Do your kids see a pediatrician or general practitioner?

Did you switch at any time or have they always gone to the same DR?

At what age do kids leave the ped as patients?

Our peds office is really starting to tick me off...I am considering changing the kids to where DH goes if they take kids..Josh is 9 so I'm not really concerned about that..but didn't know if I should leave Austin with a ped for another year or two.

DH's dr is right down the road too..

Pediatrician, mainly. When we can't get in that day for a sick kid though, we go to urgent care with them (GP) :nod:

We still take her to the pediatrician. Neither DH or I have found a really good GP for ourselves that we like. So, she will stay with her pedi for as long as possible. We love our pediatrician. She has a daughter that is 4 days younger than Genavieve.

They both see a pediatrician. They take patients through high school I think.

I'm biased, of course. :) My kids rarely see a doctor, but when they do, it's an FP. I think in either case, you need to find a doctor that you're comfortable with. Unless your child has special health needs, FP's are trained to see the same spectrum of everyday things that peds are- and a good FP will know when things are out of their scope of practice (and honestly, most of the stuff I've referred on- I've spoken with general peds, and they've recommended further referral to a specialist, since it's out of their scope too...)
So, really- either one is fine, just depends on what your family is comfortable with :)
(and most peds will see through age 18- I saw a ped growing up, and was uncomfortable going there by the time I was early high school...)

Mine see a GP and have since birth. She is also my doctor. The only time we saw a pediatrician was when we were concerned about Emma not walking. Things are different here in Canada that you only see a pediatrician if there is some concern and then are referred to one by your GP. My GP was also there for Emma's delivery (She couldn't make Christine's).

Camille goes to the same peds office since birth. Rick and I go to an Internal Medicine doctor. I don't think I've ever gone to a GP.

We got to a Family Practioner. Tylor went to a pedi and it was down where you live. I was not happy at all. We have been going to Dr. Economous since he was 2. ALL of us. And we love him. He is great with all of us. He was even at the hospital for Alyssa when she was born. It was a great great great experience.

FP. No real reason that I picked him other than the fact that he was the urgent care dr I saw once to get my allergy RX renewed. He is still with the same clinic but just in a different location now. He also came and spoke at our birthing class. I didn't even give him a thought until after he spoke then I just figured "what the heck!!!" Kept things simple.

Both my kids see a Pediatrician - I have a GP who I love, but her office is near my old house (45 minutes away) and that is too far to take the kids b/c they go to the doctor so much. I like their Ped a lot, and there are male doctors in the practice that I like as well, so if Jackson wants to switch when he gets older, he can. I plan to keep them with the Ped as long as I can.

I think my office takes patients until they are 21 - it's always funny when I see a HS aged kid in the waiting room, they usually look embarassed!

We take our kids to a ped. But like Eleanor said, the main thing is to find a dr. that you are comfortable with.

Do your kids see a pediatrician or general practitioner?
Pediatrician

Did you switch at any time or have they always gone to the same DR?
David has always gone to the same practice. He mainly sees Dr. Kanarek.

At what age do kids leave the ped as patients?
I have no idea.

Our peds office is really starting to tick me off...I am considering changing the kids to where DH goes if they take kids..Josh is 9 so I'm not really concerned about that..but didn't know if I should leave Austin with a ped for another year or two.
I had a problem with one of the girls in the office but I have always loved the doctors. I told the main doctor what was going on and he corrected the problem immediately. Not sure what the problem is that you are having..but would it help if you talk to the doctor? Just a thought.

DH's dr is right down the road too..

Do your kids see a pediatrician or general practitioner?
Pediatrician

Did you switch at any time or have they always gone to the same DR?
David has always gone to the same practice. He mainly sees Dr. Kanarek.

At what age do kids leave the ped as patients?
I have no idea.

Our peds office is really starting to tick me off...I am considering changing the kids to where DH goes if they take kids..Josh is 9 so I'm not really concerned about that..but didn't know if I should leave Austin with a ped for another year or two.
I had a problem with one of the girls in the office but I have always loved the doctors. I told the main doctor what was going on and he corrected the problem immediately. Not sure what the problem is that you are having..but would it help if you talk to the doctor? Just a thought.

DH's dr is right down the road too..

well the main dr we went too has left suddenly..around January maybe???
We have heard she is coming back in May but she didnt post anything to let her patients know. I totally understand and I am worried something happened or it could be a sabbatical too but why wouldn't they get someone for the interm?

Then the second dr told me last month she was leaving to stay home with her little boy..

So, we are down to ONE dr..which makes run of the mill stuff..like strep or ear infections hard to get in. And like today, SIL had to pick up nephew cause they thought he had pink eye and there was no dr in today. Which leaves us the ER and a $150 copay for PINK EYE.

I called to schedule Josh's 9 year appt and got in for JUNE. No biggie, just I feel they are too big for their britches and have a poorly run office..

I would switch. It doesn't sound like you're at all happy and I think its important to have a good relationship w/ your child's doctor (and more importantly, have your child feel comfortable with them).

We go to a pediatrician that we've been seeing forever. We love her and the rest of the practice. I do know that they see patients up to age 18 (i've seen them in the waiting room), but I can't see taking my kids there that long. I see a wonderful FP and if I am still seeing him in 10 years, I would switch them to him.

To add in another question..does the sex of the dr matter?


If you have a girl, do you look for/have a girl dr?

While I would consider switching to DH's which is a male, the boys have only seen female drs so far. SIL is not ready to consider that just yet for my neice.

