Many children run into ane doctor their entire childhood years, a pediatrician. But when do teens, or young adults, need to transition from seeing a pediatrician to going to an adult doctor?

When Am I Too Erstwhile For My Pediatrician?

After seeing a pediatrician for xviii years, or maybe longer, you become very comfortable with your dr., only pediatricians are doctors specially educated and trained in diagnosing and treating children.

"In general, patients volition transition from their pediatrician to an adult chief care physician around age 18, or around the time that they finish high school. Some patients with complex medical problems will stay with their pediatrician a scrap longer if preferred past the family," said Aubrey Bonhivert, Dr., FAAP, pediatrician with Franciscan Dr. Network Pediatric Associates of Greenwood. "Well-nigh pediatricians ask that families notice a new PCP around age 18, and by historic period 21 at the latest."

Why Do I Need To Transition From My Pediatrician To An Adult Dr.?

Pediatricians are trained to care for patients during infancy, childhood and adolescence.

"One time patients become beyond that adolescent period, it is best to run across a physician who is trained to care for adults, since medical management often changes in adulthood," said Dr. Bonhivert.

What Is A Primary Care Doc?

A primary intendance physician (PCP) is a health intendance practitioner who sees people that have common medical bug. This person is virtually oftentimes a physician. Nonetheless, a PCP may be a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner.

When yous're a child or teen, your pediatrician or family unit medicine md is your primary care doc. Every bit yous historic period into adulthood, your primary care physician is most ofttimes a family unit medicine dr. or internal medicine doctor. While your health needs may also require i or more than health specialists, a primary care medico is the typically main source of routine medical care, such equally wellness exams, sick intendance or other general medical concerns.

"A PCP is meant to be a patient'due south chief source of medical care.  Information technology is very important to have a PCP, as this physician volition get to know you and your medical history and be able to provide the most individualized care," said Dr. Bonhivert.

When Should I Visit My PCP?

Don't wait until you are sick to visit your PCP for the first time.

"A PCP is crucial for monitoring your health over time by watching things like your blood pressure, screening labs, immunizations, and weight," said Dr. Bonhivert.
You lot will visit your principal care provider for numerous reasons. Dr. Bonhivert stated that like pediatric patients, PCPs will meet you for an annual checkup, follow whatsoever chronic health atmospheric condition, and ideally besides be available for ill visits.

"For otherwise healthy adult patients, a visit is but needed once each yr. Nevertheless, if yous accept whatsoever chronic health conditions, your PCP may need to check in more frequently," said Dr. Bonhivert.

How Do I Find A Primary Intendance Dr.?

If this is your first time searching for a new primary care doctor, you may not know what to expect for, or even where to first, when looking when trying to find a new dr..

"For nearly patients transitioning from a pediatrician, finding a new PCP is non too challenging," said Dr. Bonhivert.  "The easiest mode to start is by finding out who is in-network on your insurance program in your expanse."

Dr. Bonhivert besides stated that some patients that take more specific medical problems, such as type 1 diabetes, cerebral palsy, severe asthma, sickle cell disease, etc., it is more important to notice a physician that will exist comfortable helping you manage those health conditions.

Should I Transfer My Medical Records?

When moving to a new primary intendance physician's office, don't forget nearly transferring medical records.

"Brand sure to have your records from the pediatrician's office sent over to your new PCP," Dr. Bonhivert said. "This helps with continuity of care, particularly for patients with whatever medical problems or pregnant history."

How Should I Find A Md For College?

Dr. Bonhivert has tips for students who need a doctor while they are away at college.

"For adolescents staying local for college, it may be an option to find a PCP in the area for all of their wellness care needs," said Dr. Bonhivert. "However, for any patients going farther from home for higher, it is best to have a PCP at dwelling house and establish intendance with the educatee health clinic at school. This is peculiarly important for patients that need ongoing follow up for conditions such equally diabetes, ADHD, asthma, etc."

When Should I See A Chief Care Dr. Instead Of Urgent Care?

Urgent intendance centers are fitting if you demand care for a modest medical emergency or if you require other medical services like lab work and vaccinations. These centers are convenient and widely accessible.

"Urgent care is a adept option for urgent sick visits when your PCP'southward function is not open, merely a PCP is of import for ongoing continuity of care, specially for patients that have a recurring effect or whatsoever chronic conditions," said Dr. Bonhivert.

Exercise I Need A Gynecologist And A PCP?

As girls grow into teens, information technology's of import that they get the right health intendance.

"Adolescents are sent to the gynecologist for menstrual problems that pediatricians tin't, or feel uncomfortable, to treat. If there are no issues, I recommend teens see a gynecologist prior to going to college," said Catherine Sam, Dr., obstetrician-gynecologist with Franciscan Physician Network Obstetrics & Gynecology Lafayette. "Choose someone that they will feel comfortable talking to. Most teenagers will prefer a female."

Information technology is recommended for yearly checkups that focus on the female reproductive organization, starting between the ages of 13 and xv. Oft chosen well-woman visits, they can catch small issues before they go large ones.

"Well-woman visits are to hash out normal menstrual cycle, normal and abnormal changes with the body pertaining to gynecologist," said Dr. Sam.

Find your kid's next doc or gynecologist today.

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Children have to transition to an adult doctor eventually