What age to stop seeing a pediatrician?
Just curious, at what age do kids/teens/young adults stop seeing a pediatrician and start seeing a general practioner/family doctor?
I changed my son over to a GP when he was, gee, 10 or 11. Maybe younger. I didn't feel that there was anything a pediatrician would do better/differently for him than a GP. He also started going alone to his appointments two years ago (at 16 when he could drive) unless I was needed to authorize something and couldn't do it over the phone. He handles his own prescriptions, etc. Personally I feel this is necessary so when he's on his own he knows how to do this stuff.
On the other side of the fence OSS will be 18 in two months and still sees a pediatrician, and BM goes with him (same for YSS).
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Family doctors are trained in
Family doctors are trained in both pediatrics and general internal medicine, so they basically are pediatricians. There is no shame in staying with a pediatrician until you are 18, some even until 21. Why change doctors if they know you?
BM shouldn't be going in the doctor's office with him, but I see no harm in her driving him. Honestly - this seems all pretty normal to me.
Thanks, I was just checking
I didn't know if that was regular or not. My parents took us out of "peds" and to regular doctors at about the same age as I did my son so I was curious if that was the norm, or even if that was out of the ordinary.
I also noticed when I had to take my son to the ER that they put him (at 17) in the peds area. He was none to pleased but I was happy. There was no one else in there and we got seen right away.
Yeah, most EDs have peds
Yeah, most EDs have peds areas, so they can have pediatricians see the kids. It's typical up until 18 at least to be in a peds ED.
I'm not sure why your son would care, the idea is that they have doctors trained in pediatrics that can help children and adolescents. Pediatricians aren't just "baby doctors", they are trained in adolescent medicine as well. I think you taking him from the pediatrician made him think they just see babies, but that's not accurate.
My son has always been "older"
He has always acted "older" than his chronological age and it morphed into his assumption he was at a maturity level beyond his years...which means he felt he was more an adult than a child at 17 and thus offended he got stuck with "the kids." It doesn't help that he was tall for his age, is more reserved, hit puberty early, and his voice is low like James Earl Jones (so mistakenly is assumed older because of it all).
I didn't say anything about him not being a baby anymore when I moved him from the pediatrician. We changed insurance and it was convenient to have him go to a GP since the peds were in a totally separate location.
Dh said something to BM
When he found out she was still going in with OSS at 16. I think part of the reason he said something was the surprised look on the faces of teens and adults around him when OSS mentioned that tidbit in a group conversation.
I guess it is personal
I guess it is personal preference.
But I will also add my local hospital has a separate "pediatric" ER. All persons 21 years and younger have to go to the peds side. Also my internist/GP will not see anyone under the age of 19.
I don't think going to a ped at 18 is way out of the realm of normal... but he should be switching soon. Also... kinda weird with mom in there unless something major.
I'm a Military brat and saw a
I'm a Military brat and saw a Ped doctor until I was 18.
Where I grew up there was 1
Where I grew up there was 1 doctor and that was it. My mother went with me becuase I wanted her too. I HATED the doctor and felt he never listened to me becuase of my age. As a teen was having trouble breathing and he tried saying I was faking. Thankfully my mom demanded an xray becuase I had pneumonia. Another time she took me in after I sneezed orange and green snot. Again he tried claiming nothing was wrong.
Where I live now is much larger and anyone younger 18 is funneled to the pediatricians. It’s just a way to break it down so that no one gets overwhelmed. The worse thing I personally have to deal with is high school students who are over 18. They really don’t fit well in our program but because they are “adults” they can’t be on a teen’s unit. They end up with subpar treatment in my view.
It’s also easier for minors to be treated by pediatricians because the legal responsibilities are different. If the person treating them is used to treating minors they naturally remember the legal barriers they have to work with compared to a “normal” doctor. A “normal” doctor might forget they have to get approval from a guardian like my dentist did when I was about 14.
My kids have always just seen
My kids have always just seen a GP, we did have a few pediatric doctors and from time to time we would take them to see them. Mostly we just stuck with a GP.
As for still going with SS at 18, I guess if she feels SS is incapable of conveying the issues he is being seen for or he is incapable of relaying what his treatments are. But that just shows lack of teaching the kid how to be capable and responsible.
This will definitely be my SD
This will definitely be my SD at 18 and beyond. She isn't expected to do anything as a 13 year old, I doubt much will change in 5 more years.
I started going to appointments alone when I started driving, too. I was also raised by my dad so I think being independent was just imperative and I've always been that way. However, I work in healthcare and have seen 21+ adults bring their parents in.
As far as I'm concerned, if the patient allows anyone in the exam room, it is implied that that person is privy to your personal health info. Like another poster said, maybe SSs can't speak up for themselves, although holding their hands forever surely will do no good.
I never had a pediatrician,
I never had a pediatrician, however it was the early 80's. My family doctor delivered me and cared for me until I was almost 22 years old. I moved away, otherwise I would have been with him until he retired a few years ago.
As for the kids, mine still go (ages 14, 14, and 16) to a pediatrician when needed. They only go for annual checkups; keeping my fingers crossed. I have thought about switching them to my GP, I just haven't done it yet.
The kids
saw their pediatrician until he retired when they were 20, 17, 14 and 12. He was an incredible doctor who was also my husband's pediatrician (until he was 20). And a perfect fit for us. I was sad when he stopped practicing and we have yet to find someone as good (this was three years ago). DS was engaged when he stopped going (the oldest) and his fiance also had some appointments with this pedi. A pediatrician is essentially a family doctor with a specialty so we just stayed with him. He kept patients until they were 23 if they chose and he had room.