Well, I have both a girl and 2 boys, so :lol: They all see a female. But when I chose the doc, it wasn't based on sex. It was based on reputation, personality, interaction w/ the kids, and availability.
When I was a teen, I saw a male doc. I don't recall feeling weird about it. Maybe b/c my mom saw a male, too :dunno:

Well, I have both a girl and 2 boys, so :lol: They all see a female. But when I chose the doc, it wasn't based on sex. It was based on reputation, personality, interaction w/ the kids, and availability.
When I was a teen, I saw a male doc. I don't recall feeling weird about it. Maybe b/c my mom saw a male, too :dunno:

Right..I guess my question doesn't make much sense LOL.
Neice had alot of stranger issues..and more so with men..but also checking things out, she does better with the female dr at her checkups, but I think eventually seeing a guy she and SIL can talk about all that stuff since SIL sees male drs as well.

Mine see a GP and have since birth. She is also my doctor. The only time we saw a pediatrician was when we were concerned about Emma not walking. Things are different here in Canada that you only see a pediatrician if there is some concern and then are referred to one by your GP.
:nod:

Anna was referred to a Ped. when she was diagnosed with kidney reflux.

Our Dr. is a man, and I suppose if Anna were ever to feel like she would be more comfortable with a female Dr. then we might try to find one for her. There is a big Dr. shortage here, though so we're lucky to have one.

The Dr. that the 4 of us go to also sees my grandma, and my aunt and her family. I kind of like that he knows us all. :)

Our original ped was a female. Both kids did really well with her. She started her own practice and moved further away. We now go to the same practice, but a male doctor. He's older and really good with the kids. Sara loves men, so it's not a problem :aok:

:nod:

Anna was referred to a Ped. when she was diagnosed with kidney reflux.

Our Dr. is a man, and I suppose if Anna were ever to feel like she would be more comfortable with a female Dr. then we might try to find one for her. There is a big Dr. shortage here, though so we're lucky to have one.

The Dr. that the 4 of us go to also sees my grandma, and my aunt and her family. I kind of like that he knows us all. :)

That would be nice :)

My boys go to a pedi practice that has 3 women drs and I am really happy w/them. They also see kids until they are 18, but I don't see them going there at that age. I really like my GP and Chad likes his, too, so we will probably switch them over, when they get older and don't feel comfortable seeing the pedi anymore.

We go to a pediatrician. No offense to Eleanor but I just feel better taking them to a doctor who only takes care of children. The office is super child-friendly! Our current doctor in Baltimore is male and I totally love him. I also know him professionally (he calls me for advice when he has patients with urology problems) and so I know that he's a good doctor. Our doctor in NY is a female pediatrician and I know her from residency. My kids are young enough that I don't think gender matters. When they are older, I'd be happy to consider same-sex doctors if it's important to the kids. I like seeing a doctor in a bigger group because of some of the issues Kara mentioned. Our group has "sick hours" every morning from 7:30 to 8:30. If I think one of the kids has an ear infection or something, we can just show-up during that hour. Very convenient, especially for working moms! They also leave a few appts available for sick kids every day. A few weeks ago my mom called in the morning because Jessica had an EI and they got her an appt that afternoon, even though my doctor had just had a baby (well his wife did!) and was out.
I would definitely look for a new practice, Kara!

Amanda

We went to a FP when Riley was a baby (she actually delivered Riley) but she stopped practicing when Riley was 2. We switched to another FP, and he was HORRIBLE when Owen was born and having jaundice and FTT issues. We switched to a ped then and I'm glad we have. We seem to get more personalized child-like care (if that makes sense) with the ped.

I loved my first FP and cried my head off when she left. And I love Eleanor to pieces, but now I'm just more comfortable with the ped.

We see a FP. My mom is a L&D nurse and he delivers 2/3 of the babies at that hospital. He delivered both Maggie and Will and reffered me or sent me to perinatologists when I had problems with both Natalie and the twins. He is very busy so often I wish he would hire a PA or add a partner but I really do like him and works well for our family. I am still conflicted about who to see when I start TTC again though, not sure if I would feel better seeing the doctors in S.F or him (not that there should be any probs with my next pregnancy more the emotional needs I have)
But to get back to the original question I feel fine taking my kids to a FP doctor. Right now I also don't have a problem having Maggie see a male doctor.

Do your kids see a pediatrician or general practitioner?
They see a pediatrician.
Did you switch at any time or have they always gone to the same DR? Yes, the original ped we brought Janelle to was HORRID, our current ped rocks though and I'd never change from them!

At what age do kids leave the ped as patients?
I have no idea...I've seen older teens in the office. I know most peds take patients from birth to 21...but I don't think most kids would want to stay with a pediatrician for that long.

DH and I see a family doctor whom we really like, but when he told us "we can see the kids as well" and then we told him who their ped was his comment was something like "ohh yea, you wouldn't want to leave them"...

Amanda, I wish there were places around here like that! Even a walk in clinic would be WONDERFUL..
I don't even think I would get that switching to dh's dr but its alot closer..and alot of people in his family go to him.

Shel- We started out with a FP, then had Austin..and his issues LOL so after his RSV week in the hosp we switched to a ped. I think he's past "those" issues though I'm certain there will be others, I just wasn't sure whether to look at switching both or one child. Obviously both would be easiest..We'll see LOL.

Our pediatrician in NY doesn't have the walk-in hours and stuff. We've just been really lucky here in Baltimore!

Amanda

We all see the same doctor, who is a male GP. Pediatricians here are specialists. You only see them if you are referred by your GP for a specific problem.

There a female drs at our GP's office too. I see one of them for paps and stuff as I feel more comfortable with a woman doing that. If Emily ever feels like she needs to see a female dr, it won't be a problem. We won't need to switch drs, just ask for an appt with one of the females.

My GP has sick kid appts too. If you call in the morning and ask for an appt with him,you'll be told it's at least a week wait to get in. Mention it's for a child and he'll see you that day :)