Welcoming Pediatric Patients Into Your Practice

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How can surgeons welcome pediatric patients into their office?
 
Availability and accessibility are essential, said Dr. Williams, the Director of the Pediatric Foot and Lower Extremity Center at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, CA.
 
“By readily being available to answer questions and concerns about ongoing care, we oftentimes have the ability to reduce parental anxiety,” she elaborated. “We too, by being accessible, can reduce undesired visits to emergency departments or urgent care centers.”
 
When it comes to increasing the volume of pediatric patients in one’s practice, Dr. Williams stresses that medical and surgical expertise are only part of the equation.
 
“A surgeon must not only be experienced, surgically sound, and knowledgeable, they too must be able to put themselves on a kid’s level and be compassionate,” she said. “The dynamics of treating kids requires a practitioner to speak to the child while also being an excellent communicator with parents and various family infrastructures. This is quite different than treating adults.”
 
Are there any particular pearls you’d like to share for making younger patients feel at ease and trusting of their care?
 
For a child to feel welcome in a medical practice, Dr. Williams shared that the office itself must inspire that perception.
 
“Oftentimes, treatment rooms can be intimidating and are developed for the adult patient,” she explained. “Toys that are stimulating, while also encouraging children to do what you want them to do or demonstrate during an exam helps, too.”
 
Anything else you’d like to add in the context of your talk at the ACFAS ASC?
 
The rewards of treating this population can be plentiful, according to Dr. Williams.
 
“Treating children along with their families, brings me great joy,” she noted. “There is nothing better than being part of a child’s journey and watching them become their best self.”