Many parents spend months deciding who their child’s pediatrician will be before their child is even born. Their child will have many well child visits, as well as sick visits, with their pediatrician throughout their childhood.
As they continue to grow and develop, they will eventually graduate from the care of their pediatrician. Different pediatricians have different ages that they stop seeing children, but most are 18 to 21 years of age.
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SSM Health family medicine physician Dr. Carly Salter said, "It is important for parents to help their child to plan ahead to prevent them from being without a primary care physician/provider (PCP) once they reach that age. Selecting a Family Medicine or Internal Medicine provider six months to a year in advance will prevent them from going without a PCP and missing out on preventive health care that keeps them healthy."
When deciding on a new PCP, there are many considerations. First, reading the potential new PCP’s medical interests and areas of expertise can be helpful. Then, make sure that they are accepting new patients and are covered by the family’s insurance. If the child is planning to go to college or will be working somewhere outside of their hometown, it can be important to make sure that their healthcare needs can still be addressed. If they are moving somewhere within the state, a PCP that does video visits could be helpful if something comes up while they are away and they are unable to come back. Or, if they are living out of state, it is important to have a first visit to establish before they leave the state.
When preparing a young adult for their first appointment with a new PCP, it is important that they know the appropriate information. Dr. Salter commented, "They need to come prepared. They should know the medications that they take, allergies, personal medical history, and family medical history. If transferring to a new health system, verify a release of information with their pediatrician has been completed so that they can send the patient’s medical history to their new PCP."
Another important detail is that once they are 18 years old, they do not need their parent to come to their appointments with them, but they are welcome to bring them, if they wish. A release of information would need to be completed if they would like their parent to speak with the medical team once they turn 18 years old.
This can all feel overwhelming for both parents and children. Having a plan will ensure a smooth transition. It is important to prepare children by encouraging them to engage in their appointments from a young age so that it feels more comfortable to them once they are young adults.
Start the search for your teenager's primary care provider today.
