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Choosing a doctor for your child
The following are some questions that may be useful in interviewing a prospective pediatrician for your child: * What are your clinic/office hours? * Is it the policy to have certain "telephone hours" or can you call with non-emergency questions any time? * How are after-hours problems handled? * Who covers for the physician when he or she is not available? * Where was the physician trained and is he or she board certified in pediatrics? * What hospital(s) is he or she affiliated with? * When is my first office visit with my new baby? * How do you feel about breastfeeding? Circumcision? Use of antibiotics? Immunizations? |
>>USF Pediatrics offers free prenatal visits to prospective parents
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Download Release | Listen to Radio Clip Tampa, FL (Oct. 25, 2005) -- Choosing a physician to care for your baby is one of the most important decisions prospective parents can make. "In a sense, it's like a marriage – you're building a long-term relationship that will, in many cases, last for the next 18 years of the child's life," said Lori Bowers, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at USF Health. "The first step is to establish a foundation of trust between pediatrician and parent even before the birth of the child." To help expectant parents looking for a doctor for their babies, the USF Department of General Pediatrics now offers free prenatal appointments at its new comprehensive clinic at the USF Medical Clinic in North Tampa. The prenatal visit is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a valuable component of comprehensive pediatric care, Dr. Bowers said. The visit allows prospective parents to gather basic information about the pediatrician's credentials, office hours and coverage, hospital affiliation, protocol for taking phone calls and how emergencies are handled. But it's also a great opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns about such issues as bottle versus breastfeeding, immunizations, car safety, circumcision, and even anxieties about the pregnancy and child rearing. "It gives the pediatrician and the prospective parent the opportunity to get acquainted and see if their personalities and philosophies of health care mesh," Dr. Bowers said. "I take all the parents' concerns into account and assure them they will be partners in decisions made about their child's care." Dr. Bowers, mother of 17-month-old Jacob, said the most important criteria for her in selecting a pediatrician for her son was accessibility. "When you have a sick child, you want a doctor who will take your call – even if the problem occurs after hours or on weekends." Expectant parents have so much on their minds that they often don't think about selecting a pediatrician. While referrals from obstetricians, friends and area hospitals are helpful, Dr. Bowers said, there is no substitute for using the prenatal interview to search for the best physician to care for your child. Both moms and dads-to-be are welcome at the USF prenatal visits. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (813) 974-7562. |