Adolescence is a period when growth and development are significant and impactful. That is why children in this age group are more prone to problems that affect their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.
Seeing an adolescent medicine physician is a great way to help your child transition smoothly from childhood to adulthood. An adolescent medicine physician is a medical doctor who specializes in addressing all the physical, emotional, and mental healthcare needs of adolescents.
If you are searching for the best adolescent medicine physician for your child and are unsure how to find one, the following tips can help you.
Tip #1 Ask Around
When seeking the best adolescent medicine physician for your child, you don’t have to do all the searching and choosing alone. Instead, you can get recommendations from your primary care provider, such as family physicians, OB/GYN, internal medicine specialist, or pediatrician.
It’s important to note that adolescent medicine is a subspecialty of medical specialties, such as family medicine, advanced pediatrics, and internal medicine. So, it’s a good idea to ask your family medicine doctor, pediatrician or internal medicine doctor if they offer healthcare services for adolescents.
You can also get recommendations from your family members, friends, or neighbors who have an adolescent seeing an adolescent medicine specialist.
Tip #2 Consider the Credentials
Education, experience, training, and board certification of an adolescent medicine physician are key elements in establishing their level of competence. Therefore, before choosing an adolescent medicine physician for your child, ensure they have completed specialized residency training in family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics; passed a certification exam in one of these medical specialties; and completed specialized training in adolescent medicine.
It is beneficial to check if the adolescent medicine specialist has received certification in adolescent medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Pediatrics, or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.
Tip #3 Check Reviews and Ratings
Read online reviews and ratings to get an idea of the physician’s reputation among patients and patient satisfaction. This will also provide insight into how the physician practices medicine, the practice’s environment, staff friendliness, and appointment wait times. While reviews and ratings can be helpful, it is important to remember that experience can vary from person to person, and one negative or positive review about the adolescent medicine physician may not provide a comprehensive picture.
Tip #4 Considered the Personal Characteristics of The Adolescent Medicine Physician
When it comes to certain factors such as age, gender, communication style, etc., do not hesitate to be selective, as these factors can influence your physician’s ability to build rapport with your teen.
It is best to choose an adolescent medicine physician who shares your and your child’s views on certain medical issues, who respects your child’s preferences, and whose demeanor is most compatible with you and your child.
For this, set a meet-and-greet session with your potential adolescent medicine physicians.
Tip #5 Consider Your Insurance Coverage
Even if you find an adolescent medicine physician with the right experience, who is conveniently located, compassionate, and clicks with your adolescent, you probably won’t want to choose them if they do not accept your insurance plan and you have to pay out of pocket for every visit. So, choosing an adolescent medicine physician that participates in your insurance plan is wise.
As you select the adolescent medicine practice that is in network with your insurance plan, you should still consider the experience and credentials of doctors and the quality of care provided at the practice.
Adolescent Medicine Physician in Central and South Florida
At Premier Medical Group, we are proud to offer comprehensive healthcare services to people of all ages, including children, teens, women, men, and older adults in the greater areas of central and South Florida. We provide family medicine services, women’s health services, pediatric services, geriatric services, preventive services, weight management, diabetes management, and chronic disease management, among others.
If you would like to know more about us or want to schedule a meet-and-greet session with one of our highly trained and skilled medical providers, please call us today at (305) 273-9100 or request your visit online.