The Extent To Which Pediatric Care Extends: Helpful Knowledge For New Parents
As a new parent, you will need to find a pediatrician who will provide specialized medical care for your child in the present and coming years. You may also have several questions about how long a kid should see a pediatrician before seeing a family doctor or general physician. Here is some helpful knowledge regarding pediatric and infant care to store away for the future.
Babies and Toddlers Should Always See a Pediatrician
Babies and toddlers have very specific medical care needs that can only be properly met by a pediatrician. Ergo, your baby should always be seen by the pediatrician you have chosen, unless your baby or toddler is in need of emergency care. In those rare instances where emergency care is needed, you can take your baby or toddler to the emergency room without needing any permission or referrals from the pediatrician. Follow-up care, however, should always be with the pediatrician.
Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School Children May Occasionally See a GP
Preschool, elementary, and middle school children do not have as many special healthcare needs as babies and toddlers. If your child in any of these ages and stages of development are not feeling well and can describe what they are feeling, and you cannot get an appointment with the pediatrician, then you can take your child to a family doctor or general physician. If your child's pediatrician does not keep late night, early morning, or weekend hours, then you can take your child for minor health issues to a family doctor as well.
Adolescents
At this stage of life, your teen may see the pediatrician if he/she is still comfortable seeing the pediatrician. Some adolescents are really uncomfortable with seeing the pediatrician at this age, which is why your child may ask to begin seeing "a big person's doctor." The pediatrician will be fine with that, and may even suggest a family doctor or general physician to transfer to for ongoing healthcare needs. Since an adolescent is almost an adult, this is quite a normal time to transition from the "baby doctor" to an "adult doctor."
Young Adults (18-21)
Some young adults still see a pediatrician because they are so comfortable with the doctor that has cared for them for the last two decades. While most pediatricians are fine with seeing their young adult patients, they do encourage these patients to find a new doctor and move on. Some final development with the brain and body are still happening, but they are not anything that a family doctor or GP cannot handle.
To learn more, visit websites like http://www.bfpclinic.com.
