Whether you’re having your first baby, or simply looking for a new provider, choosing a pediatrician for your child can feel a bit like a first date. Will you like them? Will they be a good fit for your family? Not only do you want to know the provider’s background and qualifications, but you want to have trust and confidence in their abilities. How can you find the right fit?

Start Online

First things first — do an online search for providers near you. You may also want to filter by gender and languages spoken. Once you have that narrowed down, you can start evaluating specific doctors.

Most health systems offer a bunch of information about their providers online, from their educational background, certifications and titles to their specialties and clinical interests. Children’s Wisconsin even includes short videos, providers’ awards, research publications and patient reviews.

You should also choose someone who is board-certified, meaning they completed a pediatric residency after medical school and passed a licensing exam specific to pediatricians. If your child needs specialized treatment, you may also want to know if they are board-certified in a pediatric specialty or subspecialty.

Have a Meet and Greet

Many pediatric offices will accommodate a short introductory meeting with a provider to help you evaluate whether they will be a good fit for you and your child. Are you looking for someone serious and reserved or humorous and light-hearted? In addition to communication style, you can also ask the doctor questions, such as:

• What is your approach to partnering with parents?
  
  
• What are your views on topics like mental health and vaccines?
  
  
• What is the best way to communicate questions between appointments?

A Decision-Making Partner

Most parents and providers hope to build a trusted partnership with one another. You don’t need to find a best friend, but you do want to feel comfortable being honest and speaking up when you don’t understand things. While doctors are the experts on medical care, parents are the experts on their kids, and you’ll want to choose someone who will take your views and opinions into account. It doesn’t mean a doctor is always going to do what you want, but as a parent, you should be a partner in the decision-making process. No doctor wants you to leave the office feeling confused, frustrated or planning to ignore their advice.

Pediatricians vs. Family Doctors

You may be considering a family practice doctor for your child instead of a pediatrician —what’s the difference? While family practice doctors see patients from newborns to seniors, pediatricians only treat kids, all day, every day.

Pediatricians complete three years of specialized training after medical school that is focused exclusively on caring for children. Not only are pediatricians experts in whole child development (physical, emotional and behavioral), but they’re able to recognize conditions that present differently in children than adults.

Many families are more at ease with a provider that has a deeper familiarity with childhood illness, growth and milestones and childhood behavior. Most pediatricians will care for patients through age 18 or even into young adulthood.

Like that first date, if you don’t feel a connection with a doctor, please do not hesitate to try a different one. As pediatricians, we only want what’s best for your child and your family — whoever that may be with.