Choosing the right pediatrician is a crucial decision you will make to safeguard your children’s health and ensure that they receive the proper medical care when necessary. It is also a very personal decision that it is advisable to make after due consideration. There are several factors that you might want to take into account before you can find the best pediatrician in Jacksonville FL.

Guide to choosing the right pediatrician

Many people find pediatricians from recommendations from family members, friends, neighbors, or family doctors. They may also look them up online and read multiple patient reviews before selecting a healthcare provider. The following considerations may assist you in finding the best pediatrician in Jacksonville FL:

What medical services does the pediatrician provide?

Pediatricians examine babies, children, and teenagers up to the age of 18 and diagnose and treat injuries, illnesses, diseases, developmental disorders, and behavioral difficulties. Some pediatricians focus on neonatal medicine, cardiology, and other pediatric sub-specialties. Along with essential medical care and prescribing appropriate medications to their patients, pediatricians undertake preventive care by providing regular health checkups. They may also offer advice on following the right diet and exercise, taking common health precautions, and making certain lifestyle changes to restore and maintain health.

To find the best pediatrician in Jacksonville FL, it can help to compile a list of the health services your children require or might require and compare these with the medical services that different pediatricians offer. Visiting the pediatrician’s website can give you a clear idea about their services, hours of operation, and contact details. You can contact them for any specific information you want or arrange for an initial interview visit. It is especially crucial to do this if you have a child with special needs, chronic conditions, or allergies.

What medical training does the pediatrician have?

The pediatrician will provide this information on their website and may have a framed certification in their office. Qualified pediatricians complete their graduation from an accredited medical school and undergo three years of residency training in pediatrics after that. Following their pediatric residency training, they have to pass a certification examination to obtain a certification to practice from the American Board of Pediatrics. Pediatricians must renew their certification after every seven years to remain in practice. You can also check online that the pediatrician has no history of malpractice claims or disciplinary action.

Where is the pediatrician located?

The proximity of the pediatrician’s office to your house is an important consideration. If an emergency arises, you want to be able to take your child to see the doctor as soon as possible. That is why it is advisable to find a pediatrician in your area or a location where you can quickly go by private or public transport.

What are their hours of operation?

It might be a good idea to look for a pediatrician clinic that offers 24/7 medical services. In case your children get hurt while playing or fall sick unexpectedly outside of regular office hours, you want to be able to get treatment for them immediately. Some pediatricians may also offer telehealth or virtual consultation, which can be convenient if your child has a relatively minor health issue or if you are unable to visit the pediatrician’s clinic in person. Instead, you can consult the pediatrician over the phone and via video conferencing.

What is the pediatrician’s communication style?

It will help to visit the pediatrician’s office and get an idea of the office atmosphere, the staff behavior, and the pediatrician’s communication style. Assess if you and your child feel comfortable discussing health issues with the pediatrician and if the pediatrician is open-minded about listening to your concerns and respectful about your treatment preferences. Consider too if you prefer a male or female pediatrician. It could become an issue as your child enters his or her teen years and starts to feel embarrassed about discussing certain health-related things with a doctor of the opposite gender.

Does the pediatrician accept your insurance plan?

Check with your insurance provider and the pediatrician if your current insurance plan will cover your children’s medical treatment. If not, you might need to consider switching to a different insurance scheme.