Seeking DC-Area Pediatrician Recommendations - What Matters Most to Your Family? Body:

[linjindan444]

New(ish) to the DMV and overwhelmed by pediatrician options! Would love local parent insights on:

Priorities for Us:
✅ Communication Style (Do they explain clearly or rush appointments?)
✅ After-Hours Access (24hr nurse line? Weekend sick visits?)
✅ Vax Policy (Strictly pro-science or flexible schedules?)

Current Shortlist:
• [Practice A] - Great reviews but long wait times
• [Practice B] - Convenient location, less personal

Discussion Starters:

Would you choose a farther doctor with better bedside manner?

Any practices with amazing ADHD/anxiety support?

"Red Flags" we should watch for?

Bonus Q: Anyone at Children’s National who can share real wait-time experiences?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you give enough details to get specific recommendations.

When I needed a new pediatrician, I started with location and insurance. From there, I narrowed it down based on my priorities. I did online research, then made a few phone calls and then visited two different offices before deciding which one.

I think if you came back with questions about specific locations or practices, you might get better feedback.

[Anonymous]

We like Children First Pediatrics in Silver Spring/Rockville. No alternative vaccine schedules allowed (although while I always get offered one if my kids are due, I get the sense that declining a covid booster wouldn't be a deal breaker at this point). I have been pleased with the amount of medical explanation they provide and we do not feel rushed. Just recently we had a weight check/new baby visit with an NP and I asked a question about something else and she wasn't completely sure so she went to get the doctor from the other room to verify.

They have a good availability of telehealth including after hours. They do have some weekend availability. Sick visits are same day and can be scheduled for telehealth or in person depending on the issue. You can call and talk to a nurse at the actual practice during office hours if you aren't sure if your child needs to be seen or not. They have a contracted 24/7 nurse line which I've never needed to call. They seem pretty good at ADHD/autism support to me and they have therapists in the practice.

I have several friends at Children's National primary care and they all complain that the patient volume is so high that the doctors don't remember their kids and they can't get sick appointments. We love them for inpatient care though. Specialists are department dependent IME.

[Anonymous]

Someone correct me if I am wrong here, I don’t think you will find any pediatricians around here that offer alternative vaccine schedules. I’m sure there are the specific cases where the kids can’t be vaccinated or need a different schedule but those are case by case.

We go to Friendship Pediatrics in Chevy Chase. I’ve never felt rushed and I’ve only had trouble once getting a sick appointment at the height of flu season.