Doctor's appointment nightmare

[Anonymous]

Why did she not get shots ?

I wouldn't go to a dr that didn't have a back board to strap bad gets in if it was needed. Yes restraining children is usually nessasary.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering why she had to get undressed. My four year old did not disrobe for her appointment. The dr lifted her shirt a bit, and pulled her pants down to check her privates, but all of that was done quickly, and with an explanation from the dr of what was happening, and that it was only ok with the dr and her mom there when it happened.
So what part of the exam required stripping?
I might change pediatricians. On the other hand, you said you have generally liked this dr, so maybe it was a one off bad day. We do all have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did she not get shots ?

I wouldn't go to a dr that didn't have a back board to strap bad gets in if it was needed. Yes restraining children is usually nessasary.

No fing way is my kid getting strapped in to a backboard restraint for a general well child check up. Way to set up a lifelong fear of doctors!

[Anonymous]

OP, here again. We didn't get shots today because she was getting over a cold, and they generally recommend to wait until the child is better.

And um, no offense, but if there was a back board involved in any room I was in with my child, I'd be making a beeline out of there.

And yeah, good call about the history being in the computer. Her 3 year old checkup actually had notes in the computer that included things like, "keep up with speech therapy, keep me posted on developments." Which I have, in emails to her every few months. FWIW, this doctor is actually quite lauded in the DC area and has won awards. I like her, but there are times where I don't quite follow her approach. One of her "concerns" today was that, according to her, my DD was "much more social" at her 3-year-checkup, which was the one, as I recall, where mostly my DD was running around, singing, and trying to get access to the doctor's computer module in the room.

This was the same doctor who also misread some test results that were done on a lesion that my oldest developed on her wrist. When we came in for her next app't, she started counseling my 12 year old on what she should no now that she had herpes, which would be a lifelong condition. I was stunned and asked her what she was talking about. She referred to the test result in the computer (I have access to the online records at home as well, since it's Kaiser), and I had read the test as being negative. She insisted it was positive. I went home, looked it up and sent her a message about it. She then called me, completely agape, saying she had misread the test results due to a computer glitch on her screen.

I gave her a pass at the time, told me oldest that everyone makes mistakes, but now I'm not so sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering why she had to get undressed. My four year old did not disrobe for her appointment. The dr lifted her shirt a bit, and pulled her pants down to check her privates, but all of that was done quickly, and with an explanation from the dr of what was happening, and that it was only ok with the dr and her mom there when it happened.
So what part of the exam required stripping?
I might change pediatricians. On the other hand, you said you have generally liked this dr, so maybe it was a one off bad day. We do all have them.

I know! I was wondering the same thing, which is why I asked if she could just keep her clothes on. There was not a single thing she did that required a no-clothes-on policy. She checked her eyes, ears, heart, tummy, and a quick privates check. I didn't understand why she needed to be naked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did she not get shots ?

I wouldn't go to a dr that didn't have a back board to strap bad gets in if it was needed. Yes restraining children is usually nessasary.

No fing way is my kid getting strapped in to a backboard restraint for a general well child check up. Way to set up a lifelong fear of doctors!

What's wrong with a fear of doctors ? You only need them until you are 18. Then you don't legally have to go again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, here again. We didn't get shots today because she was getting over a cold, and they generally recommend to wait until the child is better.

And um, no offense, but if there was a back board involved in any room I was in with my child, I'd be making a beeline out of there.

And yeah, good call about the history being in the computer. Her 3 year old checkup actually had notes in the computer that included things like, "keep up with speech therapy, keep me posted on developments." Which I have, in emails to her every few months. FWIW, this doctor is actually quite lauded in the DC area and has won awards. I like her, but there are times where I don't quite follow her approach. One of her "concerns" today was that, according to her, my DD was "much more social" at her 3-year-checkup, which was the one, as I recall, where mostly my DD was running around, singing, and trying to get access to the doctor's computer module in the room.

This was the same doctor who also misread some test results that were done on a lesion that my oldest developed on her wrist. When we came in for her next app't, she started counseling my 12 year old on what she should no now that she had herpes, which would be a lifelong condition. I was stunned and asked her what she was talking about. She referred to the test result in the computer (I have access to the online records at home as well, since it's Kaiser), and I had read the test as being negative. She insisted it was positive. I went home, looked it up and sent her a message about it. She then called me, completely agape, saying she had misread the test results due to a computer glitch on her screen.

I gave her a pass at the time, told me oldest that everyone makes mistakes, but now I'm not so sure.

This is unreal.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you didn't prep her very well for this visit. That doesn't excuse the doctor's actions, but you could have prepared her for what to expect. Bribed her with ice cream afterwards, etc.

[Anonymous]

You can't prep an anxious speech delayed child to be peppered with questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering why she had to get undressed. My four year old did not disrobe for her appointment. The dr lifted her shirt a bit, and pulled her pants down to check her privates, but all of that was done quickly, and with an explanation from the dr of what was happening, and that it was only ok with the dr and her mom there when it happened.
So what part of the exam required stripping?
I might change pediatricians. On the other hand, you said you have generally liked this dr, so maybe it was a one off bad day. We do all have them.

I'm the PP with the 3yo and our experience was the same as yours. I'd find a new ped.

[Anonymous]

DS has an expressive speech delay as well.
If we ever had that experience we'd be changing peds! Our doc always asks him one or two simple questions to try and build rapport. At his 4 year old apt that's all a she got from him, and then I answered the questions.
At his 5 year they chatted a little, but I still did a lot of the translating.
She specifically mentioned that she will always try to talk to him because he's her patient, but that it's more improvs r that he feel comfortable and that she gets the right info, so she's not going to push.

No matter how popular a doctor, it's not always the right fit. I'd find a new lne

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs that you need to change pediatricians. My DD is also 4 and didn't have to disrobe or answer questions at her most recent well visit. She did talk a little to the dr, but she was intimidated and he was aware of that and backed off right away. (He's awesome.)

One thing, though -- kids can and should get their shots on schedule unless they have a fever. Cold season is unrelenting and you can't delay annual shots every year just because of a cold. Heck, when your kid is born in the fall/winter, it's basically a given they'll be getting over a cold at every well visit!

[Anonymous]

OP again. No worries – we're actually headed back Monday for the nurse visit/shots. I don't like putting them off either. DD doesn't seem to find the nurse visits nearly as upsetting because she knows it's over and done and we get to go get a treat.

Agree with the other PP about prepping – hard to do for a child when they are speech delayed, even if she understands a lot. I also don't like pretending that it's going to be this rocking good time when it's truly just not.

Thanks also to everyone who told their experiences and recommended a doctor change. Thinking about it. Anyone have a great Kaiser pediatrician they want to recommend? We end up going all over to different centers between the five of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't prep an anxious speech delayed child to be peppered with questions.

Or, with my child at least bribe. He is now bribable but not at that age. That was a really rough age. Doctor did not handle it well.

[Anonymous]

If all 3 kids are "anxious" maybe it's how you tell them stuff.