It happens in the blink of an eye. A grade-schooler is suddenly in junior high, then high school. Before you know it, it feels like your preschooler is off to college.
For parents, it feels like kids grow up overnight. As you try to keep up with the changes, you may start to wonder if it’s time for your teen to leave the pediatric waiting room filled with infants and little kids and transition to a doctor that treats adults.
“While most people make this change around age 18 or 20, there is no set line where the change needs to happen,” said Annie Mlnarik, MD, a pediatrician with Endeavor Health. “As they get older, your child may voice a desire to leave the pediatric waiting room, or they may prefer to stay with their pediatrician as long as possible, and either option is OK.”
When they’re ready to make the change, there are two types of primary care physicians to consider:
- Family medicine. Family medicine doctors are board-certified and have specific knowledge of the body at any age, from newborns to older adults. Family medicine doctors can also treat a wide variety of conditions, including ailments for which you would normally see a specialist.
- Internal medicine. Internal medicine doctors specialize in the care of adults and teens, typically 18 years and older. Some internists specialize in certain diseases, parts of the body or life stages, like diabetes management, sports medicine and geriatric care.
Parents can help coordinate the change to a new doctor, in part to ensure medical records are transferred, but also to emphasize the importance of continuing to get annual physicals as an adult.
As you browse primary care physicians, consider each doctor’s areas of focus, as well as your child’s health history, family history and known risk factors, to help your child make the best match.
Some things to keep in mind as your child grows up:
- Start taking control of their health. When your child is a teenager, let them have some time alone with their physician at check-ups so they can become more comfortable talking with the doctor and asking questions about their health.
- Know their medications. If they take medication for a chronic health condition, have them start keeping track of it. By the time they’re in high school, they should know the name of their condition and the medication they take, what it does for them and how much they take. They could also begin to schedule their own refills.
- Know their health history. Make sure your child knows their personal medical history and their family medical history as well as any allergies they have.
- Find the right fit. When you prepare to transition to an adult doctor, be sure to talk to your teen about their personal preferences for a physician, such as male or female, older or younger. Check that the doctor they choose is in your insurance network.
Helping your child transition to a physician that treats adults will emphasize the importance of preventive healthcare as they age. Set a good example for your child by making annual check-ups part of your routine as well.
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