3 Signs of a great family practice

A good Atlanta family practice makes time for you.

When you have small children, a good relationship with your family doctor is important. Your doc will be the one to measure your child during the first year of life while curing earaches, sniffles and broken arms later on down the road. This is why choosing a family doctor is so important; you might see your physician more than you see some members of your family! So, once you've decided, how do you know you've picked a winner? Look for the signs of a stellar family practice to make sure you've got the best in the biz.

1. Quick appointments. When you call your doctor's office because your child has a high fever, how fast do they get you in? A good family doctor ensures that patients are seen quickly, especially since a child's symptoms can change so rapidly. Depending on the reason for the appointment, a good family practice leaves enough room on the schedule to see last-minute cases as soon as possible.

2. Catering to kids. One of the marks of a great family doctor isn't the way she speaks to you; it's the way she addresses her kids. Bedside manner is seriously important for doctors dealing with young children, so a bright smile, comforting words and even some time-honored distraction techniques pen your doctor as a compassionate physician who loves children. The design of the office can also speak volumes about the type of practice it is; a family doctor should have an area for children with books, magazines and even small toys to keep them busy.

3. Answering questions. A good family practice is in the business of ensuring that even the littlest patients are healthy. As a parent, you'll have tons of questions for your child's doctor. Clear answers, suggestions and even referrals are all part of a smart physician's repertoire. Armed with the right information, you can start to feel more comfortable in your parenting skills and intuition.

If you don't have a family physician you love, check out these Atlanta-based family doctors.