Name of doctor: ___________________________________________

Name of practice: __________________________________________

Location: ________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________

How did you hear of this doctor? __________________________________


About the Practice
You might want to ask the doctor's office staff these questions before you decide whether to interview the physician.

1. Do you take _______________ [name of your insurance]?

2. Is this a solo or group practice? solo / group

• If solo, who covers when the doctor isn't available?________________________
  
• If group, how often will we see other doctors in the practice? _________________
  
• 
  
  3. How long has this doctor been in practice? ______ years
  
  4. Does the doctor have any subspecialties? _____________________________________________
  
  5. What are your hours? _____________________________________________________
  
  6. What evening or weekend hours are available? _________________________________
  
  7. Does your practice encourage parents to call for routine/non-emergency questions? yes/no
  
  8. How will we reach you if my child gets sick after hours? __________________________
  
  9. How can I reach the doctor in an emergency? __________________________________
  
  10. When the doctor's not on call, who covers? ________________________________________
  
  11. Which hospitals is the doctor affiliated with? ____________________________________
  
  12. Does the doctor see newborns in the hospital or at the first office visit? ______________________
  
  13. Does the doctor respond to e-mail? yes / no
  
  14. Does the practice have a Web site? yes / no
  
• If so, what's the URL? _______________________
  
• 
  
  15. How does the practice handle payments, billing, laboratory charges, and insurance claims? ____________________________________
  
  About the Doctor
  Most doctors have only about ten minutes to spare for an interview. Some will charge a consultation fee if the interview takes longer.
  
  1. What do you like best about your job? _________________________________________
  
  2. Do you have children? ______________________________________________________
  
  3. Will you be available for discussions about my child's behavioral developments (discipline issues, social development, etc.)? yes / no
  
  4. Where are your views on:
  ? bottle-feeding _________________________________________
  ? circumcision __________________________________________
  ? antibiotics ____________________________________________
  ? immunizations ________________________________________
  ? parenting methods _____________________________________
  ? childhood obesity _____________________________________
  ? getting babies to sleep___________________________________
  ? alternative medicine ___________________________________
  
  
  Questions to Ask Yourself
  If the doctor answers all your questions effectively but your intuition tells you that the relationship won't be a good fit, examine why, and trust your instincts.
  
  1. Was everything clean? yes / no
  
  2. Is the waiting room pleasant and kid-friendly? yes / no
  
  3. Were toys and books available to occupy your child? yes / no
  
  4. Were the office staff and nurses helpful and patient? yes / no
  
  5. How long were you kept waiting? _____ minutes
  
  6. Does your child seem to respond well to the doctor? yes / no
  
  7. Does the doctor seem to welcome questions? yes / no
  
  8. Does the doctor seem to know about the latest medical advances? yes / no
  
  9. Is the doctor's style of communication a good fit with yours? yes / no
  
  10. Is the doctor more inclined to give you directions or offer you options? directions / options
  
  11. Did you feel comfortable with the doctor? yes / no
  
  12. Was parking readily available? yes / no