Choosing Your Baby's Health Care Provider

Questions for Baby's Potential   Care Provider Contact List for Pediatric Health   Care Providers

• A doctor of osteopathy (DO) is a medical doctor who has training in osteopathy, a study of the body's muscle and bones structures. Many DO's have special training in treating children; if you do choose a DO as your baby’s health care provider, make sure that this is the case.
  
• A family physician is a medical doctor who provides care to all family members, including women, men, and children.
  
• A pediatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained in caring for children.
  
• A physician assistant (PA) is a health care professional licensed to practice medicine under a doctor's supervision. PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, do tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in some states can write prescriptions.
  
• A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is a nurse who has graduate training to provide baby care (including vaccinations), treat children, and prescribe medications. PNPs work with medical doctors and often have hospital privileges.
  
• A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a registered nurse with advanced training who functions as a primary health care provider to people of any age. FNPs usually work in practices with physicians. However, they also work in rural or remote areas not served by doctors, and sometimes specialize in caring for individuals of different cultural groups.

Continue to "Prenatal Visits"