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Parents should be confident that their
health plan encourages pediatricians and other health professionals
to be just as concerned with the emotional needs of their
children and families as with their medical needs.
Parents should expect their health plan to always consider
the impact of emotional problems upon the family as a whole.
In addition, family members should be encouraged to regard
such problems not as a shameful burden but as an opportunity
for individual and family growth.
Parents should feel trusting enough to discuss all of their
concerns and worries with their pediatrician, and to expect
a response that is empathic, methodical, and non-judgmental.
Because parents should never feel rushed, their physician
may conclude that it would be more helpful to invite parents
to return on another occasion, when the problem can be more
thoughtfully evaluated.
Parents should expect that physicians view the process of
making timely referrals as an art, at times as important as
the treatment process itself. The goal for parents and pediatricians
should be to evaluate problems as early as possible. Oftentimes,
pediatricians may conclude that they can understand the problem,
themselves, and reach a constructive resolution with the parents.
On the other hand, some physicians may feel, for a variety
of reasons, that a referral to a behavioral health professional
would be more appropriate.
Sometimes relationships between family members can be more
serious,including abuse and or even domestic violence. Parents
should anticipate that their pediatrician wouldn't hesitate
to make such an inquiry and would also be able to provide
them, over time, with the strength and insight to reassess
such relationships as well as being able to consider the potential
impact upon their children.
Parents should be empowered by the work between parent and
pediatrician so that a "cure" is not the absence
of symptoms but, rather, the ability to nurture emotional
competence and thoughtful decision-making on the part of all
the family members.
The mission of this website is to work towards the achievement
of such an ideal health plan.
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