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1. Never
threaten your child with a shot or visit to the health care provider as
punishment for misbehaving. You want the visit to be a good experience, not
something the child associates with punishment. Children fear punishment,
you don’t want them to fear visits to their health care providers.
2. Choose your child’s health care provider carefully. Look for a provider
who:
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Accepts payment
from your health care plan.
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Has a convenient
office that is open during hours that fit your schedule. Evening and weekend
hours are a real plus.
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Relates well to
your child and makes you feel comfortable about asking questions.
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Has a smoothly
run office with a courteous and professional staff.
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Possesses the
skills necessary to provide the best care possible for your child.
3. Try to
schedule appointments for times when the child is usually most relaxed
rather than when he/she is likely to be sleepy, hungry or just plain
grouchy.
4. Before the appointment, talk with your toddler about what is likely to
happen during the visit. Help the child get comfortable with the idea by
suggesting play activities where the child pretends to be the health care
provider. Dolls and stuffed animals make good patients and children love to
give “pretend shots” to Mom and Dad.
5. If possible, sit down the night before and write out the questions and
concerns you want to discuss with the health care provider. Take your list
with you to the appointment. Trying to remember everything while you are in
the office is difficult. Your list should keep you from forgetting important
things.
6. Ask all the questions on your list. There is no such thing as a stupid
question especially where your child’s health is concerned. Sometimes your
questions and concerns may lead the health care provider to check into
things that would have been overlooked had you not brought them up.
7. Take notes about what the provider tells you and ask for further
clarification if there is anything you don’t understand. Once you leave the
provider’s office, it is easy to forget exactly what was said.
8. Make sure you know when the child is to be seen again. If possible,
schedule the appointment before you leave the office.
9. Follow the provider’s instructions once you get home. If problems arise,
call the provider for further instructions.
From Loving Care – Health, Nutrition & Safety Tips – GA DRR, DFCS
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Parents should
consider having their child evaluated when they are worried that their child
is not developing at the same rate or in the same way as other children of
the same age.
Read more of Dr. Leslie Rubin's advice. |
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