Pediatric Care: Should My Teen Keep Seeing a Pediatrician?

Over 300 million people celebrate their 18th birthday each year.

Aside from potentially leaving the next, there are questions that come with adulthood, such as what pediatric care should your teenager seek? When is it time for young adults to visit adult doctors?

If you have a teenager on the verge of becoming a young adult, and you want to keep them healthy, here are a few things to think about before deciding to find a new doctor.

Age

At one point, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended children see their pediatrician until the age of 18. In recent years, this shifted to age 21. While this is just a recommendation, your child’s maturity and age may not always align, and your pediatrician will happily see your child past the ages of 18-21.

However, if you have a young adult still living at home and needs emergency care, most emergency rooms send people over the age of 18 to the regular ER.

Adolescent Health Problems

Some children have specific health problems that they feel comfortable discussing with their pediatrician. For example, mental health issues, diseases like diabetes, or other chronic illnesses. Transitioning over to an adult doctor isn’t the easiest shift to make when you’ve received Pediatric Care for many years regarding your illness.

A pediatrician who’s familiar with your child’s medical history may prove resourceful during a time when there are many external changes.

Convenience

When teenagers become young adults they may wish to transition to an adult doctor if they choose to move out of state for college. But for those who are staying in town, keeping their pediatrician might prove convenient for them. With all the changes that happen between being a teenager and becoming a young adult, they may feel more comfortable seeing their pediatrician.

Doctor’s Preference

When it comes down to whether or not your child should continue seeing your pediatric care specialist, it may depend largely on the pediatrician. While some gladly continue seeing patients, others suggest moving on to an adult doctor, especially if the child is healthy.

This is a conversation to have between your pediatrician, your teenager, and you. Weigh the pros and cons, and reasons why your child may want to consider seeing their current doctor. Your pediatrician can make recommendations on what path to take.

Talking to Your Teen

When your teenager officially becomes an adult at the age of 18, they can have a say in their medical decisions. They may wish to continue seeing their pediatrician if possible or move on to an adult doctor. If they want to visit an adult doctor, you can help your child find the best adult doctor wherever they’re living.

Pediatric Care For Your Teenager

Finding the right pediatric care for your teenager as they transition to adulthood is an important task. Knowing how, if, and when to make that choice is one that isn’t easily answered. Asking the right questions to your pediatrician and teenager helps you in making this decision.

Do you want to learn more about keeping your teenager healthy and happy? Visit our lifestyle page today for more healthy tips.