Choosing a Pediatrician: 5 Things to Consider

Thank you to our partner ima Kids Care for sponsoring this article. 

There are many options for pediatricians in Fargo, so it’s important to find the right fit for you and your family. Choosing a pediatrician can take time and research, but finding the right choice will help put you at ease when the time comes for your child to see the doctor.

Here are some tips to consider when choosing a pediatrician for your family!

Choosing a Pediatrician

Your pediatrician is YOUR choice.

Parents often feel like they need to follow up with the provider they see in the hospital or the provider that they are initially sent to after their child is born. You have a choice for who you would like to see and who you choose to care for your children.

Your pediatrician should make you feel comfortable.

You should feel a connection with your provider, and you should feel comfortable asking them questions. Are they a good listener? Do they explain things in a way that is easy to understand? Your pediatrician should listen to you and work through problems together with your family.

Your pediatrician should make you feel like you and your children matter to them.

Your time is valuable, and you should be able to tell your story and have it be heard. Every family, visit, and situation is unique, and you should be able to talk through each issue with your provider without judgement.

Your pediatrician should answer your questions.

Your provider should not only answer the questions you have, but you should understand the answer. The medical field is full of jargon and terms, and having things explained clearly is important. As you and your provider find a solution, they should also give you knowledge you need to help your child stay well and safe.

Your pediatrician should be receptive to doing things in more than one way, if possible.

Pediatricians are experts in child health, but you are also the expert in your specific child’s personality and needs. Your provider should take the time to listen to your concerns and suggest different ways to deal with your child’s needs, if at all possible.

Other Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician

Every provider and scheduling is different, so it’s important to ask details about when you will be able to see your pediatrician. Important questions include:

  • If my child is sick will I see my own provider or will I have to go to walk in clinic?
  • How do reach my provider when I have questions or concerns? Can I e-mail or call them?
  • How long will the provider continue to see my child?
  • How does the provider decide who to refer to for specialty care, if needed?

Choosing a pediatrician for your family is an important decision, and one that should be made carefully. Take the time to get to know your options, and ask the right questions to determine if the pediatrician is right for you!

ima kids care

ima healthcare
Dr. Jenifer Jones-Dees, MD & Dr. Jessica Kuhn, DNP, CPNP

 

ima healthcare Kids Care’s integrated, whole-person pediatric and adolescent medicine involves everything from wellness visits and immunizations to monitoring their growth and managing any special healthcare needs they may develop along the way to adulthood.

From immunizations and wellness checks to sports physicals, developmental screenings and behavioral medicine, we’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll take our time to learn your child’s whole medical history, including any hereditary conditions your family may have, to give you the best medical care and guidance possible allowing you to make informed decisions about your child’s healthcare.

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We are passionate about the Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo community and the moms who live here, and our goal is to make this community that we all live in feeling connected. By using both our website as well as various social media outlets, we are able to keep you up-to-date on family-friendly activities around town, provide advice on parenting and motherhood, and encourage each of you to get out and explore all that Fargo-Moorhead has to offer!

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