Your family moved to a new area for a career opportunity, and now you need to find a pediatrician for your 3-year-old daughter. What should you be looking for?
“Ideally, you would hope the doctor you’re trusting to advise you and care for your child is knowledgeable, compassionate and honest,” says James P. Keating, MD, pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “One of the key indicators of a well-rounded knowledge base is if a pediatrician is board certified. This lets parents know the physician has undergone a rigorous process that includes exams and recertification. It exemplifies an added commitment and dedication to providing the best care possible.”
Choosing a board-certified physician is a good way to ensure that your child not only receives the best care now, but continues to receive quality care in the future. Maintaining certification through the American Academy of Pediatrics includes ongoing evaluations from both colleagues and parents—the people who see first-hand the quality of care a pediatrician provides.
For a brochure on how to choose a hospital, or for a referral to a board-certified pediatrician, call 314.454.KIDS (5437) or toll free 800.378.KIDS.