Family Prctice Better than Peds??

family practice doctors do not have training in children like pediatricians. If your child ever has a problem that needs special attention the family practice might not recognize the need for treatment and tend to delay treatment with a "watchful waiting" approach. I would switch to another pediatrician rather than family practice

I had decided to use a family doctor for my daughter. Its great. He has more time for me because he doesn't have hundreds of other mothers calling him. Also he sees my husband and I as well, so he really gets to know the family. He can look for things in her that we have (like my husband's heart problem).

Find a pediatrician practice that will answer your questions right away when you call, not call you back. Our pediatrician has a nurse who just is on the phones all day. I call with a question and ask to speak to the nurse and get right through. If she thinks the question needs a doctor's opinion, she puts me back on the line with the receptionist to set up an appointment. I always get in the same day (usually within the hour).

D.:

Sounds like you need to find a new doctor. As for a family practice or a pediatrician - I have no input - here's what I can tell you about my peditrician though.

I love my sons' pediatrician. If I have questions, depending on the issue, I either speak to her (or the nurse to see if she can help - if not, the doctor gets right on the phone), or I get a call back at lunch (if I call in the a.m.) or after 4:30, after the last patient has been seen.

Your issue would have been an immediate conversation with the nurse, and/or the dr.

You should not be kept waiting for this type of issue - it could lead to something more serious - and could be answered in about 5 minutes (probably less).

Don't know where you live, but my pediatrician is in South Windsor, and I'd be happy to share her name.

Let me know!
C.

I had a similar problem with finding a good doc to see. I am not sure if she does pedi work but, if you happen to live in the hartford, ct area, she is an awesome doc and would probably be able to refer you to a good pedi through UConn if she doesn't handle that age group. Her name is Dr. Elizabeth Appel. She has been my primary for a few years now and she is AWESOME about returning calls. I have yet to wait more than the end of the day (about 5:30) that I called her to hear back from her or someone from her office (if she's given a run down and feels she needs to see me, she often has one of the nurses call me back so the appointment can be set asap). I often consider myself lucky to have found such a great dr. Good luck to you and your little one.

I don't think it is so much the type of doctor (pediatrician vs family doctor) but the practice. I think you should stay with a pediatrician because they specialize in kids, but go with one that you feel more comfortable with. Why don't you try another practice? They should have called you back by now, but their precedures may be different. Our practice has procedures that they follow. You call and talk to a nurse and if you have more questions a doctor will call you back. Every practice is different. Every doctor is different. And don't ever trust exactly what your pediatrician says if your gut instinct tells you something else. Always do your research and get second opionions for serious matters. Just the other day I told my baby's dr that I was treating him for a fungal rash (ringworm) and it is going away. The doctor took one look and said oh eczema is very common just put lotion on it. I said, no that it is ringworm and it is taking a long time to heal and go away, (it can take up to a month or more if you skip the oitment). I could tell he didn't believe me. So frustrating, but I let it go because I knew what it was and it did look like dry skin, only because the rash had dried up, but I know the difference between ringworm and eczema. Ok, just had to vent for a second. ;) Go with your instincts but I would research some other pediatrician practices before a family doc. Pediatrician offices are specialized in kids, know what kids need (like vaccinations etc.) are better able to handle babies and kids. if your kids lips are not cracking or dry you are hydrating the baby just fine. Don't go overboard with water, kids can get sick with too much water it decreases their sodium levels and is very dangerous, especially babies. Try pedialite. Stay away from juices because the sugars just make things worse. If she is on formula just give her a few extra ounces. But the lips are the biggest indicator of hydration along with energy levels.

I don't think either is better than the other. You just need to feel comfortable with the practice, nurses, drs, and the care that you receive. When my 1st was born I went to a family practice, but was unhappy with the care, they didn't seem to know specifics about some problems we were encountering. So I switched to a ped that is 20 mins from my house (instead of 5) and am much happier. Find someone that you trust and that CALLS YOU BACK! :-) Good luck!

Hi. I would stay with a ped. since they are specialized in children. I would definately say its time for a new doc. I have never had a problem reaching my doc. he will even go into the office on a Sunday or Holiday for an emergency to see my boys. Talk to some other moms and your area and see who they take their kids to I was lucky my ped was wonderful so my kids go to the same doctor that I did as a child.I think when your daughter is older teenage years it would be a good time to switch to a family practice. Good luck I hope you find a doctor that suits you.

D., how often do you call your ped's office? If it is frequent, they probably figure it's not an emergency. They return calls in a priority order, and depending on how busy they are, it could be a day or two. Also, have you asked to speak to a nurse? They can usually handle those kinds of questions. My son's pediatrician used to have 1 or two hours a week at the same time where he was available for direct calls.

I would recommend getting a couple of good baby/childcare books, and refer to them before you call. They almost always can answer the first level of questions you might have, and they also tell you when it's time to call the doctor. I remember being a new mother, and it was great to have that handy reference nearby. It also was helpful to know what to expect- growth, teething, sleeping habits, etc.

Good luck!

Hi

If you are in the seacoast area, I highly recommend Exeter Peds. They are great doctors with caring nurses and they have after hours appointments.

M.

Hi D.,
I can't speak to the difference, but it sure sounds like you need a better practice! We have our 2 1/2 year old daughter at a pediatric practice, and they are great about getting back to me. If it is an emergency, I get put through to a nurse immediately, otherwise I get a call back in about 1-2 hours.
During my daughter's first year of life, I only spoke to the Dr. - and she would call me any time - she once spent 1/2 an hour on the phone with me at 7pm on a Friday evening. They have been flexible about my daughter's vaccination schedule and I just love them.

