my3kids, I know there is a difference between and internist and a family dr, but the OP asked about both family drs and GPs compared to pediatricians. Like I said, even going to a GP is fine for a child, however if I am given the option to choose between the 3 (assuming they are both qualified physicians), I would pick the pediatrician since they have much more training with kids. Pediatricians specialize in children/adolescents, presumably have a strong interest in them, and do a residency only working with children. I'm not saying that other doctors aren't qualified and that kids shouldn't go to them, but since the OP asked if she should bother with a pediatrician since her son is 11, my opinion is that yes, she should, since they specialize in kids and only see kids everyday, which a GP or family dr also sees adults and didn't do a residency with just kids, etc. To me it's no different than going to and ENT for my sinus surgery, an orthopedic surgeon for my husband's knee problems, and oncologist for my mother's breast cancer, etc. Each of those drs specialize in the areas mentioned, like my daughter's pediatrician specializes in children's issues.
