The Sollis Guide to Finding a Pediatrician
Take control of your family's healthcare with these 15 questions.
Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions that a parent will make. Your child’s pediatrician doesn’t just play a role in treating their sprain or flu today, but in their future health, wellness, and longevity. Instead of waiting for an emergency to google the nearest doctor, take control by interviewing your prospects with 15 targeted questions that tell you whether a practice is right for your child and your family.
As you explore your options, here are 15 targeted questions to guide your search. We recommend reviewing them before you meet with prospective pediatricians so you can get to know your own preferences about your child’s care.
Access and Availability
The best pediatrician in the world isn't much use if you can't reach them when your child isn’t feeling well. Before committing to a practice, make sure you understand exactly what access means to them, whether it’s on a Tuesday morning during the school year or Friday night before a holiday weekend.
- How quickly can we get a same-day appointment? For a child with a high fever or a suspicious rash, a same-day appointment can mean the difference between peace of mind and a panicked ER visit. Ask about average wait times, not best-case scenarios.
- Is there after-hours support? As a parent, you know that kids rarely get sick on your schedule. Find out whether the practice has a nurse hotline, an on-call physician when the pediatrician is out, or any structured after-hours pathway to care.
- Is there 24/7 phone or virtual access? Telemedicine has changed healthcare for the better, making it more accessible to busy families, especially outside of traditional work hours. A practice that offers round-the-clock virtual triage can spare your family unnecessary trips while giving you medical guidance when anxiety is running high.
- If my child has a medical emergency, what's the plan? This is perhaps the most important question on this list—and you don’t want to wait for an emergency to find out the answer. In case of a serious injury or high fever, does the practice have the clinical capacity to stabilize your child on-site, or will they immediately refer you elsewhere?
Clinical Expertise and Philosophy
Beyond logistics, you want to know who is actually caring for your child. Their training and values will inform how they make decisions, from tracking your child’s developmental milestones to what medical procedures they provide.
- What's your training background? Ask where they completed their residency, if they’re board certified, whether they have any subspecialty training, and how long they've been in practice. Experience with a wide range of pediatric cases is a meaningful differentiator.
- Are you affiliated with any hospitals? This matters if and when your child needs inpatient care or a specialist referral. A well-connected pediatrician can navigate that system far more effectively on your behalf, saving you time and streamlining your child’s care.
- What's your approach to vaccines, antibiotics, and preventive care? A good physician will answer this question clearly and without defensiveness. Their philosophy on these cornerstone issues will tell you a great deal about their overall clinical judgment and whether their values align with yours.
- How do you track developmental milestones? Tracking developmental milestones is essential to ensuring that children meet expected skills in areas such as motor abilities, language, social interaction, and cognition. Ask how they screen for delays, what tools they use, and how they involve parents in the process.
Scope of Services and Continuity of Care
Building a relationship with a pediatrician you trust will improve your child’s health outcomes and ensure that their healthcare experiences are as relaxed as possible (for everyone, including you!). Consistency and comprehensive care are hallmarks of a practice that truly invests in your child's long-term health.
- Will my child see the same doctor consistently? Continuity of care has real clinical value. A physician who knows your child's personality as well as their medical history will catch things that a stranger won't.
- Do you coordinate specialist referrals? Navigating the specialist landscape is one of the most stressful parts of parenting a child, especially if they have a chronic condition or complex medical needs. Ask whether the practice actively manages referrals—facilitating a connection with other trusted, child-friendly doctors—or simply hands you a list of names.
- Do you treat stitches, fractures, or respiratory distress? In pediatrics, the scope of on-site treatment varies widely. While some practices are equipped to handle urgent situations, others may only be ready for well visits. Knowing your pediatrician’s capabilities will help you plan accordingly, preventing confusion and uncertainty during times of stress.
- Do you have in-office lab testing? On-site diagnostics for respiratory infections, seasonal viruses, and other conditions mean faster answers and fewer unnecessary trips. Ask what they can test for in the office and how quickly you'll get results.
Environment and Experience
Do you want your child to associate healthcare with a cold, sterile, uncomfortable environment? A calm, comfortable, well-organized space signals that a practice takes the entire patient experience seriously.
- Is your waiting room calm or chaotic? A crowded, noisy waiting room is stressful for children and parents alike. It also often signals longer waits, higher volume, and less personalized attention.
- Are sick and well children separated? This is a basic but important safeguard. Bringing a healthy child in for a well visit shouldn't expose them to whatever is circulating in the waiting room that week.
- Are your offices and exam rooms clean, organized, and thoughtfully designed? A well-maintained, thoughtfully designed space reflects an attention to detail that extends to clinical care. If the environment feels neglected, it's fair to wonder what else might be.
A New Era in Pediatric Care
While many traditional pediatric practices may excel at primary care, there is often a gap between primary and urgent and emergency medicine.
Sollis closes this gap with Sollis Pediatrics, our membership specialized for families based in Southern California. Unlike traditional pediatric practices or other medical memberships, our on-site Concierge Pediatrician is backed up by ER-trained medical teams that are available 24/7, so your child receives the care they need without waiting for an appointment, long lines at the urgent care, or the chaos of the traditional emergency room. The membership also includes exclusive medical features like allergy testing, one complimentary house call, camp and school physicals, and much more.
Ultimately, your goal should be to find an experienced physician who knows your child by name—not by chart. But if you want additional peace of mind, finding a provider that also offers features like same-day access, 24/7 availability, telemedicine, and ER-trained backup will make all the difference. Because you and your child deserve more than a busy signal during life’s most critical moments.