Your Child's Clinic Visit

Talking with Your Child's Doctor

Here are some helpful questions to ask your child's doctor.

Condition

Do you have written info that I can use to learn more about my child's condition?

Treatment

Can you explain what will be done today?
Whom should I talk with if I have questions about my child's care?
When and how will I learn about my child's test results?
Do I need to schedule a follow-up appointment?
Whom do I call in case of an emergency? Whom do I call when the clinic is closed?

Medicine

What is the name of the medicine? What is the medicine for?
Is it safe to give if my child has allergies or reactions to some medicine? Is the dose correct for my child's weight?
How am I supposed to give it? What time each day? With or without food? What is the best way to measure my child's liquid medicine?
How long should my child take the medicine? When should I see an improvement?
What are the side effects? What do I do if my child has seen them?
Is the medicine safe to give with other medicines or dietary supplements? What food, drink or activities should my child avoid while taking the medicine?
Whom do I call if I have questions about the medicine?

Support

Are there any support groups where I can connect with other parents?
Do you know of any other local or online resources?

Seattle Children’s complies with applicable federal and other civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people or treat them differently based on race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry), age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.