Communication is vital to good pediatric health care
Nobody said parenting was easy and in some cases, even talking with
your child's doctor can be hard. Although communicating with your son
or
daughter's health care
professional might not always be easy, it is an essential component of
an effective partnership.
Both parents and doctors need to understand and appreciate the value of
listening, reaching an agreement and being honest with each other. The
professionals at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, for instance,
all strive to open lines of communication with parents as a vital means
of providing
the best possible pediatric medical care.
Consider the following six strategies -- originally designed as a fever-
education program -- for communicating with health care
professionals:
Set the stage. At routine, or well-child visits, be open about
questions and concerns you have regarding fever (and other conditions)
and share those concerns with health care professional. This will help
shape the parent-professional partnership.
Educate Yourself. Read brochures and books on children's health.
Also, be sure to learn what to look for and expect in the course of
fever. Ask for a list of specific signs and symptoms to watch for, such
as neck stiffness, achiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and changes to
the skin that can help determine whether you should contact your health
care professional about a fever.
Also ask your health care professional questions about how to use
different types of thermometers to take your child's temperature and
what types of fever-reducing medications are available to lower your
child's temperature.
Develop a Plan of Action. Work with the health care professionals
to develop a plan of action. Make sure you have certain items at home
such as:
* A thermometer to check the temperature;
* Information about the signs and symptoms to watch for to help you
assess the situation.
* Medication to lower the temperature and make the child more
comfortable;
* A pencil to monitor the child's behavior and temperature and record
the child's progress.
Understanding of Terms. Clarify all fever-related terms and review
some guidelines for managing fever with your health care professional.
Remember to ask questions about terms you do not understand.
Keep Written Records. It is helpful to keep written notes of
pertinent information including your child's temperature, behavior and
other symptoms, medication given and the progression of the illness.
The health professional will want to know this information. By having
an accurate record on hand, you can help facilitate diagnosis.
Defining Endpoints. Ask for a list of endpoints that will indicate
whether you've helped to manage you child's fever and, as a result,
made your child more comfortable. Such endpoints include:
