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Tips for Healthy Living - Taking your Child to a Doctor or Nurse

Ask

Ask questions. If you don't understand what your child's doctor or nurses say, ask them to explain. Always ask about any medicines or tests they say your child needs. If you don't ask, they may think you have all the information you want or need.

Let your doctors and nurses know if you need more time to ask questions about your child's health. If the doctor doesn't have time that day, you may be able to talk to another doctor or nurse, schedule another appointment, or find out when you can call later to speak to someone.

Some doctors and health plans have call-in lines. If you call, you can speak to an advice nurse.

All through this booklet are Ask Your Child's Doctor or Nurse questions. They are examples of the kinds of questions you may want to ask.

Tell

Your child's health history. Tell your child's doctors and nurses about your child's health history. For example, tell them about:

• Any major diseases your child has had.
• Any operations your child has had.
• Your family's history of diseases and conditions. For example, if diabetes runs in your family, let your child's doctor know.

Your child's health now. Only you can tell the doctor what your infant's health is like. As your child gets older, he or she can let the doctor know "where it hurts," but you will be the main source of information about your child's health for many years. It is important to tell the doctor and nurses about:

• Any and all signs of illness that your child has.
• Any medications, herbs, or supplements such as vitamins that your child is taking.
• Any other doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist, or therapist that your child is seeing.
• Any allergies or reactions to medicines that your child has.

Don't hesitate to report personal information. Feel free to talk about your beliefs and concerns about your child's health. You don't need to wait to be asked.

Once you leave the doctor's office, followup.

• If you have questions, call the doctor's office.
• If your child has any problems with his or her medicine, call your doctor or your pharmacist.
• If your child needs to see a specialist or get a test, make the appointment or ask your doctor's office to make the appointment.
• If you do not hear from your child's doctor or nurse about test results, call and ask. If you don't understand the results, ask what they mean.

 

Source: United States Department of Health and Human Services