Preparing Ahead Helps Make the Most of Doctor Visits for Your Child

Planning ahead for children’s doctor visits may help parents make the most of pediatrician visits, a new study finds. The study also emphasized talking to children before the visit so that both parents and children can be prepared.

Visits to pediatricians are more beneficial when parents prepare themselves and their children, research finds.

According to Quadri, author of the research, parents’ time is becoming more and more precious and these appointments are so frequent and the team aimed at helping parents make the most of that time.

Childhood Allergies - Types, Risk factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Childhood allergies are on the rise, may be potentially debilitating, may last lifelong, and require treatment under an experienced allergy specialist.

‘Planning ahead and coming prepared help make the most of pediatrician visits, experts advise parents.’

The team emphasized that it is important for parents to know the child’s medical history well and know what’s up-to-date regarding children’s healthcare and vaccinations.

The freely accessible patient page (bit.ly/2MJ6OyI) emphasizes the best ways for parents to prepare children and their medical files before meeting with doctors. “It’s also really valuable to have that one-on-one time with a doctor, especially when we have so many resources online with different medical advice,” she said. “Having that connection with a person who has expertise can be a source of support as you go through the new experience of parenting.”

Quadri and co-author Megan Moreno of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison first recommend knowing your child’s history and family’s history to ensure that medical records are accurate and up-to-date. Don’t forget to transfer them if seeing a new clinician, and consider taking a folder with your child’s records to appointments.

Children Food Allergies – Peanut Allergy – Egg Allergy - Milk Allergy
If you are allergic to certain food items-Watch out for what you eat

Pediatricians will ask about your child’s health, your family’s health, and your child’s development at every visit. It is therefore, helpful to be familiar with developmental milestones, such as crawling, walking, and different phases of talking. These milestones are also important because doctor may ask you to fill out development questionnaires to assess how your child’s growth is progressing.

“Many parents don’t realize that yearly health supervision or ‘check-up’ visits are recommended for children age 3 (years) and up as well,” said Dr. Jennifer Shu of Children’s Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia, who is also medical editor of HealthyChildren.org.

Childhood Obesity - Criteria - Causes - Complications, Treatment
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious health challenges in the developing countries and needs to be understood and tackled effectively.

“When children are younger and making frequent visits to the pediatrician for routine immunizations and the expected toddler illnesses, going to the doctor is top-of-mind,” she told Reuters Health by email. “Once kids start elementary school, check-ups can fall out of habit.”

The patient resource also recommends bringing a list of questions about health and development topics to visits. For questions about movements or behaviors, for instance, consider bringing a picture or video. For children who take medicine, including inhalers, it helps to bring the drugs to the visit to confirm current doses and ask any questions.

Childhood Asthma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Childhood asthma is a condition that affects airways in children and interferes with their daily activities including play, sports, school and sleep.

It’s also important to talk to your child before the visit to prepare for it. This can depend on your child’s age and maturity, but in general, it is best to be as honest as you can about the visit and what it will involve, including undressing or physical exams. Talk about the possibility of shots and blood tests, and explain that these are normal to do. Try to schedule a fun activity after the visit to reward your child for a job well done, and avoid describing doctor visits or vaccines as punishments or part of behavior negotiations.

Bringing drinks, snacks, books, and toys may be a great idea as they keep children occupied while waiting at the doctor’s office.

“I encourage parents to pick a time of year that’s convenient and easy to remember so it becomes a yearly routine,” Shu said. “For example, some of my patients like to bring all of their kids at the same time while on summer break.”

Shu takes her daughter to the pediatrician every fall on her birthday so she can get a flu vaccine at the same time. Other parents plan annual check-ups when school, sports or camp forms are needed.

“Some families have experiences with the healthcare system that aren’t always the most positive, and seeing a doctor often can seem uncomfortable or strange,” Quadri said. “We’re here to support parents, answer their questions and monitor their child’s development over time.”

Source-Medindia