Last week I wanted to have my son pee in a cup because his urine smelled strange and strong, so I called his pediatrician to arrange it. Happy to tell you what transpired by PM, but... Long story short- she wouldn't do it the way I was asking for, and I made an appointment with a new doctor right before the old one told me she didn't want us as patients anymore. Too late, Ms. Personality- I quit!
The new doctor, who stands head and shoulders above the old one when it comes to compassion and bedside manner, is Dr. Marion Owen of Whole Family Medicine (thanks for the recommendation, pigpokey!)
*So you know- my son HATES going to the doctor. His personality is that he is slow to warm up to people, but his experiences with his ped had ruined him for doctors. During my son's last exam before this, the old ped had him so freaked out that he was screaming and sobbing in my arms. She had no compassion for him, and gave me a dirty look as if there was something wrong with him! I'll never forgive myself for letting her do everything to him when he was so terrified of her.*
Our appointment with Dr. Owen was so relaxed and pleasant! Random things I liked about her:
when I told her we do not vaccinate, she said "I will never hassle you about that. I have patients who make all kinds of different choices about vaccinating."
She did mention signing The Paper, which I'll do. But we forgot on this visit.
She immediately came up with a theory about the cause of a cough dd has had, off and on, for a long time. The most our old ped could think of was "Maybe she's doing it for attention."
When I took ds to the bathroom to pee in the cup, she told me not to retract him. I'm so happy that here is a doctor who does not demonize the foreskin!
Dr. Owen was wonderful with the kids. I had mentioned ds's phobia of doctors ahead of time, and as soon as he started acting scared, she told him he did not have to be examined if he did not want to! What a change from the old ped. Dr. Owen was so kind & friendly that she had him walking onto the scale by himself, and allowing her to examine him on the table. He let her tickle him, and he smiled and laughed through the exam.
She said she likes to treat the whole family, so DP and I will definitely be going to her as well. She did say that her patient roster is filling up fast, so if you are contemplating a switch, make an appointment soon.
I just wish she was closer, but as the previous ped proved, proximity means nothing. I'll drive the 20 extra minutes for a superior doctor!
The new doctor, who stands head and shoulders above the old one when it comes to compassion and bedside manner, is Dr. Marion Owen of Whole Family Medicine (thanks for the recommendation, pigpokey!)
*So you know- my son HATES going to the doctor. His personality is that he is slow to warm up to people, but his experiences with his ped had ruined him for doctors. During my son's last exam before this, the old ped had him so freaked out that he was screaming and sobbing in my arms. She had no compassion for him, and gave me a dirty look as if there was something wrong with him! I'll never forgive myself for letting her do everything to him when he was so terrified of her.*
Our appointment with Dr. Owen was so relaxed and pleasant! Random things I liked about her:
when I told her we do not vaccinate, she said "I will never hassle you about that. I have patients who make all kinds of different choices about vaccinating."
She did mention signing The Paper, which I'll do. But we forgot on this visit.
She immediately came up with a theory about the cause of a cough dd has had, off and on, for a long time. The most our old ped could think of was "Maybe she's doing it for attention."
When I took ds to the bathroom to pee in the cup, she told me not to retract him. I'm so happy that here is a doctor who does not demonize the foreskin!
Dr. Owen was wonderful with the kids. I had mentioned ds's phobia of doctors ahead of time, and as soon as he started acting scared, she told him he did not have to be examined if he did not want to! What a change from the old ped. Dr. Owen was so kind & friendly that she had him walking onto the scale by himself, and allowing her to examine him on the table. He let her tickle him, and he smiled and laughed through the exam.
She said she likes to treat the whole family, so DP and I will definitely be going to her as well. She did say that her patient roster is filling up fast, so if you are contemplating a switch, make an appointment soon.
I just wish she was closer, but as the previous ped proved, proximity means nothing. I'll drive the 20 extra minutes for a superior doctor!
