3 Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician

By Mark Roque, MD, Pediatrician, AdventHealth Medical Group

These days, most parents choose pediatricians before their babies are even born. But maybe you’ve just moved to a new area and need to find a new pediatrician for your young children or teens. Maybe you’ve changed jobs and found that your previous physician doesn’t accept your new insurance.

If you’re in any of these situations, don’t panic! Choosing a qualified, compassionate physician for your child is one of your most important jobs as a parent, but there are steps you can take to find the pediatrician that fits your life and feel confident about your decision.

1. Ask around

Your friends, family and co-workers are great sources of information. If they’re taking their kids to someone they like, find out exactly why they are satisfied with their pediatrician. Their reasons for choosing a certain pediatrician may be different from yours. If you’ve just moved to the area, ask your child’s teacher or school administrators for recommendations; they are likely to know of many options. If you’re pregnant and trying to get a head start, ask your OB/GYN for a few recommendations.

2. Have a chat

With a list of potential pediatricians in hand, call the office of each. Ask about the doctor’s background and training and get a general feeling for how the practice operates. Do they seem competent and respectful? Ask whatever questions seem relevant to you: What hospital does the doctor use? Does the practice have extended or weekend hours? What is the staff’s policy on returning phone calls? Are there other physicians or advanced practitioners in the group who can see your child should his doctor be out? If you are impressed with what you hear, arrange to meet with or talk to the doctor and ask any additional questions. Don’t be shy – pediatricians and their office assistants are used to this and should accommodate you. Pre-natal visits with pediatricians are often free of charge.

3. Look at the bigger picture

Nobody wants to think about their child having a serious health issue arise that requires a specialist referral or hospital treatment. Having a doctor who is part of a trusted, highly rated network of care – one that includes specialty physicians and surgeons who can seamlessly access your child’s full medical history and information – will ease your mind if those unexpected situations occur.

Pediatric Care in Your Neighborhood

We offer a world-class network of pediatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants close to home for babies, children and adolescents. Plus, our team is backed by the state-of-the-art facilities at AdventHealth for Children. We’re always here to keep your little ones feeling their best. All of our physicians are part of the AdventHealth Care Network.

About Dr. Roque
Mark Roque, MD, is an experienced pediatrician and clinical researcher who has been practicing medicine in Central Florida since 2001. In addition to providing pediatric care including preventive health screenings, vaccinations, well-child exams, school/sports physicals, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, he serves as a sub-investigator for clinical trials aimed at finding improved therapies for a variety of childhood diseases and at developing improved vaccines. A graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School in Virginia, Dr. Roque carried out his pediatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. He holds certifications in both pediatric and neonatal advanced life support.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit AdventHealthMedicalGroup.com or call 407- 821-3680.