At what age did you switch your child...

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by justhat
. 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.

My DH IS an INTERNIST! And I agree with you completely. Kids and teens should see a pediatrician if at all possible.

 

[N.Bailey]

My kids are 12 & 13 and I've given a little thought to this from time to time. I am just so happy with our pediatricians that I don't want to change their doctors. Their office is in the hospital and one or the other is usually in the hospital at all times of the day. If we have an emergency (not life threatening) I will give their office a call or the switchboard who will page them. They've seen us as late as midnight too. If I call with a problem that either of my children is experiencing, they will see them that day no matter how long they have to stay, but mostly they'll squeeze you in sometime during the day if they can. Having them available like they are is peace of mind for us. They are both fantastic doctors for the most part, one could have a little better people skills(dealing with adults, he gets along quite well with the kids), but his qualifications are not in question at all. I think we'll continue with them until a time comes when my children start complaining about feeling uncomfortable there, or possibly when they get a bit older. I see kids of all ages in the waiting room, so for now, we're all still happy with our choice. These doctor's have been my kids doctors since the moment they were born (they are also the hospital pediatricians for the maternity ward) and I just they know my kids history better than another doctor would too. With all the kids they see, they remember them all too and call them out by name if they see them anywhere.

I just don't think we can get all this in a family doctor. I know my doctor doesn't compare to theirs.

 

[carole88]

My DH has just finished his pediatric residency and sees kids through college age. I agree with justhat and DawnCT1. Kids should see a doctor that specializes in kids and all of the issues that kids face. People should also realize that there is difference between a GP and a Family Doctor. The Family Doctor has more training with kids.

justhat - I was also married to my DH during his medical school training. Hang in there! The last few years of medical school and residency go fast!

 

[justhat]

carole88, that's good to know. Tonight's my husband's first night on call, meaning my first night alone with my 4 month old, trying desparately to get her to sleep through the night! Or at least just sleep more than 45 minutes at a time.

 

[KimRaye]

A timely question for me, as my 16-1/2yo HAS to have an appt. with his Ped. to refill his allergy 'scrip. I told him that I think this will be his last trip to a PED'S office. He doesn't really care about the office, or the title, he's only concerned about getting his 'scrip refilled. Both my kids have been healthy the past several years, nothing more than a phone call, phoned-in 'scrip, etc., therefore not needing any changes. I think DS is approaching a GP age tho. Trouble is, I don't have one myself. I'll be asking the PED for a recommendation.

 

[philaround]

Originally posted by 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.

I agree. Many of today's pediatricians are trained and educated to take care of children right thru puberty as many Doctors of Internal Medicine [doctors for adults] will not take on a new patient much younger than 16.

I think this makes a lot of sense. The changes that we all must go thru from about 10yo till at least 16yo are dramatic, and to many embarassing. Having to also suddenly change the type of medical professional who cares for you can be traumatizing to more sensitive child.

As I understand the OP's post, for some reason the whole family needs to change medical provider. I would strongly suggest that you look for a specilalist in adolescent medicine for your child as opposed to one who is primarily a doctor for adults. If this means that your child's doctor is still primarily a Pediatrician, so be it.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Thanks, philaround! Yes, we moved to a different state recently. So new docs all around. Hate going through the process of finding ones I'm happy with. I knew the good ones where I was previously since I worked in the hospital 8 years. Don't have that advantage now.

 

[Lewski709]

Again, my kids go to a MD and it's fine. He has young children and he sees other children. He is 'up' on all the info as the peds.

There is NOTHING wrong with them going to a MD.

It's all about who you are comfortable with and I am totally comfortable with our MD. He is our age and will be there for my kids for the long haul.

He may not specialize in seeing children, but that doesn't mean the care my children are getting is any less that what they would get from a pediatrician. My DR specializes in providing care to all people.

The ONLY difference with him is the hours. Peds have extended hrs and weekends.

I am not saying any MD will do, you just have to search and find what works best for YOU!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Both DD's 7 & 13 and have health issues to keep a close eye on. I will keep them with same pediatrician for as long as I can.