Good Luck to you - and just find a practice you feel good about and where you feel you will get the care you need. Ask the moms around you for referrals - you will get an ear full!
Good Luck!
Warmly,
E.

i love my daughter's pediatrician. he is in a small practice with one other doctor. we are in the haverhill area so if this is convinient for you i will gladly share the info. i have spoken with the doctor many times and he has even met us in his office at 11pm. great practice! ~K.

I actually asked my pediatrician friend this- who lives in another state. She told me that family practitioners are every bit as good as pediatricians when it comes to wellness visits and common childhood illnesses. But pediatricians are better trained for handling any issues involved if your child becomes seriously ill. She recommended that if I went with a family doc, just check with them to see if they would work with a pediatrician (of your choice) if your child ever needs the additional expertise. But it does sound like you need to interview another doctor, either way, and inquire about their response times and who will get back to you when you call in with a problem.

Where do you take your son? I take my boys to the Rochester Pediatrics and they are great. I always get a call back within a couple of hours and if my kids need to be seen they get in the same day.

I had the same experience with an awful peds. office in town (no call backs, rescheduling, not able to see my sick daughter, etc.) and I started taking her to our family doctor. I love it!!! Not only does my doctor know me and my husband, she also knows my daughter and everything going on. The nursing staff is great, too, since they love seeing young ones in the office. It's also been great that when I'm in for my daughter appt., I can ask a question about my own health or an adult question/vice versa. I've had no problems and we will continue this with baby #2 from the start! I encourage it D.!

I love our family practice! I have dealt with a lot of pedis. because of my line of work, and I'll take a family doctor any day. They know our whole family and always ask at the baby's visits how we are doing, do we need anything, etc. They have been much more flexible than pedis. would be about our not vaccinating and our other health choices. And anytime I call with an issue, they get us in right away. The actual DOCTOR calls me back when I have an issue, not just a nurse. If you are on the North Shore, this is Dr. Horowitz in Danvers. Also Dr. Susan Deluca in Beverly is a great family practice too.

I think the doctor is wrong for not calling you back. I'ld stick with a ped. doctor because they specialize in children. A family practice is okay but it's more general.
My doctors office is very good. There are a lot od doctors and when a call I always get a call back within an hour 2 hours at the most. The first thing in the morning is the worst time to call and towards the end of the day. If I've had to wait for a call back they always apologize.
I'm sorry you've had bad luck with your current ped.

I switched pedi's for this reason. It is the individual practice, not the type of doctor. I switched to Nashua Pediatrics, and they are awesome. I don't know where you are, but if you are near, they are great and always available when you call, it may be a different nurse or doctor, but they can get someone when it is important. Switch, listen to your gut, don't wait for a bigger health crisis like ended up happening to us. If you are in Nashua, Dr. LeBlanc and Dr. Kukay are our first choice at Nashua Pediatrics, but all the doctors there are great.
Good luck,
D.

I don't think you should ever expect the doctor to call you back but the nurse definitely should have. I leave message at my clinic, they tell the nurse who consults with the doctor and then it's the nurse who calls back.

Doctors have pretty full schedules as it is they who have the face time with the patients who made appointments in their clinic.

But like I said, I always get a call back from the nurse within a couple of hours. A full day is truly unacceptable, especially when you were hanging on a medical decision!

I've used the same family practice doctor for 10 years. He was much less busy back in the day but when I make an appointment, we have his undivided attention. My kids love him, and so do I. He has 4 kids of his own and is very holistic in his approach. I've never had a pediatrician before so I don't have any comparison. As a busy Mom of 3 with a full time job I've gotten used to the "one stop shopping" and I kind of like us all having the same doctor. He truly knows us.

Hi, I had a great experience using a family practice Dr. with my first 2 kids (now 8 and almost 6). I now have an infant alsmost a yr old and switched to a pediatrician. I don't se eany major differences except just different doctoring styles and experience levels. I don't think the practice makes a diff just the doctors in it and the care they give you and their knowledge base (and how they seek info if your child comes up with something they are not an expert at). Good luck!

I would try to change pediatrician offices rather than switch to a family practice. A pediatrician is specialized in children's medicine. Children is what they see all day long. A family practise doctor will treat an 80 year old and a 1 year old in the same day. I like the idea that a pediatrician is specialized. I would just think that a Family practise doctor see more elderly in the day than children. I'm sure whatever you decide will be the best choice for you and your family.

Hi D.!
I don't know which is better but I don't necessarily think that that's the issue; someone should have called you back whether it be the nurse or the the doc. I take my son to Dr Landis at Pediatric Assoc. of Wellesley (which is actually in Weston) and have always been able to speak to someone on the phone ... So yes, you probably do need to switch to another practice, be it A FP or pedi.
Good luck

our pediatricians are wonderful (Crown Colony Pediatrics in Quincy) - we call and someone (either a nurse or one of the doctors) will answer these types of questions right away. On the occasions when we have called after hours, a pediatrician called us back right away. I don't know if the difference is so much between a "family practice" and your pediatrician - it just sounds like you need a more responsive pediatrician.

I don't think it matters about the practice, it's the staff that matters. When you call to ask about your childs health they should have you speak to a nurseimmediately. When I call my pediatricians office for any questions I am connected to a nurse before I can schedule a visit. If the doctor or a nurse can't be bothered to call you back you need to switch practices. My daughter was hospitalized over night because of dehydration from a stomach bug. I spoke with my pedi office throughout the day and they were great about giving me advise on how to treat it. You have to go with your gut, if you don't feel like you're getting the best care for your child you need to move on. Don't feel bad about it either.
Hope this helps.
J.

That is aweful!! We go to a great family practice in Swansea MA on rt 6. Dr. Sarah Shreeter at Mount Hope Health Center. She does it all and is a firm believer in holistic medicine vs. pumping you full of meds for no reason. Also she gives call backs immediately.