When your child is young, probably the best choice for their medical care is a pediatrician. The pediatrician is familiar with children's issues, and can make sure that your child gets the appropriate care. However, as your child grows older, they will need to transition from their pediatrician to a primary care physician who can take care of all their medical needs as they age and turn into adults. However, transitioning to a family physician from a pediatrician isn't always a nice, smooth process. There are things that you need to think about before you start the process.
Age
While some pediatricians will continue to see children until they are 18, others work only with children who are in their teens or younger. That's one way that age comes into play. Another is your child's age. As they turn into teenagers, they may feel uncomfortable with a doctor of the opposing gender. Trying to discuss things like periods or puberty with a doctor that your child has been with for their entire life can be very difficult. At that point, switching to a new doctor might be a good idea, but follow your child's lead. A young teenager is going to be old enough to want to have some say in their medical care.
Finding the Doctor
One good place to start is with a referral from the pediatrician. They will have had a long relationship with your child, and they will be familiar with other doctors in the area. That means that they may be able to give you a suggestion as to which doctor will be the best fit for your child. This is especially true if your child has some special health needs. For example, if they have a chronic illness, you are going to want to make sure your child's new doctor is familiar with or specializes in your child's condition. You may also want to talk to your personal doctor. They may have an opening in their practice that your child can fill. However, the doctor may think that it's a conflict of interest to treat both you and your child, or your child may be uncomfortable with it. It's important to make sure that your child feels that they have a say in what's happening with their medical care.
You may not be ready to face the fact that your child is growing up. It's something that's hard on all parents. But children have to grow up at some point, and finding a doctor (such as Friedrich Tomas J MD) who can grow with them is part of that.
Share17 June 2015
Are you pregnant or planning to conceive? If so, it is time to begin learning about the medical professionals that will work with you through the nine months of pregnancy and through the labor and delivery. Many women are unaware of the important role that a midwife plays throughout a pregnancy. Knowing what a midwife does and how having a midwife can help you through what can be a difficult time will help you find one that you will feel comfortable with. My site is filled with information about pregnancy, labor and delivery and working with a midwife to help other soon-to-be mothers make the decisions that are best for their situations.