Finding a doctor

[Moes Mom]

Greetings all. Moe is doing very well since his trach operation last friday. He is using a bottle for half his feeds and is doing really well..
The nicu, is telling me to find a doctor who can handle a preemie and his trach.. I have called and called docotrs offices and to no avail, can't even get a call back..
I was wondering how difficult it was for you all to find a ped.?
Mind you I have about a month or so until Moe may be able to come home..
Oh and yesterday was Moes due date, he will be 3 months on monday!!!

[Barb]

I'm shocked that the NICU is leaving that up to you with no guidance?? I'd ask a neonatologist that you like to recommend a pediatrician (I assume that is what you need?). Do you have an ENT and pulmonologist now? In my son's case, they (and various other specialists) actually see him more than his "primary" doctor.
-Barb

[Shari]

You might find a good ped by asking the nurses if they know of someone in your area. If you are at a large teaching facility, there is a good bet that someone who did their residency at the hospital may be in your area practicing general pediatrics.
-Shari

[cariaad]

We went thru 6 (I think) pediatricians looking for one who understood Alli's special needs. ANd for most of her first year home the various specialists did see her more often than the peds ever did. What we found was 1. ask nurses for recommendations 2. ask local support groups for parents of special needs for recommendations 3. ask your specialists (if you like them) for recommendations and then make an appointment and plan on going over everything in detail and see how you feel about their responses. With some we knew immediately, others it took a bit to decide. It is a tough search, especially when your child has a yard long list of diagnoses form the very start! But hang in there and don't be afraid to change if you arent happy. Deb

[bosslady_tx]

We lucked out with our Pediatrician. Frank has seen him since the day he was born. We started seeing him when my daughter was a baby. He has many special needs patients, but he does not specailize in special needs. He is great. which of course meant we did not have to look for one for Frank. We went through 3 before we found him for my daughter.

He leaves most of Frank's care to us. We get input from him, but most of the time we know what Frank needs,and all we have to do is call him. 99% of the time Frank is sick he stays at home now. We do not have nursing care, my husband stays at home with Frank.

Misty

[hcs_mom]

You may also want to check with the ENT who did the trach surgery. I can't believe the NICU is leaving this up to you! I would guess that once Moe is discharged from the NICU that a neonatologist will follow him (at least that's how it works here). Our neonatologist (who happens to be the same one that followed my older daughter) recommended a pediatrician. You might also want to call them and set up an appointment to get a feel for their practice and the way they practice medicine. One thing I would suggest looking for is an office with a well side and a sick side. Also, what kind of coverage do they provide for after hours and weekends? Also, make sure they have a good relationship with the specialists that will be following your son to avoid "turf" wars. Our ped handles immunizations, well checks, and basic issues like ear infections, minor colds, etc. Any serious respiratory, trach, growth issues, etc., I leave to Hannah's specialists.

Good luck in your search and get someone in the NICU involved!
Jennie

[Laurie]

Our NICU left the choice to us as well, and we did ask for recommendations. However, we ended up with a local doctor who does very few special needs kids, but who has a really positive attitude, who gave us his home phone number, and makes house calls so that Evan does not need to come to the office and get exposed to germs! He is the perfect balance for all the specialists Evan sees - because he recognizes when Evan is "just being two". He also knows his limits, and will contact the specialists when he needs help with Evan's care. So, I just wanted to say that it may be that a regular old pediatrician with the right attitude may work out very well. We do rely heavily on Evan's pulmonary doctor as well. Also, we will be a patient of Dr. Cotton's starting in two weeks.