As a parent, it’s important to give utmost care to your child’s health, physical behavior, and mental state. In light of that, as soon as a child is born, parents approach the best pediatrician they can find and afford, who is perfect for the treatment of children.
A good pediatrician is essential when it comes to the health and wellness of children. Therefore, they can easily become a sign of comfort and safety for the children. This may continue for a long time, sometimes way too long!
In several instances, these children develop a bond that goes well into their adulthood. So, how old is too old to see your pediatrician, and why do some adults still prefer to do so?
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The Common Misconception
Here’s a statement – ‘One should only approach a pediatrician until the age of 18 years.’ Now, this statement is a common misconception that tags along in this line of medical care. Sure, pediatricians are best advisable for children. However, there is no rule which says that a patient must switch to another ‘adult’ doctor once they reach adulthood.
A good pediatrician has enough experience to provide care to every age group. Additionally, they often recruit nurses who specialize in pediatrics. Several reputed universities provide online courses in Doctor of nursing practice in Pediatrics to encourage BSN students seeking to provide primary and acute healthcare needs of different patients. With such advanced training and curriculum, they can efficiently treat a wide scope of patients.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Baylor University is one of the top DNP Nursing Schools that provides an online Doctor of Nursing Practice – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (DNP – PNP) program. They have designed both Primary Care and dual Primary/Acute Care programs. Their curriculum prepares nursing professionals for a variety of situations and care environments.
The decision when the patient is ready to see an adult doctor is best determined by the patient, their family, or the pediatrician.
However, this wasn’t always the case. In 1938, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that patients be under 18 years of age. The recommended age for ending pediatric care was extended to 21 years in 1969. Finally, in 2017, the upper age limit for pediatric care was completely eliminated. The rationale was – “Transition to adult care should be specific to patient needs, not an arbitrary number.”
The Hassle
It is hard to find a medical practitioner who has been there for a long time and one who you can trust and feel safe around. Some people don’t want to let go of that feeling. There could be a variety of reasons why adults prefer to visit their pediatricians. For adults dealing with developmental or intellectual disabilities, changing doctors could be too much of a hassle.
Other adults simply have found the perfect doctor and have not gotten around to looking for a new one. People with lifelong conditions such as sickle cell disease, congenital heart defects, or cystic fibrosis find it especially difficult to let go of their pediatrician and move to adult care. Most patients find their old pediatricians more friendly and personable, which is a big reason for them to stay.
This clearly shows the importance of pediatric care. Students with a nursing degree who are interested in this line of work must consider a career as a pediatrician. There are so many amazing options to choose from when it comes to getting a DNP degree.
The Challenge
As a patient with a chronic condition grows older, a well-established relationship is already formed between the pediatrician and the child’s family. An even stronger connection gets built between the doctor and the various other specialists who were helping to manage the patient for all this time.
So, the challenge is to recreate this bond and compatibility. Estimates show that it can be hard to find a primary care doctor who can put the same amount of effort and focus into you that you are used to with your pediatrician for all this time.
The Window
The late teens and early twenties are too late to make a significant change. They might be right! There’s already a lot going on in their lives, and they might need stability when it comes to their health practitioners. It has been seen that people who keep seeing their pediatrician till they are in their twenties tend to continue later on.
A common reason for this could be insurance that can keep grown-up patients with their pediatricians. In many states, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers pediatric care up to the age of 20. This leads to the patients postponing their transition up until that age.
When they started off as children, they were on family insurance plans. So, naturally, they would want to be a part of that plan for as long as possible. These children – who are adults now – can remain on their family’s insurance plan until the age of 26. So to save money, these young adults sometimes miss the window to switch and keep seeing their pediatricians.
Conclusion
One must not be forced to do something they don’t feel comfortable with, as long as it is not leading to a negative scenario. Seeing your pediatrician as an adult could be taboo, but if it works for you, you should go for it.
Changes could be hard, but sometimes, they are important. As a patient, you must take your time. Once you feel like you can move on and take full charge of your health, make a sound decision with a good understanding of your health and financial situation.
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