Choosing a pediatrician in Oak Lawn is the most important decision to make when it comes to your child’s well-being. After all, the pediatrician you choose is the one your child will see for several years! To help guide your decision, the Minis Pediatric Walk-In Clinic team has compiled a list of the most important factors to keep in mind.
Start with a Referral from Your Doctor
Whether you are a first-time parent or not, your OB-GYN will almost always refer a pediatrician that they think will best suit you and your little one’s needs. Just like establishing a relationship with your OB-GYN, you can expect the same experience with a pediatrician!
You can also get recommendations from a physician or your family doctor, whoever it is you see regularly.
Credentials and Experience
Experience is often one of the biggest factors when people are looking for a professional, especially in healthcare. Pediatricians who are board certified should show competency in:
- Professionalism
- Communication skills
- Overall medical knowledge
Additionally, an Oak Lawn pediatrician you can trust cares about your child’s health, regularly follows up with you, and keeps track of your child’s medical history.
Availability
Pediatricians—or any other medical doctor, for that matter—are some of the busiest professionals in the healthcare industry. But they should never be too busy to answer your questions and concerns.
If you need an answer right away, you should be able to trust that your pediatrician will respond as soon as possible. Some other important factors to look for in availability include:
- Evening/weekend hours
- Telemedicine or virtual care
- Making appointments on short notice
- Means of communication (email, phone call, patient portal)
Location
Some parents can afford to drive across town to have their child seen by a pediatrician. This may not always be easy for every parent out there. Those who need to keep location and proximity in mind should ultimately choose a pediatrician that is close to home is best.
This is especially helpful when you are coming in to have your child seen in the first couple years of their life, which usually calls for an appointment every 3 months.
How Their Office/Practice Operates
How an Oak Lawn pediatrician and their facility operate also influences your decision regarding who your child will regularly see. It is important to consider their daily operations to ensure it aligns with your needs and expectations.
Some important questions to ask yourself include:
- Can the office squeeze in same-day or last-minute appointments?
- Do the office hours work with mine and my child’s schedule?
- Will my child see different doctors each time if it is a group practice?
Recommendations
You can never go wrong with getting a good word from a trusted friend or family member. If you have any loved ones in the area that take their children to see a pediatrician, it never hurts to ask! Ask as many people as possible that way, you can look at potential pediatricians and narrow down your options as you go.
Our Oak Lawn Pediatricians are Always Here for You & Your Child!
If you live in Oak Lawn, Illinois, you have come to just the right place for you and your child. Our professionals specialize in pediatric care. We are always happy to create new relationships with children to provide the highest level of care. Get in touch by calling (708) 424-0909 today to get started.