As much as we believe in trusting doctors and medical professionals, we know the unfortunate reality: they’re not always right. Medical negligence is real – instances where patient concerns go unaddressed and undiagnosed.
It can be tricky when you’re a parent seeking care for your child. Kids can’t always accurately describe what they’re feeling or experiencing. Vague symptoms can lead to the wrong conclusions or dismissiveness. As a parent/guardian, your job is to be the voice for your child. Be their advocate.
Now, you might not be dealing with cancer. But pediatric cancer symptoms easily go undetected, and time is of the essence. It’s also better to be persistent when something doesn’t seem right!
If you feel something isn’t right, don’t ignore those feelings. Parents often have a strong intuition when something is off with their child. You know them better than anyone else! Trusting your instincts helps you stay alert to potential health issues and persist in seeking answers. Even if the signs are subtle, trust your gut.
Keep detailed records of your child’s symptoms, behaviors, medications, and any physical, behavioral, emotional, or otherwise changes. Document the timeline of symptoms, how they have evolved, and any treatments you’ve tried.
Write down any questions or concerns before each doctor’s visit and note the answers you receive. It helps make sure nothing gets missed and provides a reference for later appointments.
Compile your child’s complete medical history, including any previous diagnoses, surgeries, medications, and allergies. Starting from scratch with every doctor can be an exercise in frustration.
List all symptoms, how long they’ve been present, and the severity. Bring any supporting documents, such as test results, records from other doctors, or information from school or daycare about changes in behavior or development.
Communicate your concerns calmly but firmly. Use clear and specific language when describing symptoms. For example, rather than saying, “My child isn’t feeling well,” you could say, “My child has had persistent headaches for the past week that make it hard to concentrate and go to school.”
Don’t hesitate to ask for further clarification if something doesn’t make sense, and don’t accept vague answers if the situation warrants further investigation.
If a diagnosis or treatment plan doesn’t seem right, it’s okay to seek a second opinion from another healthcare professional. Different doctors may have different perspectives or approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Some may have more experience seeing certain conditions, while others might not have them on their radar.
Just be sure you’re getting this second opinion from qualified medical professionals.
Research your child’s symptoms and potential conditions, but try not to jump to a hard-and-fast diagnosis on your own. This can be inaccurate, limiting, and anxiety-inducing. Use reliable medical resources like the CDC, Mayo Clinic, or academic journals to gather information. From there, you can better communicate with your child’s medical team.
You’re not trying to “know better” than the doctors but to do your due diligence as an informed parent.
If you feel that a thorough evaluation is not being conducted, advocate for specific tests. For example, if a neurological issue is suspected, ask for a referral to a pediatric neurologist. Request specific labs or imaging studies to rule out other conditions.
If you feel the current doctor is not addressing your concerns, ask for a referral to a specialist. Keep going until your concerns are taken seriously.
Who else spends a lot of time with your child? Teachers, daycare providers, babysitters? They may notice different behaviors, patterns, or symptoms that could be important for a comprehensive understanding of your child’s health.
Ask them to document any changes they observe and share this information with you so you can convey the complete picture to their doctor.
As a parent, you have the right to advocate for your child’s care. This includes asking for more tests, second opinions, or additional treatments. You have rights as a patient and guardian! Always ask for what you need – documentation, explanation, further testing, etc.
Sometimes, getting the correct diagnosis or treatment can take time. The process may involve multiple visits or referrals. Don’t be discouraged if progress seems slow. Stay proactive and persistent in pursuing the care your child needs.
The more we can come together and advocate for our children before the medical community, the better we will be at early detection and taking medical concerns seriously.