Choosing a physician; did familiarity with adoption issues factor in?

jillianmb

When you chose (or if you are in the process of choosing) a pediatrician for your child, did their familiarity with adoption related issues factor in?  In my reading so far I've come across a few recommendations to choose a physician who is familiar with these issues (everything from attachment issues, foreign diseases (for int'l), and the emotions kids face about their adoption as they age). 

If this was a factor, what kind of questions did you ask the physician?  Did you get a recommendation from someone? How did you find your doctor?   

Thanks! 

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Jermysgirl

Didn't factor in at all.  Thankfully, our pedi has some knowledge, but we chose him because he was recommended.

silliestbunny

We did not but I might reconsider if we IA'd since some of the health concerns and developmental concerns less common.

Unless one is super convenient, I'd search for a ped that is interested in learning more about adoption and would be open to third party consults (via phone) if issues arise.  I'd look for someone open minded and someone who seems genuinely interested in your story. 

 

Mrs.Slick

We've thought about this as well. We live in a small town and I'm almost certain that there will be no one with much experience. We're planning on speaking with which ever international adoption physician and asking for rec's or seeing if they even think it's necessary. 

Dr.Loretta

The only thing that factored in was that our dr proactively offered to go over our profile key for situations we might want to think about (esp drug exposure), and offered to look at any medical files if we wanted/needed him to.

Other than that, we just thought he was a kick-a$$ FP and had treated us well, so we were looking forward to taking a child to him. He saw DD for 15 months and was one of the few reasons we were sad to move. We still miss him.

WillisReincarnated

The adoption wasn't a factor for us because we adopted a newborn.  I could appreciate it if you were adopting an older child or IA. 

Our son was experiencing w/d from a methadone program, so I made sure our pediatrician was well versed in that area.  However, we didn't have a pedi ahead of time.  We were lucky that my SIL's awesome pedi would do a phone consult with us after C was born. 

noonecarewhoiam

Having gone through an international adoption of a special needs child, I would urge you to have your child seen by a specialist upon homecoming. Especially as your child has been institutionalized for some time.

I would select a clinic with physicians specifically in children from Russia, and with an infectious disease physician and developmental ped on staff.

Art Teacher

I didn't factor into our decision-making process in the beginning.  We knew other people (a cousin and many coworkers) who used this pediatric practice and were happy with them.  When I called they gave me lots of info and our first appt. was set with "Dr. B."  (We didn't meet with the doctor beforehand.)  While we were explaining about the adoption, Dr. B told us that she had been adopted as well.  I think the staff in the office set the appt. with her because of that and because of her knowledge about adoption. 

We love her.   She left the practice and we followed her to her new one, even though it's further away! 

 

jacksjerseygirl

No. 

 

 We adopted domestic newborn. If my child has emotional or behavior issues because or related to adoption then I will seek a family - child therapist that has experience with adoption - I won't require my pediatrician to over reach in what they have been educated to know and offer. 

 Now if after meeting the pedi and after sharing my son's history I had the feeling that the pedi was judging or treating us unfairly because he was adopted then I wouldn't stay with them. Bias and ignorance comes from all places.  

Amy720

Didn't factor in with us.  My mom was working at the Health Department as the Children's Department director and loved the doctor who came over and helped out for free.  He was actually the doctor my former pediatrician trained to take over his practice.  We (especially Ben) love him.

Jenn is Silly

We hadn't even selected a pedi when E was born- but happened to really like the pedi who was assigned to her at the hospital.  He advocate for us with some crappy nurses and we ended up going with him.  Turns out, 2 of his kids are adopted- so its been an amazing fit.  He understands that we have limited history and has just been wonderful with all of her illnesses.

SoSweet06

 No we didn't consider it, and we ended up regretting it. Our pdoc put us through a very rough few weeks waiting on genetic testing (not to mention the very high expense) because she wasn't familiar with some of his issues. The international adoption clinic had a much better understanding of him, his issues and the appropriate referrals that needed to be made and were able to almost immediately rule out most of the pdoc's concerns.

 I imagine if I were adopting domestically, it would not be an issue.