Everything you need to know about taking your child to the doctor

Doctor’s visit can be really scary for children. Many adults avoid the doctor’s office because of the fear that many children experience...

Here are 7 helpful tips for making a visit to the doctor’s office as comfortable for your child as possible:

1. Warn you child about the visit. Telling your little one beforehand will give them time to mentally prepare. It will also teach them to trust you. You don’t have to tell them a week before, the night or the morning before should be fine.

2. Explain the purpose of the visit. Let your child know that the doctor is looking to see how they are growing, or if they are sick. Tell them the doctor is trying to help them to feel better.

3. Walk them through what will happen. Tell them the doctor will look in their eyes and ears and listen to their heart beat. If they need shots too, let them know that too.

4. Read some books about other children going to the doctor. Your child will benefit from books that put them at ease. Books help them to know that it’s a normal part of life, and every child goes through the same thing.

5. Make sure your child is well rested. Schedule the appointment for a time of day when your child is generally happy. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.

6. Arrive early. Your children will feel more comfortable if they aren’t rushed and get comfortable with the doctor’s office. Many offices have toys, fish tanks and interesting things for your kids to look at.

7. Concentrate on the good. Explain to them that your doctor’s office gives stickers or a sweeties for good behaviour. You could also promise and outing afterwards, like to the library or the park.

Shots, nurses and exam rooms aren’t exactly a fun field trip for your kids, but these tips can make a visit to the doctor a lot less painful for you and your child.

Need a reliable supplier of all your medical equipment and supplies? Place your order on Supply Doctor today, call 021 110 0422 or email info@supplydoctor.co.za and choose from our wide range of medical products!

Why so many of us avoid going to the Doctor

A lot of us really avoid going to the doctor like the plague. But why? Well, it can bring up feelings of anxiety, fear and stress!

Let’s stop and take a look at the reasons why majority of us avoid visiting the doctor’s office…

24% avoid the doctor because they don’t have insurance
24% avoid the doctor because they are embarrassed about the issue
19% avoid the doctor because it is expensive
18% avoid the doctor because their issue is not covered by health insurance
13% avoid the doctor because they are worries about discovering a condition
7% avoid the doctor because of other reasons

People often lie to their doctors, but what do they lie about?

       -          Eating habits

       -          Exercise

       -          Sex-related issues

       -          Smoking

       -          Alcohol

       -          Drugs

Often it is not the fear or stress that stops people from going to the doctor, but the certain pet peeves that people annoyed…

1. Waiting too long
2. Exposure to germs
3. Paperwork
4. Missing a day or work or other appointments

Because we are living in a digital world, people prefer to go online and google certain topics and symptoms, what are the most popular?

41% Sex-related issues
29% STDS
16% Drugs and alcohol
15% Weight
11% Digestive health
4% Other

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How to make a doctor’s visit easier for kids

Doctor’s visit can be really scary for children. Many adults avoid the doctor’s office because of the fear that their kids have.

Here are some helpful tips for making a visit to the doctor’s office as comfortable for your child as possible:

Warn you child about the visit. Telling your little one beforehand will give them time to mentally prepare. It will also teach them to trust you. You don’t have to tell them a week before, the night or the morning before should be fine.

Explain the purpose of the visit. Let your child know that the doctor is looking to see how they are growing, or if they are sick. Tell them the doctor will try helping them to feel better.

Walk them through what will happen. Tell them the doctor will look in their eyes and ears and listen to their heart beat. If they need shots too, let them know that too.

Read some books about other children going to the doctor. Your child will benefit from books that put them at ease. Books help them to know that it’s a normal part of life, and every child goes through the same thing.

Make sure your child is well rested. Schedule the appointment for a time of day when your child is generally happy. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.

Arrive early. Your children will feel more comfortable if they aren’t rushed and get comfortable with the doctor’s office. Many offices have toys, fish tanks and interesting things for your kids to look at.

Concentrate on the good. Explain to them that your doctor’s office gives stickers or a sweetie for good behaviour. You could also promise and outing afterwards, like to the library or the park.

Shots, nurses and exam rooms aren’t exactly a fun field trip for your kids, but these tips can make a visit to the doctor a lot less painful for you and your child.

Need a reliable supplier of all your medical equipment and supplies? Place your order on Supply Doctor today and choose from our wide range of medical products.