Pediatrics is a health specialization that deals with the medical care and treatment of children from birth to 18 years of age. The medical professionals, who treat children, are known as pediatricians. They have to complete four years of medical college and three years of residency. Additionally, they must fulfill the licensing requirements of their state to practice their profession. Many pediatricians also get a voluntary certification that they regularly renew to get continuous professional education and keep up with developments in the pediatrics field.

If you are looking for a Jacksonville pediatrics clinic to provide primary care for your child, you should research the clinics in your area well before you register your child. Among the different things you need to consider for selecting the right clinic, the foremost are the treatments available there. You want to make sure that the clinic can provide the specific medical care that your child requires.

Various Treatments Offered in Pediatrics

Many clinics provide a list of their services on their websites. So, it is a simple matter to browse through the site and check what they offer. If the list does not include your child’s condition, you can call up the staff or the pediatrician and inquire if they can provide the necessary care. They may be able to accommodate you, or they may suggest a nearby pediatrics specialist who can.

Let us look at some of the treatments that infants, toddlers, adolescents, and teens can receive in a Jacksonville pediatrics clinic:

• Wellness check-ups
• Vision and hearing exams
• Diagnostic tests for health issues
• Illness and chronic condition treatments
• Lab testing
• Stitches and medication administration
• IV fluid administration
• Vaccination administration
• Injuries and burns treatment
• Fractures and dislocations treatment
• Overnight observation
• Respiratory and BMI monitoring
• Prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, and other medications
• Evaluations for physical, mental, and behavioral development
• Appropriate healthcare advice for patients and parents
• Recommendations for specialists for further treatment

Some pediatrics clinics may have pediatricians who specialize in areas like:

• Adolescent medicine
• Critical care
• Developmental behavior
• Oncology,
• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Neonatal care
• Perinatal care
• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Child abuse

The Jacksonville pediatrics clinic should also offer emergency care for of falls, injuries, high fevers, and other conditions that might occur overnight. It is advisable to ask if the clinic accepts same-day or last-minute appointments for emergencies. Some clinics may offer these services only for patients registered with them. You should also ask the pediatrician if they do phone or video consultations for more minor issues. Additionally, you should inquire if they can accept your insurance coverage.

How to choose a pediatrician

Along calling or visiting the pediatrician to get the necessary information about their services, you can check online patient testimonials, reviews, and ratings. If your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances also take their children to the pediatrician, you can also ask them about their experiences with them. It can give you a clear idea about what to expect if you register their child with them. You can also take your child to the pediatrician’s office and observe how they behave toward them and how comfortable your child appears with them.

Some of the things you should look for in a pediatrician are:

• Polite, friendly, and kind attitude
• Calm and tolerant behavior
• Competent and knowledgeable
• Positive and supportive
• Approachable and easy to talk
• Ready to listen to parental concerns
• Able to calm and comfort children
• Agreeable to answer questions
• Willing to explain medical details
• Open-minded about alternative treatments

It is likely that you may retain their services until your child grows up. That is why it is crucial to find a pediatrician with whom you can get along.

When to See a Pediatrician

Parents of infants may have to take their children to the pediatrics clinic quite frequently. The general recommendation is to get wellness checks done at least seven times in the baby’s first year. Young children may benefit from getting check-ups every three or six months. Adolescents and teens can go at least once a year.

If your child has a very high fever or a fever accompanies by seizures, breathlessness, pain, or confusion, you should call 911 and take your child to the emergency room.