How to make the most of your pediatrician appointment

Visiting the pediatrician with a young child can already be a stressful time. Add forms to fill out, screening tests, the physical exam, and a checklist of items the doctor has to go through, and the whole experience sometimes feels rushed and overwhelming. It’s easy to leave an appointment and think, “What was that thing I wanted to talk to the doctor about?” or “I’m not sure I got my question answered.” It’s part of a pediatrician’s job to address a family’s questions. But in a brief and busy visit with young children, sometimes parents’ concerns get missed.

Here are a few things parents can do before, during, and after the appointment to make the most of their time with the doctor:

Before the appointment:

• Make a list of your concerns and save them on your phone or somewhere you’ll remember them. Decide on your top 2-3 priorities in case there’s not enough time to address everything at one visit. What’s most important to you, or what are you most worried about?
• Take pictures or video if appropriate. For example, if your baby sometimes gets a rash or does something strange in their sleep, it can help the doctor if they can see it for themselves.
• Consider sending a message to your doctor using the patient portal (may also be called personal health record) to say, “Here are some things I’d like to talk about at my child’s visit next week.” This can also be helpful if there’s something you want the doctor to know but may not want to discuss in front of your child.

During the appointment:

• If there’s something you’re specifically worried about or afraid of, let your doctor know. You know your child best and are the most important part of their medical team.
• Tell the doctor your main concerns or questions at the beginning of the visit. If the doctor forgets to address something, don’t be afraid to remind them.
• Be specific. For example, instead of just saying you’re worried about your child’s behavior, tell the doctor what the behaviors are and how they’re causing problems at home or school.
• Before you leave, make sure you know the plan or next steps. It’s okay to say, “Can you explain that to me again” or “How will I learn the results of the labs?” or “When I get a referral, will the specialist call me or do I need to call them?”

After the appointment:

• Schedule a follow-up appointment if needed. There may not be enough time in one appointment to fully address your concerns. This can happen if there are multiple concerns or one complicated issue that needs more testing or follow-up.
• Do whatever labs, testing, or specialist follow-up that was discussed. If you have trouble making an appointment or getting a test done, tell your doctor’s staff; they might be able to help.
• If you forgot to ask a question or bring up a concern at your visit, it’s not too late. It’s better to reach out to the office via a phone call or portal message instead of waiting until the next scheduled visit.
• Remember, as a parent, you’re not only a crucial member of the healthcare team. You are the expert in your child and their strongest advocate.