San Diego pediatricians are busy professionals, but it is important that you communicate with them so that they can understand your child’s history. Here are some tips that will help you out:
Be Smart on the Phone
If you have a question that does not require a visit to the doctor’s office, then you should know how to contact them. Certain doctors provide their patients with emergency phone numbers to ask them about things like minor illnesses, medications, and behavioral issues in the child. On the other hand, some doctors prefer giving their email addresses.
If your child has any of the following symptoms then request the staff to connect you to doctor right away.
- Sore throat that causes difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite for more than two days
- High temperature
- Diarrhea and vomiting that persists for a day
- Rash accompanied with fever
- Inability to move a limb
- Sharp pain in the abdomen
- Ear pain
- Cuts that might need stitches
- Fever and vomiting at the same time
- Constipation for more than two days
Before the call, write down all the questions and take your child’s temperature. Be thorough when explaining the symptoms, and let the doctor know if you have given the child any medicines. Keep a notepad and pen with you in case they have some instructions for you.
Stay Focused
Write down your questions and concerns before visiting the doctor’s office, so that you don’t miss out anything. Sometimes the doctor might ask you for a separate appointment to address all the concerns. It may be possible that you want to the doctor for a viral infection, but they ask you to re-visit to evaluate a potential speech problem.
Communicate Well
Let the doctor know if the child is going through a hard time, like a death in the family, or a divorce. Your child’s psychological development is as important as their physical development. If the child seems troubled, then the pediatrician might refer you to a child psychologist.
Be Realistic
Have realistic expectations, and don’t expect that your child will start feeling better after the first visit, or after the first dose of medicine. Remember that doctors are human beings, and that every treatment takes time. You should trust your pediatrician’s judgment and should follow their advice.
Be Thorough
Make sure that you completely understand all the instructions before leaving the doctor’s office. If you don’t understand anything, then ask the pediatrician to explain it in simpler terms. Furthermore, let the doctor know if a medicine is not working for your child.
Be Honest
You need to give an honest feedback to the doctor about the whole visit. Let them know if the staff was rude to you, or if you want more information about a specific treatment. A good pediatrician will provide the best care for your child.
These tips will help you out when communicating with San Diego pediatricians. Good luck! Get more information here.
