Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      I’m a pediatric sleep specialist who has seen it all, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to get your child to (happily) stay in his own bed all night long. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Every Day of the Month

    When sex coincides with your most fertile ovulation days, you'll increase the chances of conceiving. Get to know each phase of your cycle to get pregnant faster.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY

    Signs of Approaching Labor: How to Tell Your Baby is Coming Soon

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the first signs of labor approaching, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES

    These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

    Curious which baby names stole the show this year? From new classics like Noah to tried-and-true faves like Ava, here are the top boy and girl names of the year so far, plus more naming trends to consider.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
    • Baby Name Quizzes
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn’t need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids’ birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY

    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

    Spend an afternoon making these Valentine's Day cards, decorations, and edible projects for kids. Bonus: These craft ideas are perfect for preschoolers and the ideal homemade gift for a few special someones!
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Dealing with Doctors
  4. 12 Secrets of the Pediatrician's Office

12 Secrets of the Pediatrician's Office

By Sarah Lorge Butler
March 21, 2010
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Kaysh Shinn
You probably have plenty of questions for your baby's pediatrician, but there might be a few you're afraid to ask. Lucky for you, we talked to doctors, nurses, and office managers to find out must-know secrets of the pediatrician's office.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mondays have the longest waits.

Credit: Veer

If you're thinking you can bring your kid in for a well visit first thing Monday, be out by mid-morning, and squeeze in a grocery-shopping trip by lunchtime, forget it. Pick any other weekday, because Mondays are crammed with appointments for kids who got sick over the weekend. So when should you schedule that visit? Wait times are often shorter -- and the staff is fresh and friendly -- for the first appointment in the morning (Tuesday through Friday) or after lunch. Avoid anything right after walk-in hours.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The office website or blog is your friend.

Credit: Fancy Photography/ Veer

Thirty-six percent of docs spend only 11 to 15 minutes with their patients, and 20 percent lower that time to 1 to 10 minutes. Make these minutes count by doing some quick research in advance. Many practices post frequently asked well-visit questions online. "They're typically about feeding, elimination, sleep, activity, developmental milestones, safety, and family-history issues," says Anne Francis, M.D., a pediatrician in Rochester, New York. Looking over these questions can guide you in pinpointing any potential problems.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You can book an extra-long office visit.

Credit: Lara Robby

Worried your baby needs something more than a scrip for antibiotics? If you think her problem might tie up the doc for more than ten minutes (maybe you're worried about chronic constipation), schedule a consult. Docs can get frustrated when you hit them with a bombshell at the end of a visit. "In my practice, six visits are usually ten minutes," says Ari Brown, M.D., a pediatrician in Austin, Texas. "Consultations can last 30 minutes to an hour."

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The office will remember if you're naughty or nice.

Credit: PhotoAlto/ Matton

When you're stuck in the waiting room for more than an hour with a crying baby, you wish you could be in a good mood. Well, try. The more pleasant you are, the more help you'll get from the staff; they have the power to give your visit that little nudge that makes all the difference. If you're nice, the office staff will be more than likely to squeeze you in when you phone in a pinch before your big beach vacay.

4 of 13

5 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

It's okay to play faves.

Credit: Lara Robby

Only 6 percent of moms surveyed in a recent americanbaby.com poll like all doctors in a pediatric practice equally. Say you originally signed on with Dr. Grinch, but you had to see another doctor (let's call him Dr. Nice) when your baby had a bad diaper rash. Want to switch? Chances are, Dr. Grinch won't even notice; if he does, he won't give it a second thought. Doctors want their patients to see whomever they feel comfortable with. Henry Collins, M.D., a pediatrician in a six-doctor group in Fairfield, California, says not to worry at all: "People come and go frequently. Patients don't need to worry about switching."

5 of 13

6 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You don't have to wait in the waiting room.

Credit: Kaysh Shinn

The most stressful part of a visit isn't meeting with the doctor. It's surviving the waiting room, where sick kids are more likely to recite the Gettysburg address than cough into their sleeve. You'll spend 20 minutes, on average, in that germ-filled space. If the wait is long, tell the receptionist you'll be in the hallway. She might agree to call your cell when a room is ready. Or you can peek in every five minutes.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You can BYOT (Bring Your Own Toys).

Credit: PhotoAlto/ Matton

Cleaners can only work so much magic, especially on a pediatrician's toy bin. Offices are wiped down daily, but there's no way to sanitize every wheel of every toy truck. And even when toys are cleaned, some viruses still stay put, researchers at the University of Virginia found in a 2008 study. Cold viruses can live longer than 24 hours on some surfaces. So if you're worried that your child might catch something, bring your own bag of tricks to keep her entertained.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nothing irks your doc more than your cell.

