To Change or Not to change...Pediatrician

This is my philosophy on doctor's offices:

If the office staff is rude, mean, or look like they haven't had a decent night's sleep in five months (and act like it as well--a good indication that things aren't going well in the office, in other words), I will NOT stay with the doctor's office because it is an indicator about the state of the office, the nature of the doctor(s), and the type of people the doctors employ (assuming the doctor is okay). This may seem unfair, but I have noticed that if the staff isn't happy and customer friendly, I usually end up having serious trouble with either the doctors, the nurses, or someone else in the company (like billing). On the other hand, the offices with happy and professional office staffs always seem to run smoothly in other ways too: we don't have billing problems, the doctors and nurses are all good and very professional, etc.. Another point on this, you deal with the office staff almost as much as you deal with the doctor (if not more). Do you really want to put up with rudeness from them or the chance that they won't recognize a serious need if/when one arises?

As far as leaving, all you have to do is find a new doctor and have the new office send a record request to the new office. Believe me, this happens all the time and isn't anywhere near as meaningful to the doctor's office as it is to you. You don't have to offer ANY explanations whatsoever, and certainly don't have to feel bad about it.

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While there are no perfect doctors, if you are not satisfied with your current pediatrician then certainly find a new one. Personally I think that the lack of communication in that doctor's office could lead to a very serious mistake. It is so simple to rely instructions about the shots, but yet it wasn't done. I would wonder about what other mistakes are being made.

To change doctors all you have to do is find a new one. They can request your daughter's medical records be transferred over. You may have to sign a release, but that is all. I wouldn't tell the current pediatrician anything, unless you want to give a reason so they might make improvements.

And never feel bad for breaking up with a doctor. If any doctor does not provide the quality of care you feel you should be getting then find another doctor.

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Yes, change. The combination of problems indicates an unprofessionally run office. A laid back doctor isn't a bad thing by itself, but if she doesn't know you by now and if the staff makes errors or has no time to do basic tasks like make an appointment (every time), then it's time to get out. Most pediatricians will give you a no-cost interview before you join the practice to see if you are a good fit. They won't be able to comment specifically on your current doctor, but they can address concerns about things like the vaccination schedule and staffing levels. Meantime, you can see if the personality is a good match.

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You have every right to change your pedi. After all I went through three pedis with my first daughter until I found the best one. The first two did not know my daughter had torticollis and then the third diagnosed her immediately and then started her in therapy for it. So I always go with my gut feeling espeically since she is nb and you will need to go frequently in your first year. We have not moved to AZ and I have not found a good DR. So I just take them to a clinic when they need shots and if it something serious I fly to TX to go to our original pedi. I always go with my gut after all moms know these kinds of things. It is important that you have a DR you like and trust and feel comfortable with. I love that they always remember me and my children without looking at a chart. They also remember grandma and grandpa and always ask how they are or if I need them to take my kids to appts the whole staff remembers them. Now three children later thats my go to DR, So go with your gut and don't give up you will find a doctor that fits with what you find. Never lower your standards after all they are taking care of our most prized possessions.

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I would be changing doctors. It is NOT ok that the doc & nurse are not communicating and disregarding your wishes. You are paying for the service and well being of your child, you need to feel comfortable and confident in their services. It does sound like they are either poorly organized and/or under staffed, that is when mistakes do happen. Good for you being on top of things and asking questions.

You have valued reasons for changing. There is no need to tell them that you are looking for another doctor. Once you do find a new doctor you will need to get the your child's records, personally I would go and get them in your hand and take to your and doctor (you can have them send the records to the new place but I am not sure I would trust that it would be done in a timely fashion).

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Hi! You should love your pedi and be happy with her office. My 4 year old has had three now. The first was not concerned enough for this first time mom about a cyst on her head so she got a second at 4 months. I LOVED the second pedi but hated how hard it was to get in and how long I had to wait each time we were there so we switched again. Being too busy is a problem, I think, particularly when you have more kids because you don't want your well kid in that germ filled place any longer than they absolutely have to be!!

