Doctors for teens

[tcufrog]

I just found out that our beloved pediatrician is retiring. We interviewed him when I was pregnant and we instantly knew he would be our pediatrician. My older son is 16. Should I take him to a new pediatrician or switch him to an internist?

 

[nw6675]

At this point, just a regular family doctor (GP, family med, internist) and not a pediatrician. Although, he would be the only one under 50 at my internist.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Some internists won't see anyone under 18, and mostly older adults see them. A family medicine doctor would be most appropriate IMO.

 

[slo]

My DD20 started seeing our family doctor at that age - it worked out great.
Good luck with whatever you choose

 

[tvguy]

Some internists won't see anyone under 18, and mostly older adults see them. A family medicine doctor would be most appropriate IMO.

Either would work. Our pediatrician referred his patients to Internists and he phased patients out at about age 12 although his office staff said he would retain patients until age 16 in certain circumstances.

 

[barkley]

i would go with a non pediatrician just b/c you will end up having to start looking for another doctor in another couple of years. our md retired before the pandemic and it was HARD to find doctors taking new patients then-now with the droves of doctors retiring/leaving practices in our area it can be months and months on end on a wait list.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’d say family doctor. My 3 daughters started seeing a gynecologist at 16, and a family doctor around 18. My 25 year old son JUST left the pediatrician, they prescribed his adhd meds every 3 months and he kept forgetting to switch. I would’ve loved to see him in that waiting room, 6’1”, 220, beard.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'll play devil's advocate: as he is your eldest child, if he will likely be leaving home for college, you could just take him to whatever new pediatrician you choose for your younger children, if that doctor includes patients up to age 18 (which mine does), and if your son is OK with that. He'll probably use the university health service from 18-22, and choose his own internist when he finishes college. (Given the choice between a waiting room full of kids and one full of old people, mine would choose the kids.)

I find that it differs from place to place, but around here, "family medicine" practices are rather rare, so I was never able to use that option. DH and I don't see the same internist, either, as we have different insurance policies; I carry the kids, and he has his own company plan.

PS: I have a boy and a girl, and while they both saw a male doctor as small kids, once my daughter (the younger one, 16) reached puberty she asked to switch to one of the female pediatricians in the same practice whom she had seen a few times over the years for sick visits. It isn't that she doesn't like or trust her original doc; she still sees him if her regular pediatrician isn't available for sick visits, but she prefers talking to a woman for her physicals and all of the accompanying discussions of sexuality and mental health issues. She does regularly see other doctors who are male.

 

[RangerPooh]

Two weeks ago we were informed that our pediatrician's office is closing due to both doctors retiring. I need to locate a new pediatrician for our boys ages 12 and 13, and possibly. I too am debating if I should switch our 17 yo daughter to my GP or to the new pediatrician? Our last ped said that they had no problem seeing kids until 20 as they were still growing.

Our 18-year-old daughter who attends college 6 hours away was still seeing our ped and is freaking out about having to find a new doctor. University Health at her college isn't great. Parents are regularly asking about other options close to campus due to bad experiences or lack of access after hours or on weekends, or long waits to be seen.

 

[barkley]

I'll play devil's advocate: as he is your eldest child, if he will likely be leaving home for college, you could just take him to whatever new pediatrician you choose for your younger children, if that doctor includes patients up to age 18 (which mine does), and if your son is OK with that. He'll probably use the university health service from 18-22,

parents (on behalf of their soon to be college students) realy need to research what if any medical coverage individual universities offer. my oldest graduated in 2018 and since that time the coverage has dramatically declined-

the contract covers one appointment per quarter/two appointments per semester,
it covers some of your students basic health needs, including wellness exams, some labwork, and some immunizations.

the university website (for the one my oldest graduated from) states-

Please be aware that medical emergencies (such as hospital, emergency rooms, ambulance, or surgical procedures) are NOT covered by the student health fee. If you student is without insurance, we strongly recommend that you obtain coverage with at least a minimum benefit to cover emergency services.

the scary thing is how expensive it can get if your student attends out of state b/c most employer sponsored plans require all family members to be on the same plan and finding one that allows for providers near your home as well as ones in another state for other than (per their criteria) emergent treatment is darn near impossible. people can seek out options on the exchange but they are expensive AND tend not to have great flexibility on bouncing between plans (for those periods of time when the student is back home).

Our 18-year-old daughter who attends college 6 hours away was still seeing our ped and is freaking out about having to find a new doctor. University Health at her college isn't great. Parents are regularly asking about other options close to campus due to bad experiences or lack of access after hours or on weekends, or long waits to be seen.

i feel so bad for the students at the U nearest us-they only have one location they can go to which used to be open evenings and weekends but now closes at 5:30 and has limited saturday hours. i happen to use the pharmacy that's closest to campus and i constantly overhear the staff trying to assist students with scrips-seems like the ones with coverage from out of state (and never established with providers here) run into problems b/c the doctors are not licensed to write scrips in our state. even the students with in state coverage have to deal with finding a pharmacy that contracts with their coverage (there are very popular plans on the west side of the state that have not established here so no preferred providers, limited if any pharmacy options).

 

[mom2rtk]

Check with the pediatrician's office. Ours saw my daughter until she graduated college. Since she's healthy and doesn't have a lot of complicated things going on, it worked out fine.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We've opted to keep ours with a pediatrician for as long as possible. We moved several years ago and had to change doctors but opted for the same pediatric firm (vs. switching to family practice/GP) as it allows them to move throughout the system more easily if they need specialty care. It's been especially helpful with broken bones, urgent care, or more unique injuries/issues. We've found the pediatric facilities seem to have more options to work patients in sooner with less waiting, so it's been worth it in most cases.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Two weeks ago we were informed that our pediatrician's office is closing due to both doctors retiring. I need to locate a new pediatrician for our boys ages 12 and 13, and possibly. I too am debating if I should switch our 17 yo daughter to my GP or to the new pediatrician? Our last ped said that they had no problem seeing kids until 20 as they were still growing.

Our 18-year-old daughter who attends college 6 hours away was still seeing our ped and is freaking out about having to find a new doctor. University Health at her college isn't great. Parents are regularly asking about other options close to campus due to bad experiences or lack of access after hours or on weekends, or long waits to be seen.

I would probably try to get the girls in with my GP.

Check with the pediatrician's office. Ours saw my daughter until she graduated college. Since she's healthy and doesn't have a lot of complicated things going on, it worked out fine.

Same here. DS's pediatrician kept them through college, so they wouldn't have to change doctors twice if they moved after graduation.