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Children are in no hurry to treat children here: a visit to a pediatrician in New York through the eyes of a Russian-speaking mother

'25.05.2021'

Source: The 50 Shades of New York Blog on Yandex.Zen

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The Russian-speaking immigrant has been living in New York with her child for several years now and decided to share her experience of visiting a pediatrician in the United States. She told about this in her the blog “50 shades of New York” on “Yandex. Zen”.

Photo: Shutterstock

“At first it even seemed to me that the United States did not take children and their illnesses seriously, but over time I realized that the doctors of this country do not like empty unrest,” writes the immigrant.

Accepted outside the hospital

The first feature that surprises our people in the United States is that pediatricians are seen not in the hospital, but in the office. There is a play area nearby to keep the little ones busy and entertained if you arrive early for an appointment or need to fill out paperwork.

“The walls in the corridors are pasted over with children's drawings, and there is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere inside the building. The medical staff greets parents with wide smiles, and communicates with little patients in a playful way. Sullen faces are rare here.

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When I visited a pediatric practice for the first time, I thought at first that I had made a mistake with the address, without feeling the seriousness to which I was used to in Russian polyclinics, ”the author writes.

There is a doctor on duty

Although pediatricians have their own schedule, the hospital always has a doctor on duty who is available at any time of the day.

“You can call and get advice on issues related to children's health. If necessary, the attendant connects you with the doctor watching the baby, - says the mother. - I liked that communication always takes place in a very polite manner. Doctors try their best to calm the worried parent. But consultation outside working hours may be subject to a fee. The cost of one call varies between $ 20- $ 40. Although, I think, the child's health and their own peace of mind justify the possible expenses. And you don't have to wait for an appointment to get a consultation. "

Also, our immigrants are very surprised that a doctor cannot be called to the house, even during working hours.

“There are no district pediatricians in the country. No matter how the kid feels, he will have to be taken to practice on his own. An ambulance is paid in the USA, at least $ 400, and is called only in extremely difficult cases, ”the author said.

Take their time to knock down the temperature

American pediatricians do not even consider 39 ° C a reason for panic.

“An antipyretic agent is prescribed if a child experiences atypical weakness, refuses to eat, or cannot sleep. Unaccustomed, this approach is confusing and nervous. I'm used to the fact that in Russia the temperature is knocked down as soon as it goes over 37,5 ° C, - the immigrant notes. - In the US, parents are advised not to focus on thermometer readings. You should focus solely on the appearance and behavior of the baby.

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American doctors regularly remind parents that fever during illness is a good sign, meaning that the child's body is able to cope with the virus on its own. And external intervention in the form of an antipyretic can reduce the activity of the immune system. "

Have a negative attitude towards self-medication

Since in our countries they like to treat themselves, at the same level American doctors do not approve of this.

“In the States, it is impossible to prescribe medications for your child, guided by information from reference books or the Internet. In local pharmacies, only cough sweets, antiallergic drugs and some types of antipyretic drugs can be found in the public domain. The rest of the drugs are sold strictly by prescription, the author writes. - It turns out that at the slightest need you have to run with your child to see a pediatrician in order to get an appointment. However, there is also a positive side: health insurance pays for most of the drugs indicated in the prescription. "

Protects the nerves of parents

American pediatricians adhere to the principle: "Calm adults - healthy child." Therefore, in response to complaints about the well-being of the baby, parents often hear: "Relax, everything will be fine."

“At first I was stressed by this approach. I thought that the problem was not taken seriously. However, over time, I realized how many nerve cells I managed to save thanks to the absence of panic, ”says my mother.

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