Well & Sick Child Visits
- Both well and sick child visits to the office are an important part of comprehensive medical care.
- During a well-child visit we are mainly concerned with observing the growth and development, counseling and teaching parents, early detection of illness through screening examinations and laboratory tests, immunizations, and getting to know one another.
- For your well being we have provided a well baby waiting room to use when your child is not sick at most of our locations.
- We limit our counseling to the disease at hand during a sick child visit.
- Well-care and sick-care visits are scheduled separately. Well-care examinations are seldom performed when the child is sick. Complex problems may require more than one visit.
Making Appointments
- When making an an appointment, tell the receptionist the reason for the visit plus any other pertinent information which will help her allot the necessary amount of time.
- If you suspect your child has a contagious disease, tell the receptionist when you call.
- If you make an appointment for one child, please expect that child to be the only one seen.
- Please arrive before your scheduled appointment time. Late arrivals cause delays for the rest of the day. If you are too late you may be asked to reschedule.
- If cancellation of an appointment is necessary, please call as far in advance as possible.
Before the Appointment / During the Appointment
- Write down the questions you want answered before coming in for the appointment.
- Make sure your questions are answered fully and that you understand what the doctor has told you. You have the right to be fully informed about his/her findings and opinions.
- Most children are apprehensive at the prospect of a doctor visit. This can be a pleasant experience if we follow a few guidelines:
- Let your child know he/she will visit the doctor and may be a little treat.
- A shot may be necessary, so please do not promise "no shot."
- Never use the doctor, nurse, or shot as a threat or punishment.
- Reassure your child if he/she has an uncomfortable procedure. It is useless to say there is no pain and don't chide them for their fear. It is a normal response.