 

[Blondie]

Our (female) pediatrician will continue to see our kids until they are 21!

I've asked my boys if they want to switch now that they are 13 and 14 and might be a bit uncomfortable with a female MD, and they said no! They want to stay with her! So that's what we are going to do.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Lewski709
Again, my kids go to a MD and it's fine. He has young children and he sees other children. He is 'up' on all the info as the peds.

There is NOTHING wrong with them going to a MD.

It's all about who you are comfortable with and I am totally comfortable with our MD. He is our age and will be there for my kids for the long haul.

I agree.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by The Mystery Machine
Both DD's 7 & 13 and have health issues to keep a close eye on. I will keep them with same pediatrician for as long as I can.

That's true. If I were still in FL, I'd be keeping DS with the pediatrician he's had since birth! I wouldn't switch for anything. However, the endocrinologist he had left MUCH to be desired...it just takes one mess-up by office staff. The docs themselves were great. But when we were moving and I called all the docs for scripts to take with me, I called their office twice and NEVER got a return call. Unfortunately, never got scripts from them!! Ended up in their nurse's voice mail both times. Never had a call back. Never had an office that had a recorder go on from the initial call and give you a choice of different voice mail boxes to be forwarded to...no matter what time of day I called!

 

[Mercy]

Where we go, they told me that when my son turned 16 they told me that he would need to switch over to a GP. I almost cried, I love our Pediatrician. My younger DS still goes to him though.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

My pediatrician had a seperate waiting room for adolescents.

 

[Nancy]

My girls (11, 14 and 16) still go to the Ped. probably will until 18. We have a good relationship with her and the staff, the kids are comfortable there and at this age it is very important that they have someone they can "talk" to. I go to a family practice....they are wonderful so they will also go there when the time is right. Luckily they have female docs there because I can't see my girls seeing a male (especially the 14 yr old, she is such a private person)...even though all my docs are and DH has a female is his comfortable with.

If you are looking for docs...ask around work and see who is recommended...finding docs is tough.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I know I was switched at 7, but our family doctor was my dad's best friend so that helped. Now I have no plans on switching my kids to our GP. They are now 12,9 and 6. The oldest DD just had a checkup in March and they discussed puberty issues. I can't imagine her discussing that with my older man GP instead of her female ped.
It is also easier to get an appt. for them--I've had days that I can't get in to see my doctor or anyone at that practice for 2-3 days. They have 6 peds there so in a pinch I can get them in that day if I have to. It's also easier for me to have all 3 kids at one doctor's office--where they have been since DD#1 was born.
Robin M.

 

[disneyluvers]

My oldest is 12 and still goes to the Ped. office. That seems to suit us because like others have posted there seems to be better availability with pediatricians than GPs.

I don't know if there is much difference between the two if your just talking for routine exams, forms being filled out and dispensing scripts for already diagnosed concerns..(i.e. asthma, allergies, etc.) for your teen. I'm sure any GP in your area would be able like ours to refer a patient to other specialized Drs should the need arise.

 

[aprincessmom]

DD has always had a GP and we've had no trouble. It's been great to have a doctor who knows the entire family history. He's a great doctor...receptive to me and DD, never getting that "I know better than you because I'm a doctor and you're just her mother" attitude, and always available to speak with day or night or weekends.

I think it's more important to have a primary doctor you and your son can trust and feel comfortable with than worrying about whether he's a pediatrician or GP at this point.

 

[my3kids]

Justthat and dawnct1: There is a difference between an internest and a family practicioner. Family practice doctors are trained and skilled in all areas of care for all members of the family. I don't take my children to an internist, I take them to a family physician. They have a good bit more than a month or two of training in child care. In some areas, the family practice physician is also the doctor who delivers one's children.

http://www.aafp.org/x6809.xml

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

My DDs are almost 16 and 14, and my DS is 11. The girls see a female pediatrician, and my DS sees a male pediatrician in the same group. They are both WONDERFUL doctors, and honestly, it never occurred to me to think about switching. At their next appts, I'll have to ask what age they take patients until. I know my friend's pediatrician took "kids" until their 19th birthday.