Before you head to your next sick visit with your pediatrician when your baby is sick, you can take some measure to maximize your time with the doctor:
1) Ask yourself how long it took to get an appointment with your doctor?
Keep in mind that many pediatricians see sick patients, especially for problems like fever, ear pain, or sore throat, on the same day that you call. If you can't get into your pediatrician's office when your child is sick, then it may already be time to change doctors.
2) Make a list of questions for your doctor.
Parents often forget their questions during a visit. Unless they are really important and need to be answered by a quick call to the office, start writing down questions as they come to you, and bring this list to your next visit.
3) Ask questions before you leave the visit.
Especially when your child is sick, some things you should know before you leave the office include:
- your child's diagnosis
- when your child should start to get better and what the plan would be if she wasn't (such as would you just call, come back for a recheck, or get a prescription called into a pharmacy)
- signs or symptoms that might indicate that your child is getting worse
- when you should return for a follow-up appointment (this is especially important for more chronic conditions like asthma and allergies)
- how long you should take any prescribed medications and their side effects
- when your child will no longer be contagious and can return to daycare or school
