What Pediatricians Wish We Knew

I can remember the wallpaper. It was filled with blue, white, and gray clouds. The potty was so high off the ground I felt like I was in the clouds – in the most terrifying of ways. There were red airplanes flown by chubby brown bears. The sink was higher than a radio tower on an airport tarmac. This was the doctor’s office of my youth. Where I would sit nervously on crinkling paper, stare at the posters of anatomy, and wonder why soft round cotton balls were trapped in perfectly clear glass containers. I wanted to hold the soft circles to gain comfort. I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. The lolly-pops tasted horrible, but I tried one every time I went in the hopes their sugar-free recipe had improved.

But one thing I do remember is how much my mom seemed to feel better after we left. I was usually bundled up in the back seat, strapped between siblings, knowing the next stop was for the pink bubble gum medicine for yet another ear infection. Until one day my pediatrician took my mom another route. A route of vitamins, a sugar free diet, and a very serious hope that these new methods would make me consistently well. I had candida, a yeast imbalance that attacks the immune system allowing vulnerability to anything and everything. The solution was simple – knock out yeast feeding foods, gain offensive strategy by taking vitamins, and reevaluate as I grew. The discussion was always open, the goal was always to be healthy. My pediatrician had a heart for this and was willing to take the risk to go this route with her patience’s parents. She wasn’t a cookie-cutter prescribing doctor, she loved us, she wanted me and my mom to succeed at having a healthy life. She knew the secret – she talked to us as partners. Our responsibility was equal to hers.

When I had Ryder nearly three years ago I struggled who to take him to. My pediatrician was retired (and sadly has since passed due to cancer). I went through a few experiences with Ryder within the first month of his life that challenged me emotionally and logically. I quickly learned that pediatricians, the good ones, really do have a heart for children as much as I do and some…well, some need to reevaluate their bed side manor with the parents. I look like I’m 15. Regardless of age or experience, the fact is the relationship between pediatrician and parent is only going to work if there is a sense of trust. Even if our opinions differ on things here and there, we’ve got to trust that we both have an invested interest in the best possible course for our kids to excel physically and mentally.

I recently interviewed some pediatricians about what they wish we knew in relation to pediatric care. Although the participation wasn’t as high as I had hoped, I still learned a great deal.

I very much enjoyed how clear it was from their first answer that they truly love what they are doing. That they truly want the best for these babies. That they are truly, like parents,  learning along the way.

“Kids are amazingly fun, can be cryptic puzzles and are always changing. I love working with parents as well, whether it is in the role of teacher, coach or cheerleader. The constant bouncing back and forth between roles keeps it interesting and challenging.”

I wanted to know what these doctors really cared about, what they were concerned about, and if those specifics matched up with parents. I learned they want what we want, for our kids to grow and develop as to the best of their individual abilities.

Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions parents think of the pediatric world?
A: That we only see little kids (we see to 21)
That juice is healthy
That vaccines can somehow cause autism
That walkers help kids walk (they slow walking a little and can cause injuries)
The green mucus signifies a bacterial infection
That cold medications help a cold to resolve faster
That cold weather causes colds or ear infections

Q: What’s the most important thing a parent can do for their child at home in relation to health care?
A: “This is a really tough question and I think I would give different answers on different days. In the big picture, the single most important thing would be to get children vaccinated.* That has done more to prevent disease and death than anything since the invention of the sewer system.

…At home…healthy eating habits…there are long term health consequences into adulthood of poor nutrition and obesity.

…academic and career success…regular reading of books has the most impact down the road. People can change their eating habits over their lives, but I’ve rarely met readers who didn’t read avidly as kids.”

Q: Why don’t pediatricians talk more about ways to prevent sickness at check ups (i.e., vitamins, healthy eating, etc.?)
A: “…Taken directly, while many people feel that specific diets or supplements may reduce illness, there’s no consensus in the pediatric research literature about that, so it isn’t standard anticipatory guidance…agreement about specific vitamin supplements doesn’t exist.”

If nothing else, from this study I gathered that pediatricians, like parents, are faced with a lot of important issues to discuss, challenge, and encourage. But time is a constraint and opinion on which issues are of utmost importance vary from individual doctor to the next.

“In practice, we pick and choose from the list based on personal interest, circumstance and practicality.”

That ultimately the goal is the same. To monitor the development of children and having the fortitude to adjust and redirect, to learn and collaborate, and to trust that we are in this for the benefit of our kids.

Pedatrician’s Choice, favorite books as a child:
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

Andrew Henry’s Meadow by Doris Burn

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

A special thank you to the pediatricians who contributed to this post. You know who you are and I thank you for all that each of you do to invest in our children’s lives. Many thanks.

*my pediatrician was able to answer the vaccination question for me when Ryder was born. In her opinion she was for them. She did encourage a delay with some at the first vaccination appointment, but she didn’t discourage vaccinations as a whole. I realize that this topic is very controversial right now and each parent is doing their best to make their own decision. In my research the summer Ryder was born I couldn’t find enough balanced concrete evidence for not vaccinating my children. My hope is that pediatricians will help educate us, as fairly as possible, about this topic. Because frankly, I learned little from the first two pediatricians I met with before feeling comfortable with our current. Its not that our current has all the answers or could fully put me at ease one way or another, it’s that I found a trust and respect from the opinions shared, never once making me feel inadequate if I still chose not to vaccinate. But more so, this pediatrician didn’t withhold the benefits to vaccination. Its a relationship of trust for sure, even if we disagree.

Try polling your pediatrician the next time you meet… I’d love to hear the responses and even write a What Pediatricians Wish We Knew, Part II.

Survey
1. Why did you choose your profession?
2. Do you enjoy your profession? Why/why not?
3. How long have you been practicing?
4. How many years did you study before officially becoming a doctor (please count any professional education after high school)?
5. What are your three biggest concerns for children in relation to health care?
6. If you could educate your patients’ parents/guardians on three things, what would they be and why?
7. What are some of the biggest misconceptions you think parents think of the pediatric world?
8. What’s the most important thing a parent(s) can do for their child at home in relation to health care?
9. Why don’t pediatricians talk more about ways to prevent sickness at the healthy check-ups (i.e., vitamins, healthy eating, etc.)?
10. Do you have children?
11. Who is your favorite cartoon/comic etc. character?
12. What was your favorite book as a child?
13. What is your favorite color?
14. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
15. May I directly quote you? And if so, would you like your name to be referenced or remain anonymous?