How Old Is Too Old For The Pediatrician

I went to my pediatrician until the Age of 17. It was because she was the only doc near.

Was sometimes embarassing to sit around very young childs.

And since she was a pediatrician she treated even us older children lile small Kids.

Made it even more embarassing.

The last time I went was at 17 for my college entrance physical. Shirt off to start then eventually told to stand up and drop everything for the genital exam. Seems like nowadays boys don't even take their shirts off let alone strip to briefs like I always had to growing up.

Seems like nowadays boys don't even take their shirts off let alone strip to briefs like I always had to growing up.

At my last physical at my pediatrician I know tht I just had to take my shirt off. I was in and out in 10mins .

Think 18 is a good time to transition to an internist. But if you are comfortable staying with a pediatrician until that is ok. Ultimately up to the person.

When I was very young my entire family all saw an elderly family doctor. He eventually retired. My parents found a new family doctor but I was then taken to a pediatrician, who I did not like. I told my parents and they then started taking me to their new family doctor. However, I did not like him either but put up with him until I had to have a college entrance physical and at that time I then found my own doctor. After that I jumped from doctor to doctor and have still not found "the perfect doctor." I do think that many kids start to feel uncomfortable going to a pediatrician once they enter puberty. I do think at that time the child should then be allowed to see a doctor they would feel comfortable with. After all, how much good can one get by seeing a doctor they feel uncomfortable with? The exams should be those that you would most benefit from, and that starts with having a doctor one does feel comfortable seeing, no matter if it a pediatrician or someone else.

A pediatrician is a medical specialist. If you do not have medical conditions that are within their specialty, then they are not the best fit for your care.

Don't go to a podiatrist for heart problems. etc.

My mom loved the pediatrician we went to as kids. If we stayed in the same state and didn't move, I would have gone to see him until I was 18 (and hated it)

I was 14 when we moved, which was just the right time to see a doctor that doesn't have lots of toys in the waiting room and Sesame Street playing on every TV.

I stopped going to the pediatrician when I was twelve but my daughters went to theirs till they went to college.

I’d say early puberty, when the patient realized that their body is changing (pubic hairs, lowered voice in boys, breasts in girls, thoughts and feelings, etc.)

In France, it is way easier to get appointments at a general practitioner than at a pediatrician. Thus, if you have a sick kid, the fast approach is to go to a GP. Pediatrician are thus often used only for very small children, or children who have special needs or issues.

Here in my country people usually go to the ped until 19. If I know it good, you can't switch before 18.

My mom took me often and regularly to our pediatrician until I was 18.

I’d say early puberty, when the patient realized that their body is changing (pubic hairs, lowered voice in boys, breasts in girls, thoughts and feelings, etc.)

But pediatrician specialize in adolescent and pubescent bodies. It would make much more sense to switch to an adult GP post puberty. It might be appropriate for a 16 or 17 year old to switch to an adult GP but wise for a 13 or 14 year old patient to get pediatric care.

For asymptomatic patients past puberty, I doubt there is much difference in medical care needs for a 17 year old vs. a 22 year old.

When you are fully covered in body hair.

I heard of pediatricians seeing young adults till 22. But I’d think that for most, the last time they’d see a pediatrician would be at 18. My last visit to my pediatrician was at 18.

I saw a pediatrician up until 8 or 9. Then it was a regular GP. This was the norm as I was/am a Navy brat, and since medical coverage was military doctors, thats the way it was.

I went until I was 18 but he saw patients until 24. Now I wish I would have because he gave a very embarrassing and thorough exam with Rectal temperature.

My pediatrician will see patients until the 26 or have a baby.

My pediatrician saw patients until 19. I really miss those exams !

I went to my pediatrician till I was 18 but I think she saw patients till 19 or 20.

We went back and forth between several different doctors when I was a kid and my parents tried new doctors for us frequently. The last time I recall going to a pediatrician, I was 16 but it was a big place that specifically called itself a “pediatric and adolescent” clinic.

The pediatrician I go to sees patients until they are 21. I think this is good since the patient doesn’t have to go through finding a new doctor when they leave for college at 18. Also, once the parents stop coming into the exam room there isn’t much of a difference between the pediatrician and a normal doctor (although my pediatrician still does a few things that work for little kids but should probably be stopped around a certain age).

(although my pediatrician still does a few things that work for little kids but should probably be stopped around a certain age).

What kinds of things?

I feel 17 yrs old !

18 years old. after that should look towards finding an internist or general practitioner.

What kinds of things?

He tells me to raise my hips and he pulls my underwear down for me. I understand this in little kids but I think at a certain age he should just have the patient do it themself…

Went to mine, till age 13. It got to the point to where I couldn't stand the loud waiting room and wild kids running around! and then when they moved to a new office all their exam tables were way to small!!! So that was a NO MORE for me!!!

As I have written previously I went to the pediatrician through college. At that point the majority of patients were much younger, although there were a few my age. It wasn't really my choice, but it wasn't a problem either. As someone pointed out, my feet would hang over some of the tables; however, the embarrassment level was much less than in my early teen years.

My physician mother had a network of female doctors, many of whom were pediatricians. Women tend to gravitate to women and children as patients. So she always had me go to her friends. Last time I was in grad school, 24. Asthma was bad again. I was getting an MBA near San Francisco. Mom sent me to same pediatrician who hospitalized me at UC hospital for asthma, as a child. Weird going to an office with little chairs, toys and little kids running around. Receptionist holds up chart. “You haven't been back for 19 years.” Lucky for me asthma treatment advance a lot in 19 years.

He tells me to raise my hips and he pulls my underwear down for me. I understand this in little kids but I think at a certain age he should just have the patient do it themself…

I think I'm the exact opposite. I prefer for the doctor to do it regardless of age. I'm reminded of the scene in El Diputado ( 1978 ) where the doctor pulls down the guy's pajama bottoms for him. https://adult.noodlemagazine.com/watch/238991501_170899866