A pediatric ENT is an extremely important healthcare professional, particularly for those with kids. This type of medical worker is a specialist in pediatric ear, nose, and throat conditions that afflict children. They are sometimes called pediatric otolaryngologists and they can help with anything ranging in severity from an earache to a tumor. The primary care provider for your child will typically recommend seeing a pediatric ENT when their condition or issue may require more specialized experience. However, if you aren’t being recommended to a pediatric ENT or have multiple options on the table, choosing can seem impossible; learn six key tips for choosing the right specialist for your child.
First and foremost, word of mouth should be your go-to method for finding an accredited pediatric ENT. Speak with other parents who have children close to the age of your own and see if their kids ever needed to see a specialist for similar issues. Your friends and family will always be your most trusted source of information so lean on their experience. If your child has any specific needs, consider getting firsthand accounts of similar situations from other parents or even friends of friends. When looking for someone as important as a doctor, it’s best to rely on this personal experience before turning to Google reviews (or anything similar) so that you can build a layer of trust in your mind.
Exploring the listed qualifications and expertise of the pediatric ENT professionals you are considering partnering with is the next best step. Verify their credentials yourself and see if they have any particular sub-specializations that line up with the issue your child is experiencing. When in doubt, you can check a pediatric ENT professional’s certification on the American Board of Otolaryngology website for peace of mind. Be aware, though, that this will include all doctors with the certification and not just those who work with children, so double down on your research to ensure they have the specialized experience to work with your kid(s).
Bedside manner is an extremely important, though often overlooked, skill that some doctors have and some doctors don’t. This skill stems from having effective communication skills and being able to read a room such that a person knows what to say in what way and when. A doctor with these types of communication skills is valuable, so look at past reviews of the doctor you are considering and filter those reviews for people’s thoughts on their communication.
Depending on the injury or illness your child is suffering from, there may be a very real possibility of specialized procedures or hospitalization. Due to this, consider researching and finding a pediatric ENT who is affiliated with a reputable children’s hospital. As opposed to working only out of their private practice, it helps to guarantee that the doctor is familiar with the staff in the hospital and the facilities themselves. This also means the doctor has access to cutting-edge equipment rather than a courtesy hospital privilege that may limit the treatment they can provide on-site.
Before agreeing to make a pediatric ENT the care provider for your child, you should schedule an initial consultation so you can speak with them yourself and see how they interact with your child. As mentioned earlier, effective communication skills are critical for doctors, but they also need to know how to be patient, empathetic, and put your child at ease when tough matters are on the table. The only way you will be able to see first-hand whether or not they can accomplish this is by scheduling a face-to-face consultation. Some doctors may not take initial consultations, though, so be sure to research the office ahead of time and call them to check.
Whether you are in the middle of an initial consultation or actively at an appointment with your child, don’t hesitate to ask your pediatric ENT questions. Many of the topics, terms, and references they speak of and make may be foreign to you, but asking for clarification is never an issue. On top of this, try to be prepared with questions that are burning at the top of your mind so that you can know you had the most important items addressed from the very start. Below are a few sample questions that may be pertinent:
Far too often patients feel they are being nosy by asking their doctor questions, but it’s always better to ask than to sit and stay worried about your child.
As evident, pediatric ENTs are very important doctors who can address a range of issues children may experience around their ears, neck, and throat. It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle with an illness or injury, especially in these sensitive and pain-prone areas, which is why finding an accredited pediatric ENT should be a top priority. There are many doctors out there, but very few will meet your personal qualifications for your child which is perfectly acceptable. Take the time to find a doctor you can trust your child with and use all of the above tips, as well as your instincts, to ensure the professional you partner with will have the best interest of your child at the top of their mind.
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