Choosing the Right Medical Provider

[Peggy Lou Morgan]

One of the most important decisions a parent must make for a child who experiences special needs is who will be the medical provider.  It can't be a see the picture in the yellow pages kind of decision.  Feedback from other parents is helpful as are referrals from other parents.

Many doctors are unwilling to take patients with special needs because they have had little training in medical school about special needs patients.

I thought it might be helpful to have a discussion about what to look for and how to build the patient doctor relationship.

Anyone interested in chatting about it?

Peggy Lou

[mnljbye]

Honestly I have found that referal is the best way to go in finding any medical/dental/eye provider!  General advice in finding a medical provider, if they don't listen and answer your concerns, find someone else.  We don't have time to waste on someone who is just trying to run as many bodies through the door as possible.

[flgalinms]

The biggest problem where I live is that there are NO specialists.  The doctors in my town seem to think that the best thing for my child, and myself by proxy, is to drive 100 miles and see the only specialists in my state.  Needless to say, the wait list is 100 miles long, and you have to wait six months for an appointment.  Don't get me wrong, they are great and all, but 100 miles?  Come on!  Can't we have someone closer than that?!?

[need06]

Our issue was a little different. We used the local doctor and our insurance for a surgery and it was miserable. They sent us home with co-tylenol and a three year old who was in major pain and a body cast from the hips down. We decided to try the Shriners hospitals and we have been very happy with them. They have done a wonderful job of managing our sons major surgeries and recovery over the years. The problem is the they are 11 hours away. In the last two years they have started doing local tele-medicine(they use a remote camera from a local doctors office)but we have flown to the hospital in Salt lake City for all of the rest of his surgeries(I think 4 or 5). My wife and I have taken turns going with him, sleeping on the role out chair for a week. The other taking care of our other two children.
I guess I tell you this to say. If you find a good doctor who does right by you and your child, stick with them. Especially if they have seen children with your child's unique issues. Good ones are more rare than they should be.