Choosing the child's doctor

Choosing the child's doctor: what are the options?

Parents usually land on one of these 3 approaches.

1. 1. Pediatrician

   A doctor who specializes in children.

2. 2. Family doctor

   A doctor who cares for all ages, including children.

3. 3. Nurse practitioner; chosen for philosophy fit, vaccine policy or access

   A nurse practitioner; and you choose by how well their approach, vaccine policy or availability fits you.

Choosing the child's doctor: what does the evidence say?

Your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.

No studies compare pediatricians with family doctors on child outcomes; the evidence that exists is about continuity: lower continuity of care in infancy was associated with more preventable hospitalizations and sick visits and lower odds of lead screening, and higher continuity with fewer urgent visits and more preventive care at ages 1-3. The AAP and Bright Futures publish the standard schedule of well-child visits, with more frequent visits in the first years. Which kind of clinician, and whether their vaccine and philosophy fit yours, is a personal call; ask about it before the birth

Sources

• Pediatrics, 2017
• HealthyChildren.org

What else is worth knowing?

Your child's doctor will see them often in the first year and answer many of your questions. Pediatricians specialize in children; family doctors and nurse practitioners also provide this care. Many practices will meet you before the birth.

Questions to ask each other

• What matters most to us in a doctor: philosophy, access, or the way they talk to parents?
• Do we want to meet a few before the birth?
• What would make us switch?

More in Newborn medical choices

• Vitamin K at birth
• Erythromycin eye ointment
• Hepatitis B at birth
• Newborn screening (heel prick, hearing, heart)
• Circumcision
• Tongue-tie release
• First-year vaccine schedule