Talking with Your Child's Doctor
Your child may be seen by more than one doctor. The attending physician is a pediatric specialist who is in charge of your child's care.
Resident physicians from the University of Washington are doctors who are receiving pediatric training and are supervised by the attending physician.
Medical students may also be at the clinic visit. If you have questions about your child's care, ask the attending physician or your child's nurse.
Here are some helpful questions to ask your child's doctor.
Condition
- Do you have written info that I can use to learn more about my child's special health care needs? (also see Child Health and Safety).
Treatment
- Can you explain what will be done today?
- Whom do I call if I have questions about my child's care?
- When and how will I learn about my child's test results?
- Do I need to schedule another appointment?
- Whom do I call in case of an emergency? Whom do I call when the clinic is closed?
Medicine
- What is the name of the medicine? What is the medicine for?
- Is it safe to give if my child has allergies or adverse reactions to some medicine? Is the dose correct for my child's weight?
- How am I supposed to give it? What time each day? With or without food? What is the best way to measure my child's liquid medicine?
- How long should my child take the medicine? When should I see an improvement?
- What side effects may occur? What do I do if they occur?
- Is the medicine safe to give with other medicines or dietary supplements? What food, drink or activities should my child avoid while taking the medicine?
- Whom do I call if I have questions about the medicine?
Support
- Are there any support groups where I can connect with other parents? (Call Children's Resource Line toll-free at (866) 987-2500, option 1 for more information about support groups.)
- Do you know of any other local or Internet-based resources?