First of all - I DO want to reiterate, there still do exist some fantastic health care providers out there. Some are MD's some "Mid Level" practitioners like PAs and Nurse Practitioners.
In my own experience, I did end up finding that, in general, of the three naturopathic doctors we worked with (out of the 12 healthcare providers, total, during our son's 2 + years of unexplained diarrhea), they tended to spend MUCH more time listening, asking questions, and taking into account things like: parents opinions, parents intuition, social ramifications of the presenting problem, etc.
The down side of seeing a naturopath can sometimes be the oodles of supplements they may want to throw your way. As a family of five - three of which are now just five-years-old and under, it quickly became difficult for me to keep up with the various supplements, tinctures, etc. that had been recommended to us. But, it's also ok to let ANY health care provider know how much you can, and can't take on, in the way of treatments.
As for the remainder of your questions: what can WE do...My answer: Don't be affraid, shy, nervous, apprehensive about advocating for yourself and your family! Be willing to be the squeaky wheel. Be willing to ask questions. Be willing to reserach on your own. Be willing to educate yourself. Insist that YOU are your own, and your childrens' Primary Care Provider...for you really are. Our doctors, nurses, and PAs should simply be our guides in providing excellent health care for ourselves and our families.
Kimmelin Hull, PA, LCCE
author of A Dozen Invisible Pieces and Other Confessions of Motherhood
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Kristin and Tina,
First of all - I DO want to reiterate, there still do exist some fantastic health care providers out there. Some are MD's some "Mid Level" practitioners like PAs and Nurse Practitioners.
In my own experience, I did end up finding that, in general, of the three naturopathic doctors we worked with (out of the 12 healthcare providers, total, during our son's 2 + years of unexplained diarrhea), they tended to spend MUCH more time listening, asking questions, and taking into account things like: parents opinions, parents intuition, social ramifications of the presenting problem, etc.
The down side of seeing a naturopath can sometimes be the oodles of supplements they may want to throw your way. As a family of five - three of which are now just five-years-old and under, it quickly became difficult for me to keep up with the various supplements, tinctures, etc. that had been recommended to us. But, it's also ok to let ANY health care provider know how much you can, and can't take on, in the way of treatments.
As for the remainder of your questions: what can WE do...My answer: Don't be affraid, shy, nervous, apprehensive about advocating for yourself and your family! Be willing to be the squeaky wheel. Be willing to ask questions. Be willing to reserach on your own. Be willing to educate yourself. Insist that YOU are your own, and your childrens' Primary Care Provider...for you really are. Our doctors, nurses, and PAs should simply be our guides in providing excellent health care for ourselves and our families.
June 20, 2008 - 10:21pmKimmelin Hull, PA, LCCE
author of A Dozen Invisible Pieces and Other Confessions of Motherhood
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