What is included in a pediatrician's appointment?
The doctor asks about complaints, the course of pregnancy and childbirth, previous diseases and vaccinations, then conducts a full examination: evaluates the skin and mucous membranes, lymph nodes, listens to the lungs and heart, palpates the abdomen, checks whether height and weight correspond to age standards. In young children, neuropsychic development and feeding regimen are additionally assessed. Based on the results of the appointment, the doctor makes a diagnosis, prescribes treatment or examination,, if necessary, refers to specialized specialists and adjusts the vaccination plan.
Primary and repeat appointment: what is the difference?
At the initial appointment, the doctor gets to know the patient: collects a detailed history, conducts a full examination, analyzes previously performed studies and builds a diagnostic hypothesis. This is the longest visit, and it is it that determines the entire further route.
A repeat appointment is shorter and solves another problem: to evaluate the results of prescribed studies, the effect of treatment and adjust therapy. You should not skip it - without control it is impossible to understand whether the assigned scheme is working.
How to prepare for your appointment
- collect the results of analyzes and studies, even old ones - dynamics are important
- write down the medications you are taking with doses
- formulate complaints: when did they start, what intensifies and what alleviates
- write down the questions you want to ask
What does the patient get as a result?
Conclusion with a diagnosis or preliminary diagnosis, examination plan, prescriptions with dosages and timing, as well as a guideline for the date of the follow-up visit. If the help of another specialist is required, the doctor gives a referral.