THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR CHILD: MANAGING A CHRONIC ILLNESS
A child with a chronic medical condition may need to see a number of different professionals, not just doctors but also allied health professionals. This care may take place largely in hospital clinics, and his contact with doctors and other health professionals may not only be frequent, but also confusing or even overwhelming. It is very important for you as parents to feel in control of this process, and for you to understand the illness, its treatment, any tests and so on.
It is always useful to have one of your child’s doctors act as a central reference point, not only to co-ordinate the child’s care, but also to make sure that you (as well as the child) understand fully what is going on. Your child’s general practitioner is ideally placed to do this, and sometimes a paediatrician will also be helpful in this role. The co-ordinating doctor will normally have copies of all the medical reports and other relevant information about the child, and will be able to support the child and the family in coping with the chronic illness and its possible consequences.
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