pediatricians, they must take continuing education courses every year. These doctors are qualified to treat patients of any age. An advantage to selecting a family doctor is that everyone in your family can receive care from the same person.
Nurse practitioners. Another possibility to consider for your child's medical care is a pediatric nurse practitioner. Pediatric nurse practitioners have a master's degree in nursing and training in a variety of skills that allow them to diagnose and treat illnesses. Most nurse practitioners work closely with doctors in a clinic or hospital setting. An advantage to working with a nurse practitioner is that these professionals will often spend more time with patients than a doctor can.
Once you choose the type of doctor you would like to see, you can begin collecting names. Ask friends, family and neighbors for names and recommendations of doctors they have been satisfied with. Or, choose a doctor from the list of providers your insurance company offers. This will ensure the doctor you select accepts your insurance plan. Also, consider utilizing a referral service available through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at www.aap.org/referral. The AAP provides quick access to information about pediatricians including when they graduated from medical school.
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com at http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.
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