Pediatric Primary Care
Your child’s health and development are top priorities – for you, and for us. Our network of OSF Medical Group pediatricians specialize in pediatric primary care and are connected to more specialized care at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois when needed. We work together to support your child’s health and happiness through every stage.
What is pediatric primary care?
Children’s primary care is a specialty dedicated to care for kids. It includes ongoing regular check-ups, vaccinations and treatment for common illnesses by a pediatrician. It is often provided in a friendly and supportive environment and focuses on the unique needs of children. Pediatricians can also offer guidance on growth, nutrition and more.
How to Choose a Pediatrician
Choosing a pediatrician for your child is an important part of becoming a parent. There’s a lot to consider, including their training, experience, office location and hours.
Here’s a list of important things to consider when choosing a health care provider for your child:
Location
Questions about the office location include the following:
- Is the office near your home or place of work?
- How long does it take to get there during rush hour?
- Is parking convenient?
- Does the practice have more than one office?
- Are the same providers at the same offices all the time?
The healthcare provider
Questions about the provider include:
- Ask about the provider's training and experience. Do they have a specialty or area of interest?
- Are they board certified? If so, have they recertified recently?
- Ask about the provider's opinion on immunization and use of medicines. This includes antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines. Will they prescribe medicines over the phone?
- Will your child see the same provider for all visits?
- What happens if your child gets sick during the night or on weekends? Whom do you call?
The office
Questions about the office itself include the following:
- What are the office hours?
- Are there weekend or evening hours?
- How do you make an appointment?
- How long does it take to get a well-child appointment?
- How long does it take to get a sick-child appointment?
- What about payments and billing? Is this provider listed on your insurance plan? What hospital is the provider affiliated with? Is this compatible with your insurance plan?
- Does the office have walk-in hours?
- How long do you have to wait in the office before you're seen?
- Is there a separate waiting area for sick children?
- Do the office staff seem friendly and interested in children?