Do You Prefer:

After being exposed to Children's Hospital through volunteer work long before I had kids, I quickly learned that children aren't just "little people". Once I had children of my own, it was a no brainer for me to take them to a doctor who specializes in them. :)

Pedi-because they specialize in kids and are up-to-date on all new things kids related. Just like I go to a GYN because they specialize.

You know, normal children being taken to a Pediatrician is only a recent phenomena in the U.S.

Historically, only 'sick' kids were seen by Peds MDs: kids with life long conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, immune compromised, etc.

Family Docs and General Practioners are quite competent at seeing the entire family. Many even deliver baby's, so no need to even go to an OB if you're all healthy and comfortable with that choice.

But with our litigenous society and all the mal practice lawsuits over doctors not catching something early enough, many healthy people have flocked to specialists as their primary care physician.

In my experience, one of the benefits of a Family Dr. is that they maintain a life long perspective on the phases of our lives and are usually not as quick to label people and kids.

We have used all: Family Mds, GP's, Pediatricians,Dermatologist. I personally use an Internist due to an accident I was in, but would be very comfortable with a Family MD.

Chiro! LOL On the extremely rare occasion that someone in our family has to go to a doctor, we go to a DO.

We chose pedi because of the specialization with children. We don't skimp when it comes to health and safety

When our children were no longer requiring well checks, etc. we switched them to the family Dr(a DO). We all see the family dr. now. I like knowing that the family dr. knows all of us and all of our records are in one place.

We chose family dr for the same reason as you!!! It's been working good for us for almost 15 years!

We chose a pediatrician becasuse we liked that they have the specialized training. We have one Dr that sees all the kids and ours that sees us. With the new digital records they do have access to see all our records as they are in the same group.

I prefer a pediatrician for my son. Amazing the differences between family doc vs. pediatrician in treatments, tests rec'd etc. and I think 18 years is a pretty good history between patient and doctor.
The same reason I take my son to a pediatric dentist--kids are different--they're not "little adults"!

I chose a pediatrician for their expertise in children.

I tried to get us in at a family doctor. I made an appointment for one of my daughter's early checkups with shots. Showed up for the appointment only to find out that they don't even treat kids under 10! (or whatever age they said) Why couldn't they tell me this when I made the darn appointment?!?? Ugh

Anyways, I had to get her in somewhere for her shots, and I got her in at a pediatrician. I like her doctor there, and they do specialize in kids, so I'm ok with it. Still don't have a local doctor for myself except for my gyn.. lol

We take our kids to a pediatrician.

M

Pediatrician for children until the age limit (usually 18) and then a family doctor. I've taken them to both when the ped was out of town or it was on a weekend and my family doctor was opened but the ped was not. Well child visits should be with the ped. They have the specialized training for things related to children.

Personally I like a pediatrician. Knowing that is what they specialize in. Maybe start you kids with a pediatrician and then when your kiddos hit puberty, switch to your family practice.

A. V.

Different strokes for different folks. As long as your child is getting the proper care then it doesn't matter.

We chose pediatrician. A pediatrician makes the decision to work with children and specializes in children's issues. A family doctor may or may not be board certified in pediatrics or have had a residency specific to pediatrics. Don't get me wrong; I have no problem with a generalist as my primary care physician is a generalist and is outstanding - but he doesn't work with children.

I prefer pediatrician when they are young, but as they grow I'm okay with a family doctor. My 15 and 13 year old go to the family doctor, but my 4 year old still goes to a pediatrician. Pediatrician specializes in children, therefore, they may catch something better than a family doctor that does all ages. One of my jobs I had great insurance with their clinic so we went there, 100% coverage on my salary was better than 80-20 to go out of network, even though the pediatrician I had was the BEST I've ever seen. My kids infant and 2 year old didn't even cry when they got their shots. So depending on circumstances, makes a differences in my choices. I prefer pediatrician for young children and family doctor for older teenagers.

We use a family physician also. Same reasons as you. Plus, they won't "grow out of" their doctor.

I get the advantage of our family doc being my best friend, so I can call her at 3 am for all my little emergencies! It has seemed to work out fine for us having a family doc for the whole clan. That way they can stick with her forever and not have to switch when they are 18.

I go back and forth between the two, and the reason I do this is because they have SO much differing opinion on everything. From my experience the ped goes much more in depth about everything and is a lot more cautious about something that "might" be wrong. The family dr does great check-ups but is more likely to pass things off as no problems.

pediatrician until they feel "too old" to go there!

It's the same as using an orthodontist over a dentist....you want to use someone who has the specialized training....not general knowledge!