How to Switch Pediatricians

Find a different pediatrician when necessary.

Your pediatrician can help you protect and ensure your child's good health, educating you and guiding you through a variety of symptoms and stages of childhood. You may find yourself in a situation where you must switch pediatricians, whether because you move, change insurance carriers or simply because you do not click with your doctor. When this occurs, switch pediatricians by following a standard process.

Instructions

1. Call your current pediatrician and request a copy of your child's medical records to enable you to provide them to a new pediatrician. Offer to pick up the medical records, if necessary, or have the pediatrician's office mail them to you via certified mail.

2. Determine the standards and principles you desire and require in a pediatrician. Make a list so you know exactly the characteristics you desire in a doctor, if necessary. Details such as the gender and age of the pediatrician, the location of the clinic and the hospital the physician works with may be important details. Find a pediatrician that supports or shares your beliefs if your child has special health concerns or you have specific beliefs that require understanding or acceptance on the part of a doctor.

3. Make a list of pediatricians who fit the criteria you desire such as insurance carrier, location and gender.

4. Call pediatricians on the list and inquire about whether specific pediatricians are accepting new patients. Eliminate any pediatricians that are not accepting new patients.

5. Make appointments with new pediatricians to interview them. Ask questions about views and analyze the answers. If you have specific concerns, talk about them. For example, if you choose not to vaccinate your children, ask the doctor if she can support your decision. If your child has a health condition, find out if the doctor has enough experience and knowledge to care for your child. Make sure you feel comfortable with a doctor's views before you choose the doctor.

6. Choose the doctor with whom you feel the most comfortable and who fits your requirements.

7. Provide the new doctor with your child's medical records.

References

• Parenting; Changing Pediatricians or Doctors; Kori Rodley Irons
• Wall Street Journal; Waiting Too Long: Should I Switch Pediatricians?; Ruth Mantell; April 2010