Five Ways To Annoy Your Pediatrician (and Get Better Medical Care)

Fifty years ago it was nearly always mothers who brought children to the doctor. Things are different now. A child's father is as likely to be the one to make the trip (and put up with those long spells in the waiting room). Whichever parent brings the child in, chances are the visit requires taking time off from work. Insurance co-pays continue their relentless increase, but one of the biggest costs to families is a hidden one--your time. So here are five ways you can make the trip to the pediatrician more efficient and useful to you and your child. One or more of these might annoy your pediatrician, but don't be dissuaded. You're not being a pest--you're being a good dad.

1. Ask the doctor to explain exactly what he is doing during the examination. If you've watched carefully as a doctor examines your child, you've probably noticed it's not a random process. There is a method to it. We're looking for specific things when we shine a light down the throat, feel the front of the neck, or push on sore bellies. These things are often not mysterious, and parents can learn about them, too. No, you shouldn't be using a stethoscope to listen to your child's chest or an otoscope to look into his ears, but there is a lot of practical information you can glean from understanding how a doctor's physical examination proceeds and why. So don't be afraid to ask the doctor to show you what he's up to. If you do, you'll get much better at describing your child's problems. That will help speed things up at the next visit to the pediatrician-and reduce the risk that the doctor will overlook something important.

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