Credit: Bryan McCay

That Beyonce ringtone makes you smile, but it won't thrill the doctor. During the appointment, turn off your cell or put it on silent. If your phone rings or beeps when the doctor is talking -- and worse, if you answer -- she'll question whether she's getting through to you. "It's distracting, it wastes time, and it really makes it difficult to get information to parents," says Meg Tomcho, M.D., a pediatrician in Montrose, Colorado. Other dubious parental behavior: missing scheduled appointments; not notifying the receptionist before asking the doc to check a sibling (if little bro does have a sinus infection, the staff needs to pull his chart so the doctor can update the record); and sending a child in with a babysitter who can't answer a single question about the history of that rash.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Free samples aren't always a good thing.

Credit: Blaine Moats

You think, Jackpot! Free medicine! But wait a sec before accepting samples; they could actually result in your paying more in the long run. The first couple of go-rounds might be free. When you fill the Rx, though, you may pay more for that drug than you would for a generic (samples are typically available for newer, brand-name drugs). Plus, samples can have serious consequences. In 2008, researchers from the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts warned that pediatric samples carry "significant safety considerations." Four of the 15 most frequently distributed samples had warnings indicating serious risks.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

That $100 copay? Your doctor isn't concerned.

Credit: iStock

He's not worried about prescription costs inflating your credit card bill. And it's a good bet that he doesn't know how much you'll pay for different drugs. So if you're concerned about a drug's cost, ask about other options when the pediatrician writes an Rx -- he won't think you're a cheapskate. And ask the pharmacist to call the office if your bill at the drugstore is unexpectedly large. "We can often do something cheaper with generics," says Sarah Lester, an M.D. in Andover, New Hampshire.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You create an easier office visit for your child.

Credit: iStockphoto

Docs appreciate a helpful hint now and then. Some kids do better on the exam table, others on your lap, so speak up. "Parents should communicate If the child has a phobia, like, 'Johnny will freak if you touch his hair,'" Dr. Anne Francis, M.D., a pediatrician in Rochester, New York, says. It also helps to keep your explanations to the child positive. Say things like, 'This medicine will make you better. The examination will be fun. Dr. Anne will be checking your tummy.'" And if there's a chance of pain, be honest, but put it in a positive light: Tell your child that the shot will hurt some but will keep her healthy.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

No, they won't call with your child's test results.

Credit: Image Source/ Veer

In the craziness of cold and flu season, things can fall through the cracks. Details about phone consultations are usually noted in your baby's chart, but not always. Things can move too fast for offices to keep up. "Sometimes the patient returns in 48 hours after the first visit, and we don't have a record of the previous encounter in the chart yet because we're waiting for transcripts," Dr. Brown says. It's okay to follow up, especially if you're expecting lab results or a call from the doctor.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

And then there's the wait!

Credit: Kaysh Shinn

Anticipating a longer-than usual wait? Use this list to pack your bag:

Toys: A doctor's play kit can quell the anxiety of waiting for a checkup. Some fun-loving pediatricians will let their young patients "help" with the exam.

Art Supplies: Advertised as "mess-free," Craoyla Color Wonder markers can't do any damage -- colors show up only on special paper ($7-$19; Target, amazon.com). A spiral-bound notebook and pen will also do for doodling.

Books: Snuggle Puppy allows for lots of smooches and "oooooohs" ($6, bookstores). Froggy Goes to the Doctor tells the story of Froggy, who is nervous about his checkup ($6, bookstores).

Snacks: Pack something substantial for yourself, such as a Luna or Lara bar. It will keep your stomach from growling when the doctor finally arrives.

Essentials: Carry diapers, hand sanitizer, snacks that don't make a mess, sippy cups with water, stickers, and the phone number for your pharmacy so the office can call in prescriptions.

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 13 Mondays have the longest waits.
2 of 13 The office website or blog is your friend.
3 of 13 You can book an extra-long office visit.
4 of 13 The office will remember if you're naughty or nice.
5 of 13 It's okay to play faves.
6 of 13 You don't have to wait in the waiting room.
7 of 13 You can BYOT (Bring Your Own Toys).
8 of 13 Nothing irks your doc more than your cell.
9 of 13 Free samples aren't always a good thing.
10 of 13 That $100 copay? Your doctor isn't concerned.
11 of 13 You create an easier office visit for your child.
12 of 13 No, they won't call with your child's test results.
13 of 13 And then there's the wait!

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Parents

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
  • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Parents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

View image

12 Secrets of the Pediatrician's Office
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.