At what age did you switch your child...

[Pin Wizard]

from a pediatrician to a GP or family doc? I'll be hunting for new docs for me and DS...if I can ever find an insurance company to cover us!!!! (Ahh...better get to some serious job hunting for this reason alone.) I'm wondering if I should even bother with a pediatrician since DS is 11. I know at the hospital I worked at in FL, there was discussion of pediatricians extending the age up to 20! I'm sorry, but I have problems even considering a mid-teen year to be a pediatrician's territory. Just curious.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think around that age, Sandy, for Natalie and Vince both. Hope all is going well.

 

[jennyanydots]

Many pediatricians are now specialists in both pediatric and adolescent medicine. You might be more comfortable with someone like that than with an "adult" doctor.

 

[Michelemouse]

My kids have never gone to a pediatrician. All four of us go to the same Family Practice office. There is a male doctor who sees DH and DS and a female doctor who sees DD and me.

 

[Keli]

We switched Ashli when she was about 12 years old. It wasn't that we thought she was too old for a ped. though, it was because we wanted the whole family to have one dr. (gen. pract.)

 

[SeaSpray]

DSs are now 16 and 13, and I recently asked at our pediatrician's office how old their patients go up to. The nurse there told me "through the college years". So basically, until around age 22 or so. I think in a few more years I may switch DSs over to DH's and my doctor, but only because we REALLY like our doctor. I love our pediatrician as well, but it is a bit strange to be there with all the babies and toddlers. lol Maybe in about 3 years or so, when they're 19 and 16. I'm not sure..... but if there comes a point where DSs are not comfortable with their doctor anymore, I'd switch them. Although....he's the only doctor they really know, so I don't think they'd be uncomfortable with *him*, just maybe uncomfortable with the idea of a pediatrician's office.

 

[CEDmom]

Our DD has always gone to a GP although ours did practice Peds for 10 years. We just love him and his staff so we couldn't imagine having anyone else take care her. However, I went to a ped until I left home for college.

 

[Lewski709]

Same with Michelemouse. My kids have never gone to a pediatrician at all! I find that my MD is extremely sensitive and cautious to my children and not overlooking things I feel a pediatrician, IMO, sometimes may. He has young children (5 and under) too. We all see the same male MD and it has worked great for us. No complaints about him, but the hours are not as great as they are for Peds. Peds usually have extended hrs and weekend hrs.

 

[mom2boys]

Our boys - ages 9 & 10 - see a wonderful pediatrician. They have been with him since youngest was 18 months and was not treated well by another "pediatrician". This man had such a way with kids. However, he is approaching retirement and we fear that one day, he won't be there anymore. At that time, we will switch our boys to a GP. Assuming DH & I have found a decent GP by then - can't stand the mills that seem to dominate our area.

 

[DawnCt1]

Personally, I think it is appropriate to continue with the pediatrician through high school or until such time as the child/teen says he no longer wants to see a pediatrician. For many children, the pediatrician is the doctor who they know best and visa versa. They have had years to develop a relationship with him and are more likely to address personal and health concerns with a physician that they are comfortable with. Pediatrics isn't just the care of children but of adolescence. In our society, adolescence is indeed a protracted period of time, so I would consider carefully before putting my child or teen in the care of a physician whose expertise and interests primarily lies in adult medicine; speaking as a mom whose DH is an (adult) internist and infectious disease specialist. P.S. Next time, could you put your entire question in the subject line rather than just the introduction.

 

[LadyBears]

I agree with DawnCt1.

My DD is almost 5, but her pedi office sees a LOT of teenagers. The teens are very comfortable with the Docs so they are not afraid to discuss their feelings/changes/questions, etc. with them.
I think this is best especially for girls. When they are ready for their first "girl exams", they already know the doctor(s) & will be a LOT more comfortable having those exams done. I know as a parent, I will also be more comfortable knowing that someone I already have grown to trust will be taking care of my DD. After all, when she is ready for her "girl exams", it's not like I will be in the room with her!

