A pediatrician is someone who specializes in the care of infants and children. A pediatrician provides medical services to a child from birth up to the age of 18. Pediatricians help patients with many different health conditions, ranging from ear infections and ADHD to diabetes and asthma.
Pediatric physicians have an excellent understanding of how children grow and develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Because of this, they can manage the needs of their patients at every stage of development. Here are seven things that make a good pediatrician:
1. Has a Good Personality
Good pediatricians are easy to talk to, friendly, and caring. They listen carefully, ask questions and make sure that you understand everything they say. If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s health or development, they will answer these for you in an understandable way. A good pediatrician will also be sensitive to any issues that might interfere with the ability of your child to attend routine appointments, such as transportation difficulties, childcare problems, or work schedules.
2. Has Knowledge About the Latest Developments in Medicine
The field of pediatrics is constantly advancing with new ideas and research into how children grow and develop and what their best interests are. Good pediatric doctors keep up to date by reading journals and attending conferences regularly. They also network with each other to share ideas and information. A pediatrician who keeps up to date will be able to not only provide state-of-the-art care for your child but explain it all to you in an easy way.
3. Gets Along Well with Children and Other Health Care Professionals
Good pediatricians understand that their role is to manage medical problems and support parents through what can be difficult times in their child’s life. A good pediatric doctor will consider the child’s age when talking and listen carefully to how they feel about having a condition or undergoing treatment. Good pediatric doctors can also build good relationships with all of the people who work with your children, such as teachers, therapists, and specialists so that everyone involved understands what is going on and supports your child throughout their treatment program. They also know when it is important to bring in other specialists when needed.
4. Will Give You Straight Talk
The best pediatric doctors want parents to take an active role in helping their children get better, learn new skills, and grow up happy and healthy. They give parents information that they can use daily without being technical or using too much jargon.
5. Makes Sure Follow-up Is Done
A good pediatric doctor will provide you with clear instructions about what to do when at home, who to contact if there are any problems and how often you should contact them. For example, some doctors may ask a parent to call the office in-between visits for advice. As well as this, they need to check that tests have been done by specialists or medications refills have been ordered so that your child can be treated efficiently and sympathetically.
6. Will Make Sure Treatment Is Easy for Your Child and Family
Good pediatricians take time at each visit and, before starting a care program, discuss with parents how it may affect their child’s daily routine – at home and school. They want their patients and their families involved in decisions about treatment programs as much as possible by asking what is important to you and your child.
7. Will Manage the Condition Effectively
Good doctors can reach successful outcomes for their patients through appropriate treatment plans which balance medical needs with family concerns, good social life, and other interests. They will also let children know that it is all right to feel concerned about a health problem or the prescribed treatment option.
Pediatric doctors who care about their patients are those who do even more than just give medical advice. They sit down with you and provide reassurance and empathize with your worry about the health of your child and support you all the way. At Pediatrix Phoenix, we have physicians that really care about your children and will take the best possible care of them every step of the way.