Why are annual physicals important?

[crunchy_mommy]

We skipped DS's 15mo WBV & his 18mo was a complete waste of time & money...

We have a great doc (homeopath) and we don't vax (and doc is fine with that). I guess at the 18mo appt I wanted assurance that DS was on track -- I knew he was far ahead in terms of language etc. but wanted to make sure there were no developmental issues we were missing since he is my first & I'm never sure what is 'normal'. Well, all the doc did was ask me how much is he talking & eating. He doesn't examine DS (gets height/weight/head but doesn't listen to his heart/lungs or look in his ears) and he seems to just observe DS & see no obvious problems so never asks that long list of developmental questions I hear most pedis ask. We were in & out in 5 minutes (but doc was unusually busy that day, he spent almost an hour with us at previous appts).

I like having the WBV's on record, since we don't vax etc., I feel like it shows we're not negligent, but maybe I'm being paranoid.

I have a high copay & DH got laid off but I booked the appt a month after DS turns 2 so hopefully we'll be in a better financial position. But I'm already thinking of cancelling the appt.

But I am still concerned about DS not eating, and he is on the very small side (but DH & I are small too) and his growth has considerably slowed. I suspect DS has sensory issues & still wonder how on track he is with some things (although he remains ahead verbally and I think that throws off perception of things a bit). I don't know.

Anyway... DH & I don't do annual physicals for ourselves but I feel like we 'should' and I feel like DS 'should' too but at the same time, I don't really see the point. Is there a point???

[oaktreemama]

In my opinion a physical should include an actual-you know-physical. I rarely take my son to the doctor (and in fact we are switching to a Family Doc from our ped because I hate the ped's office) but when I do I expect them to really look him over.

I can tell myself if he has a fever or doesn't feel well. What I don't know is how to listen to his heart, check his organs, make sure his spine is ok, listen to his lungs, check his ears, eyes (and that check can also sometimes indicate brain problems), check his limbs...

Doctors do know more then me about certain aspects of my son's general well being. I would NOT be impressed with paying for that kind of visit.

[lalemma]

That kind of visit wouldn't be okay with me. I don't know how much training your homeopath has in early childhood development - have you asked? Do you feel comfortable trusting him as a subject-matter expert?

I agree 100% with the PP that the reason I take my healthy baby to WBV is because I am not an expert. There are so many things that can beeffectively caught if you get there early when it comes to childhood health and development. And I am not a doctor. I simply don't know what all of those things are, or how to look for them.

[Addie]

Originally Posted by lalemma 

That kind of visit wouldn't be okay with me. I don't know how much training your homeopath has in early childhood development - have you asked? Do you feel comfortable trusting him as a subject-matter expert?

I agree 100% with the PP that the reason I take my healthy baby to WBV is because I am not an expert. There are so many things that can beeffectively caught if you get there early when it comes to childhood health and development. And I am not a doctor. I simply don't know what all of those things are, or how to look for them.

I agree with all of this. OP, with the concerns you mentioned, I'd imagine you'd be much better off seeing a pediatrician or a family doctor. I can understand keeping a relationship open with a homeopath for the family, but I wouldn't be comfortable with the WBV that you described for my LO. Admittedly, DH and I have gone years since our last physicals, too - but we're also adults who have a greater awareness of how we're doing, you know?

[crunchy_mommy]

Well he is an MD/family doc, not 'just' a homeopath. And he has done things like a neurological exam for me, things like that. Maybe I will take him to the 2y checkup and see if he's more thorough -- and if not, maybe I will look into finding another doc for things like that & just see him for certain things. 

I did think it was odd that he didn't examine DS but I know he's very hands-off & informal -- he wears regular clothes and his office/exam room looks like someone's home office and he doesn't even have any nurses/med. assistants/secretaries... so I will assume he was just really rushed for the 18mo visit (and to be fair, I had to book a short time slot because he had no long 'physical' slots open. We only saw him 2x before that (9mo & 12mo, we had a different pedi prior to that) and he had also seen (and weighed etc.) DS during my own visits so... haha I'm making lots of excuses. OK. So I guess the 2y visit will be a great opportunity to see if we should even continue seeing this doc for routine stuff (which isn't even something I considered until you all pointed these things out, thanks!!) 

[colsxjack]

I would want them to at least check the eyes, ears, throat, listen to heart, check hip movement, feel the tummy area, etc. Then ask me questions and ask if I have any questions. Our NP does little developmental tests on our daughter (like show her a toy then hide it behind her back and bring it out in her clenched fists and see if our DD can figure out to look in her other hand...stuff like that). 

I would def. not be OK with a visit like that and we do not even pay for our visit in anything else but time it takes from our day. 

We live in Canada, and so doctor visits are covered by provincial health care. That is probably the reason I go for physicals. But I would hve to say, that as adults it is very important to go for physicals. The reason for physicals is so that they can catch something while the treatment is still very treatable. They can find cervical, testicular, colon and breast cancer very easily and early. Think of it as insurance.

I know several people who discovered pre-cancerous cells during a pap test and only had to go for a small biopsy and a "burn off" of the cells. No treatment otherwise. Much more devastating and expensive to get cancer. Even if it costs you $100/yr. That's much less than the thousands for cancer treatment or surgery. (or your life)

[Courtney-Ostaff]

My pediatrician does all those things too: checks the vitals, checks developmental issues, checks neurological issues (reflexes), hearing, and has a thorough battery of questions to ask me about developmental milestones.  

