At what age should my teenager go from pediatrician to regular family doctor?

Question

My 14 year old needs a physical for sports. I tried getting an appointe with our pediatrician whiom I think very highly of. Of course they can't get her in in time for sports to start so I have to take a different pediatrician that is in the same office (but I don't know them). Now I am thinking I should just have her see my doctor, who is a female family physician that sees babies as well as grown ups. What would you do? Different pediatrician or family physician. Once I change I have to get the papers transfered.

Answer 1

she can be seen by a family doc they can see anyone and trained to see children also but for a regular doc she must be 18. But family doc by any age good luck

Answer 2

For a physical it doesn't really matter which doctor they see as long as they are liscensed. For my sports physicals i even went to a nurse practitioner so i could make an appointment and go in either that day or the next....

Answer 3

our pediatrician sees kids till they are 18,,,i have no need or desire to change till then.

Answer 4

It should be fine to transfer her now if she's healthy, no issues, etc... My kids see a PA and family doctor for every well checkup and if they're sick, but one daughter (15) has serious condition and does see pediatric specialists at a Children's Hosp.

Answer 5

I would say at 14 she is fine to switch to your doctor. My kids are 7 and 9 and they see my female family doctor. Our pediatrician misdiagnosed my youngest twice with big things not little issues. So I switched them to my doctor. She has 4 kids of her own and figure that counts for a lot as well.

Answer 6

A family doctor or general practitioner can see anyone. A pediatrician is just a doctor with a specialty in children.

Answer 7

I would go for the family doctor it isn't going to be too much longer before she outgrows the pediatrician anyway.