Paediatrician or family physician?
After your baby is born, he will need to see a family physician or paediatrician to ensure that he stays healthy. If health
concerns do arise, these physicians are available to help your baby through his challenges, or they may refer him to more
specialized health care providers.
Family physician
Family physicians provide care for the entire family, and therefore can care for your newborn baby when the time comes. Family
physicians assess newborn babies shortly after birth and provide well-baby checks, physicals, immunizations, diagnosis and
treatment of health concerns, and advice.
Paediatrician
This is a medical doctor who specializes in the health care of children and the management of conditions affecting children.
When your baby is first born, a paediatrician may be asked to assess him to make sure he is in good health. If there is a
problem, the paediatrician will diagnose, treat, and monitor your baby as necessary, or refer him to a neonatologist. When
your baby is discharged from the hospital, it might be possible for you to keep that paediatrician as your baby’s regular
doctor for well-baby visits, physicals, immunizations, and health concerns.
Type of health care practice
Once you have decided whether to choose a paediatrician or family physician for your child, you then need to determine what
is available in your community and what type of practice you might prefer.
Solo practice
Some paediatricians and family physicians have a solo practice, where the baby only sees one doctor. This is a great opportunity
for your baby to develop a close one-on-one relationship with his doctor. However, unlike their predecessors, today’s solo
physicians are not likely to be on call around the clock, and it may be difficult to get an appointment at the exact time
that your baby needs it.
Partnership or group practice
Some physicians work in a partnership or group practice. This is a good set-up if you need flexibility in scheduling appointments,
since if one doctor is not available, another can cover for him. However, if you or your baby develop a preference for one
particular doctor in the group or partnership, you may run into scheduling problems. Your baby may not be able to see his
favourite doctor at the exact time that he needs to. Also, parents can become confused if they hear conflicting opinions from
different doctors within the practice.
Practice with a nurse practitioner
Some physicians work in conjunction with a paediatric nurse practitioner. This is a registered nurse with additional training,
usually at the graduate degree level. She can handle well-baby check-ups and the treatment of minor illnesses. If your baby
has a health problem that is beyond the nurse practitioner’s expertise, she can refer him to one of the doctors in the practice.
Finding a health care provider
There are many sources that you can use to find a health care provider for your newborn baby. Hospitals have paediatricians
on call to care for newborn babies after delivery, so you will no doubt come into contact with one such health care provider
if you deliver at a hospital. Sometimes the paediatrician who looks after your newborn baby in the hospital may be available
to care for him after he leaves the hospital. If you would rather not use the paediatrician who took care of your baby at
the hospital, or that paediatrician is unable to accept new patients, here are a number of other ways in which you can find
a health care provider:
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Your own family physician may be more than happy to care for your baby, if this is the route you wish to take.
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The health care provider who took care of you throughout your pregnancy and childbirth may have some ideas. Often they will
suggest a doctor who has a similar style and approach to health care as themselves.
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Other health care providers that you may know, such as a paediatric nurse, may be able to point you in the right direction.
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Parents are a great resource too. Look for suggestions from friends who are similar to you in your approach to childrearing,
as they are more likely to recommend a practitioner who will suit your style.
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Your local hospital or medical society can give you lists of physicians who are taking new patients. They won’t, however,
be able to make specific recommendations of one physician over another.
Other things to consider when choosing a health care provider
There are many things to consider when choosing a health care provider for your newborn baby. Depending on where you live
and how busy the doctors are in your area, you might not have a great deal of choice in who becomes your newborn baby’s practitioner.
However, if there are a few choices in your area, consider the following when deciding who should become your baby’s doctor.
Style
Do you want a physician who is informal and easy-going, who will accept you as a partner in your baby’s care, and is interested
in your opinions? Or do you prefer a doctor who is formal and businesslike, a father-figure type who has all the answers?
Regardless of which type of practitioner you prefer, try to choose someone who is open to your questions and who loves children.
Philosophy
You probably do not want to argue with your baby’s doctor about issues that you have already made up your mind about. Consider
what the practitioner’s views are on breastfeeding, circumcision, antibiotics, immunizations, and preventive medicine, and
determine whether they match up with your views.
Logistics
Is the doctor’s office nearby? If it is far away, is this practitioner so wonderful that you will not mind the extra travelling
time? Does he have convenient hours, and if not, can you work his hours into your schedule? Does he typically make patients
wait a long time? If so, is he the type of caring and compassionate physician that can make a long waiting time tolerable?
Atmosphere
Is the physician’s office, in particular the receptionist, friendly and receptive to your baby? You want to choose a practitioner
who fosters a cheerful environment and is welcoming to children. If the waiting room contains toys and items to keep children
occupied, they will come in handy if you have to wait to see the doctor.
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