I also use my pediatrician as a resource for eating, sleeping, toilet training, and social behaviors, as well as attention and learning problems--which is usually just me being neurotic. :)  

You might find this helpful:

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pages/How-To-Choose-A-Pediatrician.aspx

I had a two-page list of questions when I picked my daughter's pediatrician, including whether or not they were board certified, etc.  I'm paying for a service, so I want that service to be the best possible one.

[crunchy_mommy]

He is board-certified & pretty well-respected (well, at least among the local AP community). I'm going to guess the 18mo was a fluke and hope this next visit is more on par with what I expect... Otherwise, I guess we have to search AGAIN for another doc (we are quickly running out of options.......) I'm glad to hear what you all expect from a WBV & to know that I'm not off-base with feeling his 18mo appt was a waste of time (and money!!) I think because I don't follow every recommendation (i.e. vaxing, abx, etc.) that I'm not quite sure what's appropriate of me to expect of a medical professional, if that makes sense. Like, I don't go to GYN appointments for myself because I don't see the point (I have never & probably will never get a pap done) and maybe I need to learn more about the other reasons to keep up with routine appointments. Dental cleanings are the only thing I'm really good at keeping up with these days.

[gbailey]

This is me. I also use our ped as a great resource. She is our 2nd one and she's very supportive and just wonderful.

OP, maybe you just need to find a ped who is more in line with your thinking and views? Our first ped was just a royal pain in the you know what but the current doc is great. She's fine with our choices and we share a lot of the same views about parenting. I've joked to DH that we can never move out of NY because we'd likely never find someone like her someplace else.

 

Originally Posted by Courtney-Ostaff 

My pediatrician does all those things too: checks the vitals, checks developmental issues, checks neurological issues (reflexes), hearing, and has a thorough battery of questions to ask me about developmental milestones.  

I also use my pediatrician as a resource for eating, sleeping, toilet training, and social behaviors, as well as attention and learning problems--which is usually just me being neurotic. :)  

You might find this helpful:

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pages/How-To-Choose-A-Pediatrician.aspx

I had a two-page list of questions when I picked my daughter's pediatrician, including whether or not they were board certified, etc.  I'm paying for a service, so I want that service to be the best possible one.

[Peony]

Oh man, I've been here before. When DD1 was that age, well a little younger we made the rounds around town trying to find a doc I liked AND did a through job. We went to a regular pedi, DOs, NDs, on and on. I was never fully happy with anyone, like one ND I liked very much but she just didn't do good assessments as well, it didn't work to have her the primary care doc. I actually gave up and we didn't have a doc for a few years, DD1 was 3 and then we needed one. I tried a pedi again, horrid experience and she was supposed to be a holistic one. NOT! My MW finally gave me a lead on one pedi in a large, busy practice in town that she said was different then the others. So when DD2 was born we went in once and checked her out, she was nice, but I was less then impressed with the whole office. Then DD2 became very ill, and that pedi became my new best friend, we were in and out of that office for 6 something months, weekly or multiple times a week, or in the hospital. It is 4 years later and now I no longer underestimate the difference a good relationship with a great doc can make. That pedi had fought for me on more issues with my children then I can count. It has turned out that all 3 of my children has some special needs, and she has gone out out of her way every single time to get us the help they need. I still hate the office but I will gladly put up with it for her. 

I guess my advice is to not give up, keep looking, if you are feeling off about this doc, it may be for a good reason. There will be someone out there, it just may not be easy finding that person. 

[EviesMom]

Since you knew you were booking a short check in appt for 18 mo rather than a full physical one, I wouldn't worry about it too much, actually. I'd go to the 2 year one, and state up front that you really want a full physical visit, etc. If they're not willing to do that when you request it and book enough time, then I would look for someone else. Our family doc always does all the stuff at yearly visits, but some of the baby ones every 3 months or whatever the schedule was, were shorter and more about "do you have any specific concerns" rather than a full visit.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by EviesMom 

Our family doc always does all the stuff at yearly visits, but some of the baby ones every 3 months or whatever the schedule was, were shorter and more about "do you have any specific concerns" rather than a full visit.

This is really what I'm hoping happened!!
 

All our views really are 'in line' for the most part -- he is 100% supportive of extended BF'ing, he is mostly against vaccinating, he's very VERY AP, he really trusts that we know ourselves (and our kid) best & believes in our instincts. I really would hate to lose him, and I have a serious mistrust of doctors in general... I think if he doesn't do the full exam I'll ask him why and go from there. (I can't check ahead of time because I book my own appointments online, there's no office staff to talk to or anything). :)

[MrsBone]

I don't take my DS to WBV anymore. I probably will here soon since he hasn't been since he was 16 mo, but I don't stay on schedule. I took him at 2 mo, 5 mo, 9 mo, 12 mo and 16 mo. He's 2 now, and we aren't vaxing, so I just don't take him unless he's sick. I don't know if it's right or wrong, I just don't see the point. Although, we are paying and exhorbitant amount for health insurance each month so maybe I should just to get our money's worth, lol! DH has to go to one doctor once a month and the other every 3 months, so I guess he's making up for the lack of DS and I going :)

[flightgoddess]

Since it seems you do have some concerns, go to the visit and ask them! If it is the beginning of a problem, getting help so soon would be beneficial. If you're not sure yet if it is a problem, the you and dr can set that as a 'baseline' and observe over the next months if there is a change for better or worse.