If you have a child, you know how important visits to the doctor can be. You always want to make sure that your kids are avoiding illness and otherwise living a healthy life, but at what point do you leave the pediatrician and opt for an internist? Figuring out when to transition your child out of a pediatrician’s care can pose a challenge for newer parents. Fortunately, the experts here at Matthews Internal Medicine can help you answer that question. Let’s take a look at some of the factors to consider as you weigh a switch over to an internal medicine practice like ours.
Age
Naturally, age is a factor in when to switch over to an internist. Many people stay with their pediatrician until they’re eighteen years old, but some stay with them up to their twenty first birthday. Age is not the only consideration to make, but it’s definitely something to think about.
Pre-Existing Conditions
If your child has a pre-existing condition, that could also affect how long they stay with a pediatrician before switching over to a family practice. Your child may stick with a pediatric specialist for longer, before transitioning over to a specialist that works with older children and adults. If your child has to go to the doctor more often due to their health conditions, they may also want to stay with a pediatrician for longer because they’ve become more familiar with them.
Convenience
You should also consider convenience when you’re deciding whether or not to switch over to an internist. If your current pediatrician isn’t conveniently located, doesn’t offer the hours you need, or doesn’t provide crucial tests and lab work, it could be a good idea to switch over to your family doctor a little earlier. Plus, if the whole family is going to the same doctor that’s just more convenient.
Family History
A doctor at a family practice knows a bit about your family’s medical history and could know more about what to look out for. If there are any potential issues that you need to be on the lookout for, switching your child over to an internist earlier might be a good idea. Your doctor would be familiar with your whole family’s medical history and could spot early signs of trouble.
“Embarrassing” Health Issues
It may also be time to move on from a pediatrician when your child is experiencing health issues that they don’t want to talk to their pediatrician about. If your son or daughter has been with a doctor since they were a small child, they may have a problem discussing certain issues with their childhood doctor. Asking about contraception, STD testing, or other problems may be embarrassing for them, so they’d rather talk to an internist that hasn’t been treating them since they were in diapers.
Your Insurance Plan
Another consideration is your insurance plan. Is your child’s pediatrician in network? How does the copay look? If your family practice is better for your insurance plan, it might be a good idea to transition your child to an internist earlier on. There’s no hard and fast rule for when to switch over, but considering all of these factors can help you decide.