Choosing the best paediatrician is crucial because such a specialist doctor takes care of your child’s overall health and development. For the residents of North Bengal and nearby North-Eastern states, Siliguri is one of the most convenient locations to seek healthcare services, including paediatric care. However, if you are looking to choose the best child specialist doctor in Siliguri for your child, there are certain factors to consider.
In this blog, you will learn about the 5 must-ask questions before choosing a paediatrician, which will help ensure that your child receives the best paediatric care.
Explore The 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Choosing a Child Specialist Doctor
Below are the 5 must-ask questions to consider before choosing a paediatrician in Siliguri:
Q1. Do you provide emergency paediatric care?
This is an important question to ask because not all paediatricians are emergency specialists. Paediatric emergency services hold tremendous significance because they address severe health issues in children. It is advisable to choose a paediatrician who provides emergency care for children, because if the same doctor is doing your child’s regular checkups, then in case of any emergencies, the same doctor can respond quickly due to proactive knowledge of your child’s health condition and illness.
Q2. Do you advise parents on children’s holistic development?
This question needs to be considered with priority because children’s development is not just confined to physical growth and well-being, but it also includes mental health, nutrition, social behaviour, and healthy eating habits. The role of parents is significant in terms of ensuring holistic development in children because children often imitate what they learn from their parents. Therefore, parents need to gain valuable tips and knowledge related to holistic development in children from expert advice given by a child specialist doctor.
Q3. What is the average waiting time for appointments?
When it comes to your child’s health, time is valuable. Thus, having a long waiting time for a paediatric appointment is not feasible. One of the major reasons to choose a paediatrician who provides immediate or quick appointments is that sometimes minor issues in children can become a major concern if not addressed quickly. For example, a common cold might lead to the development of pneumonia in children if timely clinical intervention is not given.
Q4. Do you handle vaccination schedules?
A vaccination schedule is important because timely immunisations ensure maximum effectiveness and protection against diseases, such as polio, measles, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. The immune system in children becomes stronger due to timely vaccinations. Thus, you need to check whether the paediatrician handles vaccination schedules based on providing timely reminders over calls or messages.
Q5. Do you use minimally invasive techniques?
This question is crucial because children’s bodies are delicate and in the growing stages. Thus, you need to check whether the paediatrician specialises or uses minimally invasive techniques so that during a potential requirement for any type of surgery, your child experiences less pain. In addition, minimally invasive techniques reduce the risk of complications and promote faster recovery.
Most Common Symptoms that Might Need a Paediatric Visit Without a Delay
Here are the most common symptoms in children that should not be ignored:
- High or persistent fever: If your child is experiencing a high fever (104℉ for older children), then it might be due to underlying infections or conditions. On the other hand, any fever in infants can be potentially dangerous. It is highly advisable to visit a paediatrician if you observe a high or persistent fever in your child, so that the underlying cause can be accurately diagnosed and complications can be avoided.
- Respiratory issues: This symptom is characterised by your child experiencing difficulties with breathing, such as rapid breathing or noisy breathing. In addition, respiratory issues can be identified by wheezing or blue lips in children. Lastly, if your child is experiencing a persistent cough for more than two weeks, then it is important to pay a visit to a child specialist doctor near you.
- Unusual behaviour or continuous low energy: This symptom is based on your child demonstrating extreme irritation, uncontrolled crying, extreme lethargy, or unusual sleep behaviour. There might be underlying causes that require clinical attention, which are leading to such behaviour or low energy. An experienced paediatrician can diagnose both mental health and physical health issues in children.
- Unexplained weight loss or poor growth: If you observe that your child is demonstrating slow growth as compared to his/her peers, then it might be due to certain conditions, such as hormonal imbalances, malnutrition, constitutional delay, or genetic conditions. Thus, it becomes important to get a thorough checkup done by a paediatrician to ensure early detection and timely treatment. In addition, unexplained weight loss can be caused by such conditions as well.
- Gastrointestinal issues: Diarrhoea, vomiting, less urination, and dehydration can be caused by gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms should not be ignored, as dehydration can be a serious medical concern. In addition, if your child is refusing to eat or drink for longer periods, then it might be due to gastrointestinal issues as well. Thus, seeking paediatric assistance in such conditions becomes a necessity.
Final Thoughts
In Siliguri, there are several paediatricians available for consultation or visit. However, the key is to choose an experienced paediatrican so that long-term care can be ensured for your children. Thus, you need to ask relevant questions before finalising a child specialist doctor in Siliguri. This is because children’s growth and development require continuous monitoring and support. By asking the 5 questions mentioned in this blog, you can choose the best paediatrician in this region, such as Dr Sumita Mishra.
Are you looking to ensure holistic growth and development for your child? Consult the best paediatric doctor near you now.
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