Fear of the doctor
Betsy of Fluffy Windover's Diary discusses doctor visits in this week's Toddler Thursday:
As I mentioned in my last post, Edwin had a difficult visit at the pediatrician. He didn’t want to go (what kid does?) and on the way over he kept saying, “Maybe the doctor’s is locked.” He refused to let go of me to get on the scale or to be measured. Eventually I had to hold him and stand on the scale, and then weigh myself to get his weight. As I was struggling to calm him down and convince him to do what he had to, the nurse just stood there and did nothing. Maybe it was my imagination, but she seemed slightly annoyed. Now, I realize that this is my son and I should be able to get him to do what he’s supposed to do. But it’s not every day that I have to get his weight and height when he is scared and in a strange place. On the other hand, it IS every day that this nurse has to get kids’ weights and heights when they’re scared and in a strange place. So it surprised me that she didn’t seem to have a good rapport with kids.
Compare this to our first visit to the dentist. I was worried, given Edwin’s history, that it would be a challenge. But he LOVED it, thanks to the hygienist. I have never seen my son pay such rapt attention to someone. She knew just what she was doing. She had him wrapped around her finger; he looked at her like she was pure magic. She knew all the tricks to get Edwin’s attention and get him to happily jump into that chair and open his mouth (which he did). The next day he received a Snoopy card in the mail from her which said, “Great job, buddy!” When I told him who it was from, his eyes got so wide and his smile so big, it was like he had just seen Santa Claus.
I left the pediatrician’s office feeling like a failure, like I should have been able to convince Edwin to buck up and get down to business. I followed all the advice of how to calm a child’s fear of the doctor, and Edwin was still terrified and wouldn’t let go of me (he eventually calmed down—the actual pediatrician is very good with kids and Edwin was giggling in no time.) I think it may have been the nurse’s chilly demeanor that made him so nervous. After visiting the dentist I realized that people who work in pediatric medical offices ought to have the skills to put children at ease about seeing the doctor. After all, this is something they do every day, while most parents only do it a few times a year. Is it me, or does it seem unusual to encounter a nurse at a pediatrician’s office who seems to have no toddler-calming skills?
(If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist, email me at betsy.bartow@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to give you the office info. The dentist himself is great, too.)
Comments
Not to be rude but as a parent I really think that picture needs to be taken off, it is very inappropriate to have a picture of a little boy standing in a chair with his pants down with a male doctor and his parent(s) not even in the room at that. Maybe im tripping but that picture really bothers me!!!!
Posted by: Ms. Dorsey | April 9, 2011 9:19 PM