If you're a parent with access to social media, then chances are you're familiar with the world of bulletin boards (okay, forever ago we called them that), group messages, pages, forums, et al. It's likely you've even spent time on one of your local "Mom Swap" type pages. If you have, what would you say is the number one question asked?
I'd say it's "Will you recommend your pediatrician?". Which is a very important question, and one we've all likely asked someone at some point or another.
But here's why I stopped recommending mine.
Because mine works for me. But it doesn't mean he'll work for you.
Eight years ago, when I was about to be a first time Mom, I remember sending my very own "ISO a pediatrician" to a few friends. I gathered the recommendations from my OB as well, and then I picked a practice. I ended up picking the same one I was seen at as a kid. It's a big practice, with a lot of doctors, and I chose the doctor for us based on a friend's raving review.
Let me tell you, I hit the jackpot my first time out. He is an amazing doctor. He's kind, patient, knowledgeable, and readily available to talk through scary situations like your first ER visit or in-patient stay. My daughter loved him, my husband and I thought he was great, and all was good for nearly six years.
And then came Brooks.
Like so many other things, what worked for us with our daughter would not work for us with our son. What I came to love about the practice earlier turned into one of my biggest problems. It was just too big for us. I'd have to re-explain Brooks's rare disease to every tech, nurse, and doctor over the next... how long?
And then, when Brooks had his first allergic reaction, I had to wait on hold for over seven minutes to find out the correct Benedryl dosage. Sure, I could have googled that info in about 30 seconds, but I didn't want to risk it. First time and all, you know? Either way, seven minutes is too long in that scenario. Way, way, way too long.
After that, it just began to feel like things were starting to get missed with Brooks, and I was getting frustrated. It was time to make a change.
Our new practice has a phenomenal staff, and another kind, knowledgeable, and patient doctor at the helm. The new practice offers things the first couldn't, just due to the nature of their structure. For instance, I have the cell phone numbers of key players in Brooks's care. I can text questions about safe foods, I can pop in for weight checks, and I have one (albeit smaller) team who remembers everything there is to know about the rare disease we call ours.
But... the new office doesn't have Saturday hours. The old one did.
The old office had more than one location, which can be convenient to a lot of people. The new office has just one location.
The old office had a variety of doctors, so there is absolutely sure to be one that every family loves.
The fact is, there are so many great, kind, caring doctors out there that offer a lot of different perks.
So now, instead of answering the most-asked question with "my doctor IS THE BEST!!!" (which clearly, we sure think he is)... I try to ask: what is it that you're looking for?
What's most important? Late office hours? Saturday appointments? A small office? Personal attention? A more anonymous environment? A doctor versed in a certain disorder or condition? A practice with lots of Doctors to choose from?
All of these things are important, and individually, some may be more important to us at different points in our life. Changing practices doesn't necessarily reflect on the care given, or on the staff.. sometimes it just boils down to who can best give us what we need at that moment.
But of course, referrals and personal experience is still important. I'll still answer your question, just differently than I may have in the past.
