Does a 12yo “need” a pediatrician?

[Anonymous]

Long story short, DD12 hasn’t been to see her actual doctor since her birthday 2019. COVID happened and we didn’t need to go for any reason within the last 3 years, but now the school has sent paperwork that she will need a couple immunizations before middle school next year.

She’s 11 but will be 12 soon. She’s had her period for nearly a year, if that matters at all. She has ZERO desire to see her current/old male pediatrician. But does she “need” a pediatrician? Can I find a female general practitioner? Or will they make me have her see a pediatrician?

Also, is it possible for somewhere like Walgreens to pull her records and see which of these shots she needs? The website says they offer them.

[Anonymous]

Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

Eye and ear exams = hearing tests and eyesight tests

I figured out one of my kids needed glasses at a well visit.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you may want to look for a family doctor.

[Anonymous]

Family medicine doctor or pediatrician, either one.

But for god sake, get her to a doctor ASAP. Get her old doc's office to send records to new doc for vax records. She needs her HPV vaccine.

[Anonymous]

You could look for a family practitioner, but I wouldn't go with a regular GP (assuming they'd take her). There are a lot of puberty-related things that a pediatrician will have more experience in, and will be more used to dealing with kids than someone whose practice is otherwise all adults. I saw my pediatrician until I went to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

We DO have one for her, as I mentioned in my post. We just haven’t been for a well-checkup since 2019. In 2020 they were only doing them for young babies, and we just didn’t go in 21-22. She hasn’t been sick. There was no need to go.

Now we need to go and she’d like a female doctor.

[Anonymous]

My 15 year old still sees his pediatrician. He needs the visits for school forms but the regular well child visits also to show him how to take care of himself as an adult.

I would take this opportunity to find a female doctor who your daughter likes. There are some pediatricians who specialize in adolescent medicine which could be nice at her age but it’s not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

Eye and ear exams = hearing tests and eyesight tests

I figured out one of my kids needed glasses at a well visit.

My DD already has glasses and sees an ophthalmologist. We are set there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you may want to look for a family doctor.

I see a family doctor practice that is all female doctors and caters to women as clients. They offer the full gamut of well woman care and I'm sure would take a teen. They would refer to a specialist for anything that falls outside a GP for care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

We DO have one for her, as I mentioned in my post. We just haven’t been for a well-checkup since 2019. In 2020 they were only doing them for young babies, and we just didn’t go in 21-22. She hasn’t been sick. There was no need to go.

Now we need to go and she’d like a female doctor.

But you were suggesting in your OP you'd just go to Walgreens to get shots and forgo having a regular doctor at all. That is what people are responding to.

[Anonymous]

I'm really surprised the doctor's office hasn't hounded you for 3 years that your child hasn't had an annual physical. Ours calls and 'reminds' us if we are month late.

Yes, she needs an annual exam. Everyone does. You've been pretty lucky that she's been healthy and you haven't had to see a doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Family medicine doctor or pediatrician, either one.

But for god sake, get her to a doctor ASAP. Get her old doc's office to send records to new doc for vax records. She needs her HPV vaccine.

This, if your kids are in person school, why wouldn't you take them for a yearly physical. Most adult doctors will not see kids but you can switch to a female ped.

[Anonymous]

I am always annoyed when the schools want these immunizations records and now I know why. People like the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long story short, DD12 hasn’t been to see her actual doctor since her birthday 2019. COVID happened and we didn’t need to go for any reason within the last 3 years, but now the school has sent paperwork that she will need a couple immunizations before middle school next year.

She’s 11 but will be 12 soon. She’s had her period for nearly a year, if that matters at all. She has ZERO desire to see her current/old male pediatrician. But does she “need” a pediatrician? Can I find a female general practitioner? Or will they make me have her see a pediatrician?

Also, is it possible for somewhere like Walgreens to pull her records and see which of these shots she needs? The website says they offer them.

I think you need a primary physician to follow her. A Family Practitioner would see her, but might be harder to find than a female pediatrician. Many GP's and Internists don't see patients under 18, but you might find an exception.