Medical Malpractice

Do hospitals...?

Hi. My daughter is very into the doctor, don't ask me why. For some time now, she's been wanting to go to a hospital, and have them examine her. Take her temperature, feel her forehead, listen to her heart, etc, but she doesn't want any shots or blood tests. Do hospitals offer free examinations to children age 12 who want one? It's what she wants, and I don't care either way. So, do they? By the way, I'm asking about hospitals in Upstate, New York. She does not want to go to the ER. I asked her why she wanted to go so badly, and she said: "I'm interesterd in becoming a doctor, and want to further look into what they do, so this might be educational." By the way, I am NOT making the doctors give her needles to change her mind. That's cruel. Also, she does get a physical every year...but she just got into becoming a doctor, and thinks this is a good way to get educated, I guess in a way...it is. I've spoken to her, and decided to make an appt. soon at the health clinic. We called, and they said a lot of kids her age are interested in becoming doctors, and they give low priced exams to them, by nurse practitioners. They said the exam goes like this: -height and weight -quick feel forehead, then take temperature -stethoscope -Otoscope (ears) -Throat -Eyes -Pulse and blood pressure -Feeling stomach for any abnormal swelling -Lung X-ray I like this plan, should I make the appt.?

Public Comments

1. I doubt it, they have their hands full of people who actually NEED care. Let her play doctors and nurses with her friends...;
2. They might examine her if u took her in to the er, but it would be an expensive visit. Why don't u just make an appointment with a pediatrician and have them give her a complete physical? I do it for my kids every year. Unless she is behind in her vaccinations, she shouldn't need any shots.
3. I think you daughter is looking for attention.
4. Try your local health clinic. The doctor will usually charge you for an exam.
5. I don't understand does she have crushes on doctors or does want to be a doctor. Either way, we are a capitalistic society so not sure of a free doctor exam. But there are no cost or low cost clinics. But the person examining you is usually a nurse practitioner.
6. Take her in for a regular physical. If she is involved in sports she should be getting one anyway. I doubt it would be free but insurance should cover it.
7. I kind of went through the same thing when I was little. Every day I would take my temperature about 3 times before school because I was so afraid to go if someone was to throw up. Last year, I was so afraid to get skin cancer that I would constantly check myself for any symptoms, but I was too afraid to go to a dermatologist. They were basically stemming from a form of paranoia, and that might be what your daughter has. Its just an idea, though. Otherwise, maybe you should take her to a pediatrician instead of a hospital, since those are used more for emergencies. I think she's at an age when shes realizing the importance of her health and safety .. plus, her body is going through a lot of changes, and she might not know what is healthy and what is not.
8. I agree with another answerer--your daughter is seeking attention. You need to use reverse physchology on her and explain that if she keeps this up, when or if she ever gets really sick, no one will believe her. Either that, or they make think she's currently worse than she really is and will do blood work on her. I would talk with the doctors and tell them what's going on. Have them to start an IV on her and draw blood (since she keeps going back), then maybe she'll think twice before she decides she's sick enough to go back.
9. No,hospitals do not offer free examinations. They provide health fairs to screen for cholesterol,diabetes etc. Taking her to the ER when there is nothing wrong with her is an abuse of the ER system which is what drives up the cost of hospitals. Take her in for a wellness exam with her regular Dr and YES,blood tests should be included. You don't go to the Dr and tell them what you want,they will do what is necessary and that might include blood tests. I agree that this child is looking for attention but I also think this could be some abnormal concern for her health. I use to let my daughter hang around with my husbands mother who was a hypocondriact and when I complained that my daughter was spending too much time with that grandmother,my suspicions were confirmed when my then 3yr old daughter started to mimic grandma's behavior at which point I stopped the frequent visits that were adversely affecting my daughter. You might want to consider this.
10. If it's for educational purposes, then have her become a Volunteer at a local hospital. That would be great. Save the physicals for your family doctor. Do not bring her to the hospital for this reason. The staff is busy enough tending to very ill & injured patients.
11. A better alternative would be to find a activity that has to do with medicine she can be involved with. Our local boy scouts have a program for girls and boys called Medical Explorers. Check and see if they have this in your area. They meet at a hospital and take them on tours and tell them what different jobs involve. Also they watch videos and will get to do neat hands on projects like learning how to correctly put stitches in. If they don't have this in your area look into other medical related things like volunteer work. Or mentoring.