I remember my first two appointments with Z’s pediatrician feeling like I was rushed. I would get home and still have unanswered questions about my sons check up and think to myself, I didn’t even have time to ask what I wanted to because he rushed me out of the room. I know doctors have their 15 minute time slot (15 if you are lucky) but to make new moms feel pressure to come and go so they can get their full patient roster in is ridiculous.
It was after those two appointments that I said to myself that I am going to start a list of questions before the next appointment, and I will ask him each and every one until I am content with the answers and leave feeling like I know everything I need to. And when some random illness comes up that is between a scheduled bimonthly check up, I’ll make sure I don’t leave with any uncertainties.
Every time I saw the doc after that, I didn’t feel rushed again and actually grew a nice relationship with him. To the point where today, 3.5 years later and a second child, I trust him unequivocally.
I have a friend who doesn’t seem to like or trust her children’s doctor. This really bugs me. You are putting your child into these peoples hands and you need to make sure you get from them everything you should. No question should be left unanswered. You should have all of the facts from the doctor about the status of your child’s illness. And if you don’t, well, you’re SOL. Not a good feeling.
I was just texting my friend who took her son to the doctor because he was still not himself after 3 days on antibiotics. She wrote to me after she was done and explained what the doctor had told her. I had questions about what his report was. And guess what? She didn’t know the answers. Perhaps she felt overwhelmed and maybe didn’t think to ask these questions, or perhaps she felt rushed? Regardless, it left her frustrated that the doctor wasn’t telling her certain things.
This doesn’t make any sense to me. Shouldn’t our doctors be doing everything possible to make us moms feel better and explain everything there is to know about what’s going on with our kids? Why do some moms feel like we are just a number when going to their doctor? I told her I think she should change doctors…what would you do?
