Parents want to make the best decision with regards to who should care for their children. This includes both primary care visits and sick visits. The two main options available are family practice doctors and pediatric doctors in Summerville SC. Each has their pros and cons.
Pediatrician Pros
There are a number of benefits to taking children to see pediatric doctors in Summerville SC. First, while both family medicine and pediatric doctors have received training in how to care for children, a pediatrician has three years of specialty training just in treating children, while a family medicine doctor spends time learning about caring for older people as well and thus has less training in the problems specific to children. Pediatricians also treat only children, so they’re likely to have more experience dealing with children’s issues.
Family Medicine Pros
One of the main benefits of seeing a family medicine doctor in Summerville SC is that the same doctor can treat the whole family, making it easier to keep track of doctors appointments and potentially watch out for hereditary problems. The doctor can also see a child from birth through adulthood, so the child won’t have to find a new doctor when they get older as long as they’re still living in the same area. It can be easier to fit in everyone’s appointments when they’re all at the same place.
Pediatrician Cons
There aren’t many cons when it comes to choosing a pediatrician. The main ones are that the doctor won’t have the whole family’s medical records on hand at the touch of his fingertips and that the child will eventually have to switch doctors. Be sure to pass on information about any potential hereditary problems or illnesses to the doctor. Many children move away to go to college or for jobs once they get older anyways, which makes it so they would have to change doctors anyway, so this shouldn’t be a major consideration.
Family Medicine Cons
Family medicine practitioners may not be as well versed in dealing with problem children, and their offices may not be as entertaining for children as those of a pediatrician. They haven’t spent as much time studying the potential developmental problems of children either and may not pick up on these as quickly.
Palmetto Pediatrics has been serving the greater Charleston and Summerville communities since 1975. Alongside a comprehensive menu of standard pediatric services, including child vaccinations and children’s flu shots, they also provide urgent care pediatrics for any sick child that needs prompt medical attention in order to facilitate a rapid recovery. Visit www.charlestonpalmettopediatrics.com to learn more!
