Reasons for Visiting the Pediatrician
A discrepancy between the level of parental (or caretaker) anxiety and the nature of the child's chief complaint is a relatively common finding in the provision of sick-patient care within a pediatric practice. Even in the face of documentation, by history and physical examination, that an illness is a minor one, a parent or caretaker may demonstrate continuing distress by : (1) unwillingness to accept the pediatrician or primary care provider's recommendation(s), (2) unwillingness to end the visit, (3) exhibition of an anxious facial expression or an anxious voice, or (4) exhibition of tearfulness. Additional clues to inordinate parental or caretaker anxiety may be inferred when both parents accompany the child to the visit, or when a person other than the usual accompanying parent or caretaker is present.
