Different Types of Services Pediatricians Offer
Most people equate pediatricians with care for babies or young children. If your child has an illness, visiting the pediatrician is a top priority. However, these professionals do more than just prescribing medications. Pediatricians offer a collection of services to their patients. Learn all about the types of services pediatricians offer so that you can make educated decisions about your child’s health. Your child’s pediatrician most likely will have a list of their services on their website, much like Newport Children’s Medical Group does. Before seeing a new doctor, be sure to check out a list like this to see if they cover your child’s needs. Also, you will be surprised at the many things they do handle. Here some of the things you might see:
Vaccination Packages
An incredibly important aspect of a pediatrician’s services is the vaccination. Many life-threatening diseases, such as measles and smallpox, have effective vaccinations. Your pediatrician can start a baby’s life off right by performing the shots almost immediately after birth.
Every few months afterward, the child receives more injections that protect him or her from these serious diseases. Some vaccinations are initial injections while others are boosters to protect the child’s health. If you’re wondering about which pediatric service to prioritize first, vaccinations should be number one.
Health Screenings
Vaccinations only cover part of your child’s protection against disease. Health screenings are another feature in your pediatrician’s office. These screenings include scoliosis, tuberculosis, vision and hearing evaluations.
Depending on the child’s age and medical history, these screenings occur on regular schedules. Your child’s school might request a certain evaluation, for instance. Specific evaluations can pinpoint a decline in health, such as vision that requires glasses over time. Keep up with these screenings so that your child’s health is always emphasized.
School Physicals
Children participate in many different sports. Many of these pursuits are part of a school’s curriculum. Your pediatrician can evaluate a child for a specific sport. Schools request for certain forms to be filled out. The requested information often involves medical histories, ailments and overall health considerations.
The pediatrician determines if the child can participate in the sport with his or her professional opinion. These evaluations are extremely important because they can save lives, such as situations involving football players or gymnasts.
Chronic Ailment Care
Some children have chronic ailments, such as diabetes or asthma. They must be evaluated on a more frequent basis in comparison to other children. Pediatricians specialize in ailments that affect children. There are particular needs that must be met.
Chronic ailments can be effectively managed when the pediatrician works closely with the parents and child. Everyday activities may not be a challenge as a result of the attention that the ailment receives. Ignoring a health concern will eventually impact the child in negative ways, from depression to anxiety.
Injury Care
At times, children become injured. Playing, participating in sports or just heading out on a fun day with the family can result in an injury. Unless the injury is acute and serious, a pediatrician can look at it. There’s no need to involve the emergency room.
The doctor evaluates the injury and sets up a proper course of treatment. You might visit the doctor more frequently during recovery, and the care will be highly specialized to your child’s needs.
Teen Wellness
Many people don’t realize that pediatricians treat children until they’re 18 years of age. Teenagers require different care than the younger children. Your teenager may need reproductive counseling, acne treatments and other care.
Teenagers may seem to brush off doctor visits as unnecessary, but yearly physicals should still be prioritized. Their bodies are still developing, which makes their evaluations just as important as an infant’s appointments.
Psychological Evaluations
An often overlooked part of a pediatrician’s job is helping with mental health. Children are exposed to a lot of information in today’s fast-paced world. Social media brings in subjects that may not be age-appropriate, from adult content to political unrest. Your pediatrician can assist you with mental evaluations, discussions, and solutions.
The mind of a child is delicate. It makes sense that a youth professional should handle both the psyche and physiology of children as they develop into adults.
Ideally, choose one pediatrician and stick with this professional. Trusting in one professional for everyday needs makes your medical history an easy file to keep track of in the long run. If any issues arise as the child develops, you and the doctor have a clear sense of the health picture with the complete, medical file.
