How realistic is it to see about 40% pediatric patients in a city that has a large number of pediatricians I am a pgy-1 in family medicine, and although I enjoy it, I wonder if i will be able to see as much pediatrics as I want when I am done. Do any of you know of any examples of people who see large numbers of peds as an fp?
Seeing a lot of pediatrics
- Thread starter tatabox80
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deleted87716
The number of children being seen by family physicians has been declining in recent years, for a variety of reasons. A good overview article is here:
Caring for Children: Re-examining the Family Physician's Role
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/508748
There are some good practice-building tips at the end of the article.
Caring for Children: Re-examining the Family Physician's Role
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/508748
There are some good practice-building tips at the end of the article.
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I've tried to increase the number of children in our practice primarily via word of mouth. I enjoy children, and do tend to joke around with them when they accompany their parents on their own visits, and I've picked up a few pediatric patients this way.
Mostly, you probably need to offer something that their current pediatrician can't...for a new physician this will probably be "time". You'll need to give them more time than a busy pediatrician. Do this at the expense of patients you don't like seeing. (Spend 20 to 25 minutes with your pediatric patients, and 5-10 minutes with your "cough for 1 day" Z-pack seekers). And call parents personally with test results, a rarity in a busy pediatricians office.
Also, many pediatricans have moved to hiring mid-levels, which can be a potential selling point for a new physician who can guarantee the child will see an actual doctor every visit.
Ultimately, make sure parents know you will collaborate with a pediatrician if the child is seriously ill or carries an uncertain diagnosis.
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.