My pedi's office has set times for different age groups, but will sneak in emergency cases whenever there is a slot available.
They keep newborn "well" visits away from the "sick kid" visits, they group the teens together so they don't feel like they are just at a "baby" doctor, etc.

I plan on keeping my DD with them until SHE is ready to go to an "adult" doctor.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I havent switched them yet, but my 16 yo ds says, mom I dont want to go into the blues clues room. I think that is a hint. But he has known that dr. for the last 10 years. I can always get a same day appt.unlike my own family dr. That is probably the one reason I am holding back. On reg. pediatricians day off when there is an emergency I have taken him to the urgent care center.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by luvmarypoppins
Well I havent switched them yet, but my 16 yo ds says, mom I dont want to go into the blues clues room. I think that is a hint. But he has known that dr. for the last 10 years. I can always get a same day appt.unlike my own family dr. That is probably the one reason I am holding back. On reg. pediatricians day off when there is an emergency I have taken him to the urgent care center.

You may want to mention to the doctor that it might be a good idea to redecorate one exam room for the teens. It doesn't have to have a teen theme but just a neutral one. Our peds had the usual kiddie decor in all of the room except one, which was tastefully done in neutral colors.

 

[NHAnn]

My DD continues to go to the pediatric practice I have used since her birth. She was one of the very first patients to sign on with this female doctor when she joined the ractice right before DD was born, almost 18 years ago. This female physician has a strong interest and background in adolescent medicine, and a great relationship with my DD...DD plans to keep seeing her through her college years...says they'll have to "kick her out" when the time comes

 

[pw2pp]

DD went last year (at age 15) and DS just went last week (at age 14) to a Family Practice Physician. Now our whole family goes to the same Doctor.

 

[sk!mom]

I switched my DS at 14 because my ped. retired and it seemed sensible to find him a G.P. at that point if he was going to get used to a new doc. anyway. We had used the same ped. since he was born. At that time, I found a new female ped. for my DD then 3- now 8. I haven't really thought of what age is right for switching. I will probably ask her ped. as she gets older (teenager-maybe?).

 

[Snowysmom]

My Kids' pediatrician sees kids until they graduate from college. I really like our pediatrician and since older DS has some heatlh issues and boys can grow until they are 21 (my 18 year old grew an inch in 6 months) I feel comfortable with him still seeing the pediatrician. When the time comes to change to an internist, DS will ask for a referral from the pediatrician. He has been really good with other referrals.

 

[my3kids]

Family doctor for all of us here.

When I was a child, my mom switched me from a pediatrician to a family doctor about age 11.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Thanks, everyone! I absolutely LOVE DS's pediatrician we had. Wish I could pack him up and move him here with us!! When I was a kid, my parents always took me to their GP. But you're right regarding the hours...a BIG deal to me! I like evening and Sat. hours being available!! I had taken DS to an urgent care center here for his school physical. He seemed okay with the doc he saw there, so I'm sure that's what planted making a switch.

 

[justhat]

My husband is a 3rd year medical student currently doing his pediatrics rotation at Children's National Medical Center in DC and he sees kids up through age 21. In fact he has a 4 week rotation in an adolescent clinic, which covers all sorts of problems teens face, from psychiatric to gynecological to 'regular internal medicine'. While this is good training for teens, if he decides not to go into pediatrics, but rather internal medicine, it will be the only training he'll have with kids and adolescents. In my opinion as a child psychologist and mother of a 4 month old, it's not enough. I'd rather take my daughter to a pediatrician who has to spend another 2 month rotation in medical school in pediatrics and then another 3 year minimum in a pediatrics residency. I know a lot of good internists and I'm not saying anything is wrhong with taking your child to an internist rather than a pediatrician, but if you're deciding between the 2, I'd go with the pediatrician.