Need input on what to ask a psychiatrist
Our child (4 yrs old) will be seeing a psychiatrist in a couple weeks and I would like some input on what kind of "interview" questions we should ask. You can find info about our child's situation here. We don't have many choices of doctors in the area that treat children but I also don't want to take him to one that is not competent. If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated!
how many children does the dr see for adhd.
how the dr screens for adhd or other l.d.'s
what kind of opinion the dr has on adhd (lot's of dr's don't like to med younger children)
how many times the dr wants to see your child a month (meaning does the dr want to drain the pocket book)
how the dr deals with emergencies (can you call the dr if there is a problem of will they just tell you to go to the er, my son's dr let's us call him at home with any problems)
how long does it take to get in for a follow up, you don't want to wait for several months.
how does the doctor deal with refills, do you have to go in to pick up a rx or will they do refills on one script, does the dr charge you to pick up a script for refill.
how long has the dr been in practice and how long the dr has been in practice with children
what kind of training qualifies them to work with children.
what doctor fills in or takes his calls while the dr is no on call.
will the on call dr make you go to the er or can you call the dr yourself.
hope this helps. I always go overboard with the questions to ask. Remember, you are choosing the doctor, the doctor doesn't choose you. You will be employing this doctor to give your child medications if necessary, so you can ask the dr anything you want until you are satisfied. Be smarter than the doctor, remember, you are just as smart as the doctor, you just chose a different career path.
Are you seeing a Child Psychiatrist or a General Psychiatrist?
I would also make sure his philosophies on dealing with ADHD are the same as yours. If you go non-meds, how is he prepared to assist you? In what ways is he more experienced in dealing with this? Does his answers match yours? Well I would like to say that Ogram is on top of it! Good questions to ask. The only thing that I would like to add is, if your child is more confortable with a man find a man doc. if more confortable with a girl find a girl doc. Good luck. - AlwildaGreat questions ogram! I hadn't thought about the prescriptions needing to be picked up...this doctor is 40 miles away. I also hadn't thought about the emergency situations. Neither husband or I are afraid to ask questions. The doc may charge us double by the time we are through...haha...
This doc is a child psychiatrist. There were only 2 on the insurance list that were "close". The rest are 100 miles away or more. I am hoping we have picked a good one to start with, but I won't accept him blindly. Hence the need for questions...
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