The overriding factor in
The overriding factor in choosing between a GP and a paediatrician should be the health of the child. A GP is usually perfectly adequate to treat general health issues in children or adults. If the child has specific health issues it may be preferable to see a paediatrician - and even within the field of paediatrics there are further areas of specialisation.
Here in the UK, paediatrics generally runs to age 16 although people can switch over to their GP earlier. It also depends on where you live and the availability of specialist services. If you live in a remote small town, there may only be a GP service that is convenient.
My son is 13, nearly 14 and still sees a paediatrician - not because of health issues, but because his doctor is very familiar with his health history. So the decision here is a personal choice based on the comfort level I have with his doctor's competency.
See, it's totally different
See, it's totally different in the US. A pediatrician is not a "specialist", per se, most kids are seen by pediatricians. A Family Doctor, or GP, is just someone who is trained in both adult and kid internal medicine. He or she is doing the exact same thing a pediatrician would do.
So a kid might be seen by a pediatrician, or by a GP, it's actually the very same thing.
It's different in the UK for
It's different in the UK for sure. As in you'd be lucky if you can even get an appointment to see your GP. As an example, a few years ago, I had a kidney stone. Went to emergency room (A&E here) and received all of the meds needed. Two weeks later, a UTI started and went right up into my kidney. Called my GP one morning, as I sat shivering with fever and in so much pain. It was suggested that I stand in line outside their doors 15 minutes before they open so I could get an appointment. It was January.
As an American who used to have very good health insurance via working for one of the largest insurance companies in the world....I am less than impressed. I end up paying for Push Doctor, which is basically a Skype call with a certified doc. You have to pay but that concept is familiar to me. I get treatment right away and don't have to fight to see my GP...haven't been there in 2.5 years now.
Don't ever move to the UK and expect good health care.
And even though the American
And even though the American health care system sucks for those who don't have good jobs with good insurance, people fight a single payer plan because they fear it will mean long waits like those in the UK and in Canada. There has to be some middle ground.
Yes, that 15 minute wait is
Yes, that 15 minute wait is just insurmountable...
I wait 45 minutes after my appointment time come and goes just to see a nurse at my GP's office. But 15 minutes is just too much.
You misunderstood me. They
You misunderstood me. They suggested I stand outside 15 minutes before they opened to maybe get an appointment. In tbe freezing cold whilst I was ill with a kidney infection and could barely stand. Would've had to walk there as well.
I tried calling the the day before and was told that they run out of appointments... they'd been open for 8 minutes. Then I called the next morning, no appointments and they'd been opened for 12 minutes. That's when she suggested I wait out in the cold to maybe get an appointment for the next day.
I then went to the ER for the 3rd time and waited 12 hours to be seen and finally given clear instructions and helpful information. First time I spent 14 hours, second time was close to 24 hours. All while waiting in the waiting room on a wood chair... no bed or better seating ever offered as I wriggled around in pain.
Waiting only 15 minutes to see a doctor would be a dream.
I didn't misunderstand. I
I didn't misunderstand. I wait at least four weeks to get an appointment with my GP for non-emergency care. Then I wait in a germ-infested waiting room with an active toddler for 45 minutes to an hour and a half every single time just to see him. I would trade waiting outside in non-recycled air. "Freezing temps" or actually freezing temps? I'm from Minnesota so a short wait in the cold doesn't sound like a valid reason to dismiss an entire medical system. ER wait times and conditions are just as abysmal in the U.S.
Well that's not what I
Well that's not what I experienced in the 35 years of living in the US. My dad had good insurance and so did I so maybe that's the difference? I haven't lived in the US for over 7 years so maybe it's changed since. 'm sorry it's like that for you.
There is no waiting weeks for a GP appointment here as it's book on the day only. In the end I gave up and pay for Push Doctor. Totally worth it.
I really could not have walked so no I could not have gone there. Not sure why I am having to try and prove this. I wasn't trying to dismiss anything.
I agree, tog. It should not
I agree, tog. It should not be so expensive or so hard to receive quality healthcare.
My childhood experience is
My childhood experience is meaningless. I am very old. I never saw a doctor at all until I was grown and wanted BC pills. And back then (50 years ago) I was living in a very Catholic city. I called the AMA and asked for a doctor that would prescribe BC pills as many doctors would not. The doctor I was referred to was black (when there was still extreme bigotry) but I did not care at all. Bless his heart.
In Australia just visit
In Australia just visit paediatrician when born then straight on to the free gp system.
I stayed with mine until I
I stayed with mine until I was 18. She was brilliant and I really hated to leave even then.
She knew everything that I had had, didn't have to worry about my medical history being transfered, plus when I was in 6th grade (?) I broke out in this crazy rash. She wasn't working (only worked 3 days a week) so I went and saw another doctor. Who basically was telling me I most likely had a lethal disease and my body was slowly going to be shutting itself down, then I'd either be permenantly maimed, or dead if we didn't start immeadiate treatment. Considering I had ZERO symptoms besides the rash, we came back the next day when my doc was working... Literally was just from an autoimmune response, wasn't contagious, would go away in about a week no problem. No being maimed, no death. She took me around the office and set the stupid doctors straight I had seen the day before. She was awesome. I saw ZERO reason to switch doctors until I absolutely had to after that point.