Talking With Your Child's Doctor

Here are some helpful questions to ask your child’s doctor.

• Do you have any written information that I can use to learn more about my child’s special health needs?

• What day and time is the surgery scheduled?
• When should I arrive?
• When can my child last eat and drink?
• Where do I wait while my child is in surgery?
• When will I learn that my child is out of surgery and what his/her condition is?
• Will there be any noticeable changes to my child’s body?
• How long will he be in the hospital after surgery?
• What will hurt?
• Do I need to schedule a follow-up appointment with a pediatrician after my child is discharged?
• Who do I ask to talk to if I have questions about my child’s follow-up care?

Medicine

• What is the name of the medicine? What is the medicine for?
• Is it safe to give if my child has allergies or adverse reactions to some medicine? Is the dose correct for my child’s weight?
• When we go home, how am I supposed to give it? What time each day? With or without food? What is the best way to measure my child’s liquid medicine?
• If my child is still taking the medicine once we go home, how long should my child continue taking it? When should I see an improvement?
• What side effects may occur? What do I do if they occur?
• Is the medicine safe to give with other medicines or dietary supplements? What food, drink or activities should my child avoid while taking the medicine?
• Who do I call if I have questions about the medicine?

Support

• Are there any support groups where I can connect with other parents?
• Do you know of any other local or Internet-based resources?