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Choosing a Doctor for Your Child
There has been much in the news lately about the record-setting number
of newborns born in Summit County this year. As one of the family
physicians in Summit County who cares for these newborns at Summit Medical
Center as well as many other children and their families in Summit County
in my office, I can personally attest to this eagerly anticipated trend.
It’s exciting to see Summit County "growing younger".
I feel now would be a good time to discuss one of the many important
decisions you will make for your child – who will be his or her (or
their) physician. The first consideration is whether to see a pediatrician
or a family physician. I’ll try to shed some light on the similarities
as well as the differences between the two specialties.
Pediatricians spend 3 years of residency training focusing entirely on
children and adolescents. They receive in-depth training in intensive care
nursery, complex pediatric diseases, and child behavior and development.
This provides an in-depth knowledge base of complex pediatric problems, in
addition to the routine care of childhood illnesses and well-being.
Family physicians spend 3 years of residency training focusing not only
on children, but also adult medicine, OB/GYN, orthopaedics, surgery and
psychiatry. This provides a comprehensive knowledge base for each member
of the family from the child, to the parents, to the grandparents. This
enables one physician to care for an entire family. |
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Both specialties focus on the
overall well-being of our children, providing initial newborn care and
resuscitation, well-child care, health education, disease prevention,
school & camp physicals, sports medicine and acute care for
illnesses and injuries. Both do so in a child-safe and child-friendly
environment. Both want to make the tough job of being a kid, a sibling,
a mom, or a dad as easy as possible.
Pediatricians and family physicians also act as a team. While 100% of
a pediatrician’s day in the office is seeing children and adolescents,
about 50% of a family physicians day involves caring for children. There
are many circumstances where the care of a pediatrician is more
appropriate, yet 99% of childhood visits could be equally accommodated
in either practice setting. And, often times we share in the care of our
children with complex, and often no-so-complex, illnesses.
The second consideration is more difficult to define, but no less
important – personal preference. Some families prefer the practice
style of a pediatrician for their children, while other families prefer
the family practice style where every member of a family sees the same
physician. In addition, it’s most important to find a physician you
trust, can confide in, and respect. Scheduling, availability, and
location may also play an important part in determining who you will
choose. You may find a visit with one or two physicians from either or
both specialties helpful in choosing.
If you have any questions or comments, or would like to schedule an
appointment, feel free to call a High Country Health Care office. Any of
our family physicians would be
able to care for your child, or if you prefer, our pediatrician, Dr. Patricia Luce, provides care at our
Silverthorne clinic.
We look forward to continuing to care for the children and families
in Summit County.
Randy Nations, MD, is a provider for High Country Health Care, PC, in
Breckenridge, CO. |
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