Helping Parents Work With Pediatricians
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The relationship between a pediatrician and his patient is unique because for most of the relationship the patient is a minor and must have his medical needs met by a third party, usually the parent.
Ideally, the parent-pediatrician relationship will benefit the pediatrician, parent and child.

For pediatricians, their patients’ progress from being totally dependent on parents as infants through the growing autonomy of childhood and adolescence and into the independence of young adulthood.

At first, the child has no input into the medical decisions made on her behalf.

As she grows older and her communication skills grow, she is gradually drawn into the discussion of what must be done to help her grow up healthily.

By adolescence, health issues arise that may need to be discussed privately between pediatricians and their patients.
Sometimes, these issues may cause the patient embarrassment, preventing her from talking in front of either parent.

In many cases, state laws may require strict confidentiality between pediatrician and adolescents of a certain age when discussing such things as pregnancy or certain other issues.

In these cases, the parents may be involved only if the patient gives her permission.

At the age of legal adulthood and after, health decisions can be discussed without a parent’s involvement.
I often find, though, that many young adult patients would still like their parents’ input.

Over time, by interacting with a patient’s parents, a pediatrician can learn much about family dynamics and parenting styles.
This helps the pediatrician tailor treatment for the child.

For example, if parents worry about a child’s behavior, the pediatrician can remind them that an older sibling behaved similarly.
Reasons can be found for why certain behaviors or illnesses are occurring, and strategies and treatments can be reviewed and implemented that will help the child as well as the family.
Parenthood is one of life’s most important adventures.

Once a person becomes a parent, she enters a new phase of life.
No matter how the new parent was parented herself, no matter how unsuccessful at other things she has been, there is a chance to excel at what I feel is one of the most crucial tasks a human undertakes.

A pediatrician can be an important ally for a new (or experienced) parent.

The physician can model positive interactions with the child and provide insights into a child’s life (school, problems they face in sports, etc.).

Those strange bits of advice heard from relatives can be affirmed or negated.

Pediatricians are one of the few groups of physicians whose patients leave them without having to die first.
Along the way, the parent-pediatrician alliance can help make the journey into adulthood a healthier one.