It is nothing but obvious that children, in their growing years, do need proper medical supervision and care. Not that they cannot do without it, but having a paediatrician look over your child is something every parent prefers and desires. Professionals know their job extremely well and do it soundly too. It is nothing but wise to select the best paediatrician at your child’s disposal.
As far as choosing a paediatrician is concerned, plenty of factors that play an important role. You are indirectly choosing person who will be responsible for monitoring your child’s physical conditions and monitoring their growth. They will be responsible for administering the right type of vaccines according to the age of the child, and also prescribe suitable treatments for various illnesses, if need be.
Children cannot speak, so a paediatrician needs to be extra careful with them. Wouldn’t you want the best of the best for your child? Read on to know more about how you can choose the right paediatrician for your child, and not regret it later.
Safety and security:
With the growing reports of sexual abuse and molestation, it is important to bear in mind that some situations will require you to leave your child in the sole company of the doctor. You cannot be taking that risk unless your child’s doctor is a sane person. Go ahead with the paediatrician only if you and your child feel safe and secure in their presence.
Reputation and reviews:
Do not hesitate to enquire about how good the doctor is at their job, or how well their treat their child-patients and their families. Though not quite reliable, a lot can be said about the professionalism of the doctor by the reputation they have established, and you can get a clear picture if you want to go ahead with them or not.
Accessibility and availability:
With infants and toddlers, unpredictability is quite evident. They may fall ill anytime. They can have their physical condition worsening in the dead of the night with parents worrying themselves to death. In such a situation, if your child’s doctor is out of reach, there is nothing you can do to better the condition. Occasional leaves are passable, but consistent irregularity on your paediatrician’s part is something you cannot compromise upon.
Comfort of the child and parents:
It is most important that your kid likes their doctor’s office and staff. Children are tough to please, and hence make sure they do not fret and pull their noses every time they have to pay a visit to the clinic. Also, frequent visits to the clinic will be very convenient if you choose a paediatrician in or around your place of residence. In case you choose a paediatrician further away, be aware of the emergency units and other clinics in your area, in case need be.
Open and friendly:
A lot goes on in the parents’ minds regarding the health and wellbeing of their kid, especially if it is their first. A paediatrician should be able to ease their worries and provide a lending ear to their problems. See if the doctor you choose satisfactorily answers your questions and solves your queries regarding your child’s behaviour. You must feel free to ask them anything and everything on your mind as far the development and growth of your child is concerned. They must be willing to assist you in the journey of taking care of your child, in the most professional and friendly way possible.
What else?
When children reach a certain age, some of them may start feeling a little out of place with a doctor of the opposite sex. They may need to open up with certain personal physical issues which pose a problem if your child is shy or just not willing. If your child shows such signs, you must change his/her paediatrician immediately, since the comfort of children is more important.
Children are not meant to be governed and taken care of by paediatricians all their lives. They will eventually come of age, and will have to move out of the comfort of a paediatrician’s care when they touch their mid or late teens. But, till then, it is the duty of the parents to make sure that the one doctor they are selecting for their child is actually trustworthy and knows how to treat a child.