Hello, my name is Gregory. When I was a young lad, I had to enter the health care world in an unexpected way. I developed a serious disease out of the blue that took doctors by surprise. I went through so many different testing procedures before my doctors could diagnose the rare disease. Everyone around me reeled as they tried to understand the purpose and process of the diagnostic tests. I hope to help others understand these important tests better through this website. Please come by often to learn all you need to know about medical diagnostics and working closely with health care professionals.
Talking About Diagnostic Tests For Medical Care
Should Your College-Aged Child Still See A Pediatrician?
Nanja Bongers
Can your college-aged teen see the pediatrician—or should they switch to an adult primary care physician (PCP)? Even though your teen is ready to move out and move on to college, they still need a primary physician. If you're not sure whether they're too old to visit a children's doctor or not, take a look at the top questions parents have about the college transition and health care.
Is There An Age Cutoff For Pediatric Patients?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not support arbitrary age limits for pediatric practice patients. But this does not mean your now-college-aged young adult child can continue to see the pediatrician well into their 20s or 30s. According to the AAP, pediatricians should consider the child's age, physical needs, and psychosocial needs when deciding whether a teen or young adult patient is old enough to transition to an adult PCP.
Pediatrics specialists have extensive training and experience working with children from birth through adolescence. This means your child could continue to see the same doctor through their college years. If the pediatric medical provider feels that your child's health care needs exceed their level of knowledge or that an adult primary care physician would be a better fit, they can discuss the move from their practice to a new one during a routine wellness visit or precollege checkup.
Why Stay With The Same Doctor Throughout College?
Continuity of care is a primary reason to seriously consider staying with the same pediatrics practice. The doctor knows your child and their history. This makes it easier for the doctor to assess health care and mental health issues. It may also mean that your child feels more comfortable with the doctor.
A lifelong (if your child has gone to the same practice from birth or infancy) doctor-patient relationship creates a level of trust that your teen may not feel with another medical provider. The higher the comfort level and more trust your child has, the more likely they are to open up to the doctor about potential medical or mental health issues of importance, as well as ask questions or voice concerns.
What Happens When Your Child Is Away At College?
Is your child's school far away from the pediatrics practice? This is typical for many college students. While your child is at school, they can contact the doctor via phone with questions that don't require an in-person exam. Some practices also have a telehealth or video appointment option.
Your teen may need to visit their college's student health center or find a secondary doctor to see while they are on campus. They can still visit the pediatrician's office during midyear, winter, and summer breaks. Plan ahead and schedule an annual checkup for these times as soon as your teen has their college calendar.
Contact a local pediatrician to learn more.
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