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WOW, YES! change pediatricians, right now! I wouldn't stand for some doctor forgetting my child's sex, getting the vax mixed up and not listening to what I as the mama said about it. You are your child's advocate. Be proactive, interview other pediatricians in the area and switch asap. You don't want to be going to this doctor if you ever have an emergency visit. As far as records, find another pediatrician-then ask that your records be transfered over there or you could pick them up if you feel more comfortable. Most offices will charge a fee for this and per page-so be forwarned... Best wishes!

M

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Of course you can change pediatricians...go for it...look around ...make some calls and actually talk to the staff or the doctor him/herself. There are as many different philosophies out there as there are doctors. My adult daughters have all found pediatricians who agree with their minimal medication/ delayed or no vaccination philosophies. I would be especially upset with the vaccination that clearly went against your wishes. DId the Doctor simply forget...did the nurse fail to follow the doctors orders...or did the Doctor tell you one thing and then do another?
A doctor is working for YOU....it is the same idea as...say a restaurant that you have always gone to...if the cook suddenly changed and the food wasn't good anymore...would you keep going just because you always had gone there??? NO!!! You would look around for a restaurant that made you happy...same with a doctor!!! Good luck on the search

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Yes I think you should change but that is just my opinion. I had a similar situation and wished I had changed earlier. Follow your gut and don't worry about being loyal to someone that doesn't know that your child is a girl.

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First of all,I can totally relate. My son was not diagnosed correctly with croup when he was 18 months old. He had so many antibiotics in a two week time span. I had to take him to the ER because he was very sick with a fever,diarreha and throwing up. The ER Doc,told us that it sounds like he had croup,consuquently that in a two week time span that was too many antibiotics for a child. He was admitted over night in the hospital and given and IV. Luckily,by the next afternoon he was a lot better. I was a first time mom too. I send them a letter and requested records to be sent to another pediatricians office. The new office is great and it is closer to home. It is your child,your not happy. You have every right to change. Sorry, I live across the country but I would tell you to talk to friends and see if they have and recommendations. God bless and good luck,

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I would change doctors. Anytime you feel you cannot trust their office, it is time to change.

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First of all, way-to-go asking for the lot numbers on those vaccines, and then noticing the difference between what was discussed and what was presented. You sound very on top of things.

If it were me I'd be looking for a new place too. I might also consider a family practitioner (instead of a ped). If I had it to do over again I would not go to a ped with my children at all. And I'm someone who liked my peds personally (nice guys with all the "right" credentials) - I just think pediatric practice has become all about the quick visit with a rote vaccine schedule. If there are any problems hand out antibiotics.

I expect more than that now, and wish I had known better when I was a young mom like you.

Good luck.

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Without a doubt change doctors! Find a new pedi and then sign the release forms to have her records sent to the new dr. When you see the new dr explain your concerns. Ask around and see who other moms use and love. No it is a big deal when they are rude and aren't consulting the dr before doing anything. You don't have to deal with that. If you actually dread going to this dr then it's time for a change. Don't feel bad for leaving them, you need to do what's best for your daughter and your sanity! Good Luck!

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Change doctors! They are not all the same. You have a whole list of reasons you are not comfortable with this doctor so make the change now so the new doctor can get to know your daughter while she's little and having regular appointments.

It's not a big deal to change doctors and don't worry about hurting their feelings. You do not owe them your business. They work for you and you get to decide if they are doing a good enough job to be providing care for your DD. You are her advocate and she is your priority.

Anyway, people leave the practice all the time because of insurance changes, moving, whatever. Just call the front desk and ask them for a copy of your chart, or have them send it to the new ped. Ask around to find a new doctor. I like to ask nurses or other doctors for their recommendations. You can even ask your own doctor or dentist who they would go to.

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I say switch. We weren't really happy with our first pediatrician, nothing really bad ever happened, just didn't get a good vibe. We finally made the switch and were so happy we did. It makes SUCH a difference in feeling comfortable in bringing issues up. I'm sure you'll be happy too.

I agree with you. I would change (I liked that she was willing to space the vaccinations out, but, she has been careless otherwise). This area is too important to get carelesss mistakes.

