"Meet and Greet" w/New Pedi (OT)

[whitnessforhim]

I have an appt. tomorrow to visit with a potential new pedi for DD. According to what I've heard and read from their website they take a more holistic approach to healthcare, utilizing both alternative and traditional methods. This has me really excited about the possible switch.

I've never done an office visit before with a pedi. The one we have now (which I love but is too traditional) was recommended by a friend of mine so we just made an appt. and went.

What questions should I have on my list to ask?

Any other thoughts/advice?

TIA!

[txgrl16]

I can't think of any specific questions...but please post about your visit...I'm in your area and may be interested :) Good Luck!

[whitnessforhim]

Here's the website if you want to check them out. http://www.healthykidspediatrics.com/html/Home.htm

The only downside is they are way up north in Frisco and we're in Richardson...we'll see how far it is in the morning.

The great thing is she accepts our insurance!

[blessedbythree]

Have a list of things that are important to you ie. vaccination issues, bf issues, antibiotic use/misuse. Bring these with you to discuss. Find out if your dd will be able to see the same doctor for most visits or will you have to go with anyone in the practice. Find out how they schedule appts. If you have a sick child will they be seen that day? Do they have a nurse available to answer questions via phone? What exactly does "holistic" mean to them? That's all I can think of for now.

[madelsmama]

I'll tell you what has been important for me, but it really depends on how much you care about what your doc thinks about your own choices.

I would want to get a feel for his/her thoughts on what happens if Zani comes in with an ear infection, for example. Does Zani get antibiotics right away or can it be closely monitored for a few days, giving you a script to fill just in case?

What types of adjuvant care do they offer (homepathic remedies? herbs? chiropractic manupulation?)?

Are they supportive of your feelings WRT vaccinations? Are they, at least, tolerant if not supportive of parents who choose to delay/defer vaccinations?

What are their feelings about extended nursing?

[Mamacita]

I will be interested to see what you end up with on your list. We will be looking for a new ped soon, ours is hard to get to if DH and I are at work and need to take the boys. Plus she just made all of her patients sign this huge list of I will pay x if I do x. To get her signature so I could get them in daycare I had to pay $25.00. Argh!

I totally loved her back in the day when I was nursing because she was so pro breastfeeding. She nursed both of her babies well past a year and never once murmered weaning or formula to us...even when DS1 had jaundice. Now that I have weaners I am more interested in:

Stance on nutrition (ie human kids don't need cows milk for nutrition etc. or what if your child was suspected to have ADHD would they be able and open to attempting to control the situation with nutrition/exercise/activity/herbs etc. first in lieu of drugs)

Thoughts and opinions on vaccinations and delayed vaccinations

How they handle illnesses are they quick to write a prescription for antibiotics or do they use only when necessary.

How available are they after hours in case of an emergency. What is their protocol if their is an emergency.

[madelsmama]

Stance on nutrition (ie human kids don't need cows milk for nutrition etc. or what if your child was suspected to have ADHD would they be able and open to attempting to control the situation with nutrition/exercise/activity/herbs etc. first in lieu of drugs)


I would also add this to my list also!

[whitnessforhim]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! I'll update in the morning!

[whitnessforhim]

Ok well basically I'm in love with this new pedi!!

Most of the questions you guys suggested I ask she answered through her introduction to us. What got her started in this holistic direction was a personal battle with breast cancer. She explained how modern medicine is broken and it was at that point she introduced herself to holistic, naturopathic rememdies. It was this that kick started her mission to provide holistic pediatric care to her clients. She left her mainstream pedi. office to open her own 13yrs ago.

Here's what she answered for us in her introduction:

-She is very vax friendly. Her practice follows a delayed vax schedule but works closely with parents/kids on an individual level to decide which vaxes or schedule, if any, would be recommended. She specializes in autism and ADHD and touch on this a bit while addressing the vax issue.
-She only administers two vaxes per office visit at a time. Doesn't charge another co-pay just to come back for follow up vaxes.
-She only carries Thermisol (sp?) free vaxes.
-She makes available (amts are limited) the MMR shot seperated out. She doesn't administer the MMR shot to anyone under 18mo. but recommends parents to wait till at least 2yrs of age.
-She tries all holistic (herbal, ciropractic, etc.) avenues first before looking to medication to solve issues. It was funny because she brought up ear infections as one of the example to show how she uses a holistic approach to healing. She mentioned that she would use herbs (i.e. garlic drops, fish oil, etc.) first to deal with an ear efection and then if absolutely necessary she'd go the antibiotic route.

I also liked her policies on newborns. For all newborns born under her care she:
-does not give Hep B vax at birth
-does not give the vit. K shot to babies born healthy and without complications. She carries the oral form of vit. K for her patients.

I asked her how she felt about EN. She said that she most certainly supports it. She nursed her son until 2 and her daughter wean at 1yr. Nurses are available to call for questions. She is available through page for all emergency care issues. The way they schedule their appts. allows for same day sick visits. She is the only Dr. patients see.

I have already set up Zani's 1yr check up appt. and had the insurance switch PCP's and send a new card. Even though its a bit of a drive, we'll now be going to her. I'm so excited about the switch!

[blessedbythree]

I'm so glad you are happy with her. She sounds wonderful. Wish I could find someone like that in my area. Let us know how the one year appt goes.