5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Pediatrician

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  Posted by miss my family Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:24pm PDT

  Try "is he going to just pump my kids full of medication every time there's a problem or is he going to actually try to find alternatives and only use medication if all else fails." Some doctors the minute you say you have an issue they want to medicate while others suggest natural ways and wait to see if it is fixed. I'm not opposed to kids having medicine when they need it but some doctors are continually sending kids home with prescriptions when there parents says "my child has a small rash that's been on his stomach for a few days" instead of trying something normal. That irritates me. Save the meds until other more natural ways fail. I find it funny how so many people are insistent on "going green" and yet don't look for natural ways to remedy an illness before resorting to medication.

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  Posted by Dianna D Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:50am PDT

  "miss my family" I 100% agree with you... people b---- about eco-friendly products but they never think about the things that are pumped into our children... or what are kids are eating. which may have been the cause for those silly little rashes... I had a an old friend that always brought her son to the doctors which always gave them antibiotics and all sorts of other meds... I advised her to simply put baby powder on her son after baths and every changing or on humid days and what do you know... the rashes went away after 4 days and never once came back! guess what I didn't need 10 years of schooling for that! lol

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  Posted by Kikki Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:52pm PDT

  It's a no win situation. If you don't think the kids needs medication get a second opinion from another DOCTOR. Doctor's jobs are hard, sometimes they are wrong most the time they are right. I had a small rash on my stomach and it turned out to be cancer, guess I'm glad he didn't tell me to use baby powder and it would go away.

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  Posted by miss my family Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:49pm PDT

  I agree with dianna. My sister had a similar story with her baby daughter and the doctor INSTANTLY forked out medicine. As soon as she started saying what was going on. She didn't use it she talked to a woman she knows that knows normal cures that they used to use in the old days and the baby was fine.

  and kikki you have to make sure the doctor isn't "too busy" or "too stressed" to do his job. Yes the job is hard but it's a very important one and needs to be taken seriously. If they can't take it they need to stop doing it. Not use medication for something simple. And I guarantee you that most of these kids don't have cancer. The doctor just wants to get them in and out. Out of their way so they can move on to the next. So whatever it takes to shut the parent up is what they'll do.

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  Posted by DizzyEmu Thu Oct 1, 2009 11:45pm PDT

  Well the important thing is to find a doc whose philosophy matches yours. Some parents are into homeopathic remedies while others like the brand of drugs they are familiar with. Neither is wrong exactly but the point is to make sure your parenting philosophies match the doctors or you are bound to be annoyed. I had one doc who guilt tripped me for giving my son formula and another who always had his prescription pad handy. Both had their good points but we eventually found a doc who fell somewhere in the middle.

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  Posted by Alexi_Smith Sat Oct 3, 2009 3:30pm PDT

  How About this one.....What do you do when there are only three family doctors in your area... one is the state welfare clinic, one is a one stop emergency shop and the third is for the underprivelleged minorities.... oh yeah and we're well insured, don't need welfare and would LOVE a decent doctor with a clean waiting room without having to drive 1 hour or more to get there..... Is it too much to ask that we can get an appointment somewhere that doesnt want to know why we aren't on WIC and if we can wait a month.... Not my child... before i ask all the other questions about making this imprtant choice i need to find someone to have the conversation with

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  Posted by doyle Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:18am PDT

  Hey Alexi, Move out of the Ghetto.

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  Posted by Dana Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:08am PDT

  As a physician and a mom of two toddelrs, I am always cautious when responding to such criticism of doctors and medical professionals. If you are not interested in traditional medicine ( antibiotics, etc..) find a holistic practitioner. Please do not expect your pediatrician to be something he or she is not. If you refuse treament you have the right to sue for a bad outcome even if you did not follow the doctor's advise. Many rashes today may be serious such as MRSA and do require antibitiocs. Please be respectful of your pediatrician's time. If he or she is working your child into a busy schedule to look at a rash, do not expcet 30 minutes with the doctor. Most physicians can diagnose a rash in just a few minutes. YOur regularly scheduled annual wellness checks are a different story, You should know how much face to face time you will have with the doctor, so that you may be prepared to your visit.

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  Posted by miss my family Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:50pm PDT

  It's hard to "respectful" of a pediatrician when the first thing they do whenever you say anything is offer you medicine rather than actually trying something else. I shouldn't have to bow down and praise a doctor for taking them time to see little me when I'm paying them.

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  Posted by Heidi Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:05pm PDT

  I'm a pediatrician, and most of the time I feel like parents are disappointed when they don't walk out with a prescription. It's nice to hear there are many parents who don't expect them. Unfortunately, that isn't the norm. I'm open to alternative medicine as long as it isn't harmful. For example, the majority of supplements aren't regulated by the FDA and are therefore potentially unsafe. Also, not treating some infections could be dangerous. It's important to be happy with your doctor, and if they don't take time to listen to your concerns then you have the right to change doctors.

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