Well, I work in a Dr.s office and we get crazy busy sometimes, but I always make it a point to be friendly and smile at our pt's now matter how my day is going. I know, if it weren't for out pt's the place wouldn't be open and I would be out of a job. I think it says a lot about a place who they have representing them at the front desk.

As far as the Dr. goes, our kids Dr. always remember's both of our kids' names (no matter who's appt it is) and she makes us feel like we are her top priority at that moment. Her and her nurse tell us we are one of their favorite families and always looks forward to our appt time ( I hope she's telling the truth, but if she's just saying that, then at least she sure knows how to make us feel good!). She is thorough with our kids and goes into depth about our visits. We often chit chat about non related topics and our last visit we were there almost an hour and a half and most of the time we talk about other things.

Ok, can you tell we love our Dr.?! I'd say, if you aren't 100% sure, than you need to switch docs. We did, in fact we accidentally came accross this Dr. because she was the one on call the day our 2nd son was born and immediately we clicked. We kept scheduling our babies visits with her instead the other Dr.(they are in the same group) and we were going to tell her we wanted to switch Dr.s but she asked us first, so she handled everything for us. You might want to first see if there is anybody in the same medical group (of course you'd still have to see the same front desk people), that way the switch would be easier, otherwise the new office will just request the medical records be sent over. Good luck!! It's a great feeling when you do find the right Dr.!!

I've never changed but I would assume the new dr would call the old one for your file.

I highly recommend Glendale Pediatrics. They have separate waiting rooms for sick/well, can get you in quickly for appointments and have an on-site lactation clinic.

A doctor is a service provider that is it. They provide a service. If they are not meeting your expectations then leave. We look at doctors to highly. You are the mom and you know your child the best!!!

You have to be comfortable with your pediatrician, if you are not, you should definitely change. No matter what the reason is, big or small.

remember that you are paying them. they work for you. change if you're not happy. and if you do, give them some constructive feedback. tell them the reasons you changed so they can improve their service (or not!).

good luck!

As everyone else has said, I also think you should switch. I'm a first time mom, and I felt strange about switching also, but I'm so glad we did. My baby is nine months old, and this is her third pediatrician, but we finally found the right fit.

So I actually do have a recommendation for you: Dr. Lauren Lubin. Her office is near Providence St. Josephs. She is friendly with our baby and with us, has a friendly staff, has a clean and professional office, answers questions, and seems thorough (definitely more so than our other two doctors). All of their records are computerized so we go home from our visit with a printout showing her height and weight stats and all the recommendations that the doctor talked to us about. The only drawback I've seen so far is that we've had to wait a bit in the waiting room before being seen. It's worth it to me because we think she's great, but it may not be worth it to you. Her office number is ###-###-####.

Oh, and I don't think we even bothered getting my baby's records transferred. She had never had any really medical issues, and we had her vaccination card so they could see what shots she had already had.

YES!! Time to change! That shot mistake is VERY serious! Good looking out!
There are so many great ones out there. I LOVE our Ped, and the office, nurses, everything. Ask around, friends, family, or even the internet, a lot of doctors are reviewed online. When I switched our Ped, the old office just made me sign a paper saying I was allowing them to release the info and the new office did the rest.

Change. You can't trust them and you are such a good mom, you will catch other mistakes.

Change if you are unhappy. We go to Burbank Pediatrics with Dr. Frend. Both he and Dr. Boxstein are great. Nurse is good too...good luck!

Don't feel bad. If you aren't happy with your pediatrician, definitely look around and switch. Once you've found the doctor you like (do you have friends in the area who can recommend someone they like?) just have their office call your old pediatrician's office for your daughter's previous records. Lots of people change doctors for many reasons; and you definitely should find a doctor that you are happy with. Good luck!

Definitely switch! There are enough pediatricians out there who don't behave in this manner. Your baby is going to be growing up with this person. It's important that you're comfortable enough to have this person in your life for potentially the next 18 years!

Also, my pediatrician sees lots of patients, too, and still remembers my daughter each time (or at least fakes it really well!). Don't settle!