Parents Guide - Being Prepared for Pediatric Visit
During this visit your child's pediatrician will give your child schedule vaccinations and tell you how much your child has grown since their last visit. By using a growth chart, your pediatrician can tell you where your child's height and weight status is compared to other children the same age.
These check-ups also offer a valuable opportunity to sit down with your doctor and discuss questions you may have about your child's health and development. Your pediatrician, nurses and dietitians are one of your best resources for your child's health and nutrition.
Today's pediatrician is very busy with less time to spend with patients. They want to be there to guide you with any concerns or questions you might have but they are juggling a very busy patient schedule.
You can optimize your time with the doctor by being prepared. There are often questions about your child's development or concerns about their eating habits. It is important to discuss your child's development, eating habits, and even BMI score. The best time to review these important topics is when your child is well and as part of their check up, not when they are sick.
But by the time you get the kids in the car and to the office, it can be very easy to forget those important questions. Follow these simple guidelines and you will get the most out of your time with your child's pediatrician. Your child's physician will be most appreciative and so will you.
Quick tips for being prepared for your child's pediatrician visit.
- Make a list of any questions you might have about your child. If you are not sure, use our pediatric wellness visit discussion sheet as a guide to help you review important health topics about your child
- Bring your child's vaccination and immunization card to the appointment. This is an important card to keep current. Most schools will require a copy of this record before your child can go to school.
- If your child was seen in the emergency room or was hospitalized, make sure a copy of the visit or hospitalization has been sent to your child's pediatrician. Don't assume that a copy has been sent or that your doctor will know because he works for the same hospital system. Hospital systems have different recording keeping systems than a doctor's private office. If your child had some emergeny while out of town, ask the hospital or doctor who cared for your child to give you a copy of his medical records. Bring that to your child's pediatrician. It is important that your pediatrician be aware of your child's past and recent illnesses.
- If your child is on any medication, over the counter or prescription, bring the actual medicines so the doctor can review them.
- Bring some toys or books to help keep your child occupied while you wait for your visit.
To help you make the most of your visit with your doctor we have prepared some age-specific pediatric visit sheets.
Print the appropriate sheet for your child's age and take it to your child's next pediatric annual physical. These sheets provide some good topics to discuss with your pediatrician, nurse or dietician.
Written by Maggie LaBarbera
Written on Oct 27, 2011
Last updated on Nov 01, 2015