Thinking About Changing Pediatricians

Updated on April 07, 2008
R.R. asks from Coachella, CA
7 answers

Hey moms out there in the Coachella Valley. I'm thinking of looking for a new pediatrician. The Doctor is pretty good but her office staff is rude and I'm tired of being treated like a DMV customer every time I take my daughter to see the doc. I'm looking for a pediatrician who isn't totally on the prescription band wagon and who doesn't mind that I am taking more time to vaccinate my daughter. I'd like a doctor to work with me instead of against me. I try to read all I can on vaccinations and there's nothing wrong with taking more time in between vaccines. Today my nurse practitioner told me that I should come back in a week for 2 more vaccines becuause my daughter is 9 months old and she MUST have the hib and pneumoccal two times more before she's 12 months. What? Anyway it's confusing enough to try to make the right choices and make sense of what I read. It would be nice if my doctor's office was at least compassionate towards parents that want to vaccinate on a longer schedule, plus they're rude and who needs that. Please let me know if any of you love your baby's MD's and if you know any that sound like what I'm looking for. Thanks.

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J.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi Becky. I am doing the same thing w/ vacs and at first my son's pediatritian was skeptical and tried to change my mind but now he accepts my choice. I really like his staff and I never have to wait longer than 5-7 minutes. His name is Dr. Coit in Rancho Mirage. He is in the Eisenhower complex of buildings. I hope that helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi R.. We've been going to Dr. Coit for years and we really like him. We rarely have to wait at his office, the staff are always pleasant, and he refrained from judging me for choosing home birth with my 2 youngest (even though I suspect he's not a big proponent), so he's likely to be open to your vaccination wishes. His office is in Rancho Mirage & his phone is ###-###-####. BTW, he seems to be well versed in all issues surrounding vaccines; we were really concerned about them too and his responses showed he's keeping current and studying up (some MDs just form their opinions and won't entertain any other point of view).

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I absolutly love my ped. Dr. Alan Coit in rancho mirage ###-###-####.
He's extremly patient, not only with me but with the kids too. My daughter is 2 1/2 and my son is 13mths. I'm spacing out my vacs he doesn't mind. He has also set my mind at ease. he only has 2 girls in his office very nice. My daughter loves Kara is nurse. The only down fall is he has an extremly dry sense of humor. I actually appreciate it, because I have one too. He says thing that if taken litteral could be rude, but he's just joking. Example- my son falls a lot and hits his head a lot. I asked him when should I be concerned. He said well you'll save money on his college tuition, and then he answered my question seriously. He's a really good doctor. He doesn't prescribe meds just because, and he errors on the caution side. I can always get in the day I call if I need to be seen. They don't over schedule so you never feel rushed. If your nursing they let you stay in the room and nurse. He takes the time you need, never in a hurry and I never wait for my appointment. At the very least call and set-up an appointment to meet him. He's a little drive for me, but well worth it. :-) good luck

T.

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D.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Becky,
I live in La Quinta and have 2 kids ages 4 and 11 months. They both see Dr. Alan Coit in Rancho Mirage the office phone # is ###-###-####. We really like him, he gives his own shots and really pays attention to the kids. His office staff is also great! He has a website www.drcoit.com. I have also heard that Jasmine Ramos, M.D. is good but we have never been to her. The Dr. that I would NOT reccomend is Dr. Go at Valley Childrens Medical in Indio. It's a total "mill" in there. Good luck!

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E.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Becky,
Switching pediatricians is always a difficult choice. It sounds as though you and your baby are seeing the NP not the MD, sometimes this can be frustating if it should happen repeatedly.
I am a pediatric nurse. Before a vaccination/immunization is to be given, the NP or Pediatrician (especially if your unsure) should (and by Law) make available to you what's called a VIS "Vaccine Information Sheet", these are information sheets generated from the CDC (Center for Disease Control. Sometimes vaccines/immunizations that are not given in a timely manner, may cause loss of effitiveness. You can access these 'VIS' sheets directly through the 'CDC' website.

As far as rudeness, well unfortunately there are alot of rude people out there, not just in Pediatricians' offices. If you are happy with your Pediatrician or NP, if they care for your baby in a competent manner, and you feel secure in their care for your baby. Stick with him/her. Staff changes usually more often than not. Who knows? Maybe, the staff member you least like transfers to another Pediatricians' office the one you just happened to change to!
Good Luck in your search!
Liz in Coachella Valley

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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello R.,
I have a seven year old girl and a 14 month old boy. I have tried out almost every pediatrician in this valley and I highly recommend Dr.Coit. My daughter was sick alot growing up and everyone just wrote her a prescription. This drove me crazy because no one would listen to me! They didn't understand I did not want another prescription, I wanted to know why she was getting sick so much! Long story short, it was her diet, which was causing her to over produce mucus and a few other things. So, I understand the importance of doctors writing prescriptions and not taking care of the problem! Dr. Coit is not like that. His office staff is the best too! As far as vaccinations, they explain alot about them and give you a print-out of what each one is etc. His office staff is wonderful and just as helpful as the doctor. You are not another number but a person in that office! Also, I am always able to have my children seen the day I call due to a illness (never once have I had to wait a day). Good Luck! I recommend that you interview a few doctors because only you will know if that doctor is right for you and your little one! Congratulations too! I bet she has changed your whole life! Isn't it amazing!

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I use Dr. Millan. He is at Eisenhower. ###-###-####. We have used him since my oldest was born. 12 years. I also have a 9 month old baby girl. He is great with her. The boys like him also. He is very cautious with antibiotics. He is a father also. The office staff is very nice. He also separates well visits from sick visits. Which I love. Hope this helps. Good luck.

M.

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