N.W. asks from Mechanicsburg, PA on June 04, 2008
Pediatrician Vs. Family Practice
I have been taking my 20-month old daughter to the same pediatricians' office since she was born. Without going into my list of complaints/concerns about the office and doctors, I was wondering if anyone had any insights about me switching her to a family practice.
My husband and I like the family practice we go to, and with recent experiences at the pediatricians’ office, have thought about just switching her over to where we go. Our only concern is the specialty to children that might be lost.
I talked to one of the nurses at the family practice and she assured me she'd receive the same care that she does at her pediatrician. To me, it is kind of like taking a name brand car to a general mechanic, rather than the name brand's dealership... for everyday things it might be great, but for more serious issues it might be better to go to the dealership.
Any insights anyone might have regarding a pediatrician vs. a family practice would be greatly appreciated!
So What Happened?™
Thank you to those who responded to my request. I have started taking my daughter to our family doctor, rather than her old ped, and it has been great so far - two sick visits down, with her 2 yr appointment coming up!
Thank YOU!
More Answers
L.D. answers from Harrisburg on June 05, 2008
There was a time I would have never recommended taking a child to a family doctor. Of course I was a Pediatric Nurse in a local hospital and worked with the Peds every day. If you have a good family physician that you really trust, I would not hesitate, and of course, this is assuming that your child does no have and significant health problems. If I had the family physician that I have now when my kids were little, I would not have even had to think twice, because she is wonder. I switched both of my kids there when they were teens and they both love her too.
1 mom found this helpful
K.B. answers from Harrisburg on June 05, 2008
I take my triplets to a pediatrician because they were preemies and have special concerns. But when we move again, and even with my older boys, a family doc is fine. It all boils down to their experience and if you all feel comfortable with them. If you feel your family doc is experienced and feel good about them, switch!
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
1 mom found this helpful
S.C. answers from York on June 07, 2008
My son is 5, and my daughter is 1. My son saw a pediatrician once, and that was a referral from a family doc. Both of the family docs in our practice are GREAT with my kids. (Both female with kids of their own.) If you're comfortable with it, go for it! I've never had any cause for regret, even when my son had congestion-related asthma symptoms and needed a nebulizer.
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L.P. answers from Harrisburg on June 04, 2008
Hi N.,
I chose to take my son to my family practice from the time he was born. I have not had any problems with them. They might not specialize in children, but they do have the same knowledge as pediatricians. One thing I like about taking him to the family practice is that they know him by name since they don't deal with little ones all the time, they find it "special" when they do get to have a visit with one.
L.
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