By Dr. Marla Law Abrolat
Perhaps no one cares as much about your child’s health as you do. And as your child’s primary spokesperson, you have an important role to fill. Here are some tips from Kaiser Permanente.
How should parents communicate with their pediatricians?
Different forms of communication require different preparations. Regardless, it is important that you prepare before contacting your pediatrician. Preparation includes organization.
For an office visit
Before you go in think about “What goals do I have for the visit?” and write a prioritized list that you take to the appointment. Write out all your questions. It may be helpful to leave space for the answers below the questions—creating a worksheet, if you will.
Ask your questions, takes notes when the doctor responds and ask your doctor for a written handout or summary at the end of the visit.
A good doctor will not be offended by your questions, but will welcome your partnership in your child's care. If your questions are met with resistance, perhaps there has been a mismatch between you and the doctor. Consider finding a new pediatrician.
For a phone call
Before you call make sure you have all these things at the ready: your child near the phone to clarify any questions, your child’s temperature (if ill), any medications she has been given and your pharmacy’s phone number. If you have specific questions, write them down ahead of time, so that none are forgotten and a follow-up call required.
Email
More and more pediatricians have secure messaging systems where you can directly communicate with your doctor via email or the Internet.
Ask your doctor if this service is offered, and what kinds of advice can be sent through secure email, such as prescription refills, health advice, lab results, appointment requests, etc.
The same communication rules apply—have a goal for the communication, jot down your notes before you compose the email message, and re-read it after you’ve written it and before you hit send. Sometimes brains get ahead of fingers and email messages are difficult to understand. If in doubt, clarify.
When is a parent asking too many questions of their pediatrician?
There aren't "too many questions" or any "wrong questions," but there may be times that your pediatrician cannot address all of the questions in one visit. If so, he or she will help you schedule a return visit or may provide you with additional resources that may address your questions, such as handouts or web resources. You may also be asked to speak with a nurse. If your doctor makes you feel as if you are asking too many questions, you may want to reconsider your relationship with your doctor - it may be time to switch to someone with whom you are more comfortable.
When to call your pediatrician versus, when can it wait until the morning?
Ask your doctor his/her preferences as to whom you should call and for what issues. However, if at any time you think your child has a life threatening emergency do not hesitate to take him directly to the nearest emergency room to be evaluated.
Marla Law Abrolat, M.D., FAAP, is a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician
