Common Questions About Pediatrics
Our Pediatric Doctors and Caregivers
Here are answers to some common questions you may have about the doctors and nurse practitioners in our Pediatrics department.
What is a pediatrician?
Pediatricians are physicians (doctors) who have a detailed understanding of the unique health needs of children. They specialize in caring for babies, children, and teens, and in working with families.
Pediatricians are especially focused on prevention - keeping children healthy - as well as diagnosing and treating common conditions and diseases. Pediatricians care for children from birth through adolescence, usually until age 18 or so.
Some pediatricians also complete specialized training in a particular area, such as infectious diseases or adolescent medicine.
How much training do pediatricians have?
In addition to graduating from medical school, our pediatricians have completed a 3-year residency training program in pediatric medicine. If they decide to pursue further specialty training, they then complete an additional 2 to 4-year fellowship.
How do I choose a pediatrician?
Browse through the professional and personal profiles of pediatricians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and family medicine doctors on this Web site. You can also search for a specific pediatrician or specialist in your area.
You may also want to talk to friends or to another pediatrician or NP you see at Kaiser Permanente and ask whom they would recommend. If you have several children, we recommend that they all see the same doctor or nurse practitioner.
Once you're ready to choose a doctor or nurse practitioner, have your child's medical record number handy. You can sign up online, or we can help you get connected with a personal physician by phone.
If do not have a specific preference for a particular doctor or nurse practitioner, we are happy to help you choose. Contact Member Outreach for the area where you'd like to receive your care.
We hope this will be the beginning of a long relationship: We're here to help you take good care of your family now and in the future.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have also completed advanced degrees and specialized training. At Kaiser Permanente, we have both Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Family Nurse Practitioners on staff.
NPs specialize in prevention and education, and they have special expertise working with families to promote children's health. They can diagnose and treat medical conditions, write prescriptions, and order labs and other diagnostic tests. Nurse practitioners practice under physician supervision and consult regularly with pediatricians.
At some medical offices, you can choose to see an NP as your child's primary caregiver.
What is an adolescent medicine specialist?
All of our pediatricians are trained to provide care to babies, children, and teens. In addition, some facilities have doctors or nurse practitioners who specialize in teen patients and issues.
Your teen may choose an adolescent specialist to see as his or her primary care provider. Teens can also continue seeing their usual doctor or nurse practitioner until it's time to "graduate" to adult medicine. Either way, it's important for your teen to visit his or her regular doctor or nurse practitioner every 1 to 2 years.
Kaiser Permanente's adolescent medicine specialists are physicians and nurse practitioners with a passion for teen health care. Most are Board Certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or Family Medicine and have a certificate of Adolescent Medicine (education and training in adolescent health and development).
Our adolescent medicine specialists are leaders in teen health care and participate on the primary care team. They focus on evaluating and treating many of the common medical and behavioral issues that can show up during puberty.
If your teen has an issue that needs special attention, your child's pediatrician may work with an adolescent medicine specialist to develop a treatment plan based on your teen's needs.
Getting Your Care in Pediatrics
Here are answers to some common questions you may have about getting your care in our Pediatrics department. Learn more about the variety of options that make it easier to get the information and advice you need to care for your child, whether by phone, in person, or online.
I'm not sure whether my child needs to be seen. Whom should I call?
You can always call our Appointment and Advice line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained advice nurses are available to address questions any time and can help determine what type of care your child may need.
Our advice nurses can send a message directly to your child's doctor or nurse practitioner. They can also help you make an appointment with your pediatrician or a trusted colleague.
For some simple problems, depending on your child's symptoms and your preferences, the advice nurse may offer you a telephone appointment. Many parents like this option, but if you prefer an in-person appointment, be sure to let the representative or advice nurse know.
Advice nurses are registered nurses with special training in working with members over the telephone. They work using guidelines developed by Kaiser Permanente physicians, and work with pediatricians who help staff the Advice line. If special circumstances or very urgent concerns arise, the advice nurses will consult a physician to help decide on the best course of action to address your concerns and care for your child.
Will we always see the same doctor or nurse practitioner?
Usually, yes. However, you may not see your own pediatrician if you want a certain day or time for your appointment and your provider is not in the office at that time. You may also see a different pediatrician if your child needs an urgent or same-day appointment and your own pediatrician is not available.
Whenever possible, we will try to schedule any appointment with your own doctor or nurse practitioner. Please let the Appointment and Advice line staff know your preferences when you call to schedule your appointment.
What are my options for getting care without an in-person visit with my pediatrician or NP?
Phone advice from a nurse
You can always call the Appointment and Advice line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Advice nurses are always available to answer questions, address concerns, and give advice. During the day and evening hours, they can also send a message to your child's pediatrician or nurse practitioner or help you make an appointment.
These are registered nurses who work using guidelines developed by Kaiser Permanente physicians. They can help you determine what types of care are most appropriate for your child's symptoms.
Telephone appointments with a pediatrician
In addition to in-person visits, we now offer the option of telephone appointments for certain common pediatric concerns. If you'd prefer to schedule a phone appointment instead of coming in, please let the Appointment and Advice line representative or advice nurse know.
Depending on your child's symptoms, you may have the option to schedule a telephone appointment with your pediatrician or a trusted colleague. The doctor or nurse practitioner will call you at an agreed-upon time, at whichever phone number is most convenient for you.
Many parents like the convenience of this new option, but if you prefer to be seen in person, it's always your choice. Also, telephone appointments are not appropriate for all health concerns. The advice nurse can help you decide what type of care is best for you and your child.
Staying on Top of Your Child's Health Online
Here are answers to some common questions you may have about managing your child's care online. Learn more about our online tools that make it easier and more convenient to stay on top of your child's health.
How do I sign up to manage my child's care online?
We can help you keep track of your family's health, from the convenience of your own computer, 24/7.
To keep health information secure, you'll need to register for kp.org and request authorization to act on behalf of your child. Once you have an active kp.org password and request authorization to link your child's account to yours, you can access a range of features that make it easier and more convenient for you to manage your family's health.
If your child is under age 18, you can:
- Make, change, or cancel your child's appointments.
- Refill your child's prescriptions.
- E-mail your child's doctor or nurse practitioner with nonurgent questions.
- View your child's allergies and immunization records.
- Sign up for our Online Newsletters for parents customized to your child's age.
If your child is under age 12, you can also:
- Keep up with your child's personalized Preventive Services.
- View most lab test results.
- Review information about past visits.
If you have any problems with registration, please call our Member Web Site Support at 1-800-556-7677 for assistance.
Can I e-mail my child's doctor or nurse practitioner?
Yes. You can request authorization to send nonurgent questions in a secure message via e-mail if all of the following are true:
- You are a KP member.
- Your child is under 18 years of age.
- You have the legal authority to access information and make medical decisions on his or her behalf.
- You and the child live in the Northern California Kaiser Permanente region.
To use this feature, you need to sign up for our Act for a Family Member feature on kp.org. Once it is activated, you can e-mail your family's doctors or nurse practitioners with nonurgent questions or concerns any time, day or night, and hear back within 2 business days.
Special note for parents of teens:
You and your teen can both sign up to send secure e-mails to your teen's doctors and other members of their team. (Teens can set up their own kp.org accounts starting at age 13.)
Please be aware that this is a transparent form of communication between family members and your teen's doctors. This means that you and your teen will be able to see each other's messages and replies from your teen's doctors. For any information that you want kept strictly private between you and your teen's doctors, please contact him or her by telephone instead of using secure messaging.
Why does my access to my child's account expire?
To protect your child's personal information, you will have access to act for your child for 2 years, or until your child turns 18. After 2 years, your access will automatically expire.
If your child is still under age 18, you will need to renew your access. We regret the inconvenience, but this 2-year limit helps protect your child's medical record and ensures that we can protect member privacy and prevent unauthorized use.
Well Checks and Immunizations
Answers to questions about how to keep your child healthy with routine preventive care and when to come in for well visits and immunizations.
How often should I bring my child in for a well care visit (checkup)?
These visits help us make sure your children are growing and developing, and getting the care they need to stay healthy. Well check visits are also an opportunity for you to talk with your pediatrician about questions you may have about your child's health and well-being.
We recommend that you bring your child in for routine well visits at the following ages. Note: Your pediatrician may recommend a slightly different schedule, based on your child's individual health needs.
Newborns
In many of our medical centers, we offer special newborn clubs or clinics just for new families. Services include newborn exams, breastfeeding support, newborn care information and advice, and immediate access to pediatricians as needed. If mom is having any problems, we can help coordinate care with Women's Health.
Infancy
2 days (see newborns, above)
2 weeks
2 months
4 months
6 months
12 months
Early childhood
21 to 24 months
3 years
4 to 5 years
Middle childhood
5 to 6 years
6 to 8 years
8 to 10 years
10 to 12 years
Teens
Every 1 to 2 years, based on your child's doctor or nurse practitioner's advice.
How do I make an appointment for a routine (well) visit?
Whether you schedule online or by phone, you will need to have your child's medical record number handy. This number is on your child's Health Plan card.
Online
You can use our Web site anytime to make, change, or cancel appointments for routine, nonurgent care. To keep your personal information secure, you will need to sign on with your user ID and password before you can make or change appointments online. If you don't have a user ID or password yet, please register at kp.org.
By Phone
You can use our automated phone system to hear your pediatrician's available appointment times and choose one that's convenient for you. When you call the Appointment and Advice line, simply select the option and follow the prompts.
You also can call your Kaiser Permanente facility to make or change appointments. You can find the phone numbers to call in our facility directory.
When does my child need immunizations?
Keeping up with all regularly scheduled immunizations is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child from serious diseases.
Many parents have questions about immunizations. We encourage you to be informed so you'll feel confident vaccinating your child. We are dedicated to providing you with answers you can trust and links to unbiased information. Read through the information in our Immunization topic and please talk with us about any questions you may have.
Remember, these shots protect your child and others from preventable diseases that range from mild to life-threatening. Stay up to date with all recommended immunizations, and you'll know your child is protected.
Stay on track with Online Preventive Services
Check to see what immunizations your child needs with our personalized Online Preventive Services. This summary can help you stay up to date with you and your family's recommended immunizations and screening tests.
This is a secure online feature and requires that you have an active password for our member site and be authorized to use the Act for a Family Member feature.
What screening tests does my child need?
Your pediatrician or nurse practitioner will conduct the following screening tests at your child's regular well care visits:
- Height, weight, and body mass index
- Head circumference (infants)
- Blood pressure
- Developmental delay and autism
- Hearing and vision
For more details on when these tests are recommended, review our Staying Healthy section and article on Well Child visits.
Your pediatrician or nurse practitioner may also recommend simple tests to screen for:
- High cholesterol
- Lead exposure
- Tuberculosis
- Anemia
Note: These recommendations are for generally healthy children and teenagers and are for information only. If your child has ongoing health problems or special health needs or risks, or if certain conditions run in your family, talk with your child's physician. He or she may recommend additional screening tests based on special health needs.
How do I sign up to receive your Online Newsletters for Parents?
Whether you have a tot or a teen, we encourage you to sign up for one or more of our free online newsletters for parents:
Created by Kaiser Permanente pediatricians and health educators, each newsletter is full of quality health information and links to resources that make it easier to manage your family's health.
How does it work? The newsletters are timed to your child's age and stage. Once you sign up, each newsletter is delivered directly to your e-mail in-box. It's an easy way to stay connected to your child's pediatrician and take advantage of all our online resources.
Subscribe now. With just a few clicks and an active kp.org password, you can sign up to start receiving any of the following newsletters:
Healthy Beginnings for pregnancy, childbirth, and preparing for a new babyHealthy Babies for baby's first year
Healthy Kids for raising tots to tweens
These newsletters require that you have an active password for our member site. To request a password, click "register now" on the sign-in screen when prompted. You can also visit kp.org/register.
If you need help signing on or subscribing, please contact Member Web Site Support at 1-800-556-7677 for assistance.
Just for Parents of Teens
This section addresses frequently asked questions from parents of teenagers and provides links to resources designed to support parents during this stage of development.
What is an adolescent medicine specialist?
All of our pediatricians are trained to provide care to babies, children, and teens. In addition, some facilities have doctors or nurse practitioners who specialize in teen patients and issues.
Your teen may choose an adolescent specialist to see as his or her primary care provider. Teens can also continue seeing their usual doctor or nurse practitioner until it's time to "graduate" to adult medicine. Either way, it's important for your teen to choose a regular doctor or nurse practitioner to see every 1 to 2 years.
Kaiser Permanente's adolescent medicine specialists are physicians and nurse practitioners with a passion for teen health care. Most are Board Certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or Family Medicine and have a certificate of Adolescent Medicine (education and training in adolescent health and development).
Our adolescent medicine specialists are leaders in teen health care and participate on the primary care team. They focus on evaluating and treating many of the common medical and behavioral issues that can show up during puberty.
If your teen has an issue that needs special attention, your child's pediatrician may work with an adolescent medicine specialist to develop a treatment plan based on your teen's needs.
Why does the doctor or nurse practitioner need time alone with my teenager?
In partnership with you, we want to teach our young adolescent patients to begin to take charge of their personal health care as they transition from childhood to adulthood. We are requesting confidential time with teens to ask about sensitive issues.
During teen visits, we will want to see your teen privately during all or part of the appointment. Teens – like most adults – have an easier time sharing personal information with their medical professional in private.
Please let the medical assistant or nurse know if you have any specific concerns that you wish to discuss with your child's doctor or nurse practitioner during the office visit. He or she will make sure to talk with you and address your questions.
What's different about care for teenagers?
In most cases, your teen needs parental permission before seeing a physician or nurse practitioner. However, adolescents 12 and older can make their own appointments for certain confidential services.
Confidentiality laws also protect certain parts of a teen's medical records. For these reasons, parents and guardians of pediatric members ages 12 to 17 have slightly different levels of access to our secure online features. For more information about confidential care for teens, please review our Special Care for Your Teen handout.
Can I e-mail my teen's doctor?
Yes. Parents of teens 12 through 17 can now sign up send secure messages to their teen's doctors. If you are a Kaiser Permanente member and you and your teen both live in Northern California, you can request access to act on your teen's behalf using our Act for a Family Member feature. (Once you have linked your teen's record, you can also view his or her immunization and allergy information.)
A note about privacy:
At age 13, your teen can also sign up for his or her own kp.org password and send secure e-mails to his or her doctors.
Please be aware that this is a transparent form of communication between family members and your teen's doctors. This means that you and your teen will be able to see each other's messages and replies from the doctor. For any information that you want kept strictly private between you and your teen's doctors, please contact him or her by telephone instead of using secure messaging.
Forms and Immunization Records
Addresses frequently asked questions about forms frequently required for school, camp, and sports. Provides information on Kaiser Permanente travel clinics as a resource for families traveling overseas who may need vaccinations.
I need my child's immunization records for the school. Do I need to come in?
Good news! With our Online Preventive Services, you can look up your child's personal preventive services, which includes all recommended childhood immunizations.
You'll need to register on kp.org and then sign up to use our Act for a Family Member feature to request access to your child's online records. Once you're signed up, you can simply print out a copy and attach it to any necessary forms.
The summary will also show any immunizations your child needs, so check it regularly to stay on top of your child's health.
We're planning a trip overseas. How do we know which shots our child needs?
Once you have finalized your travel plans (destination and firm dates), please contact us at least 6 weeks before you plan to leave on your trip: Certain vaccines and medications need several weeks to start working.
For more information about travel clinics, check out the Kaiser Permanente Travel Clinics link or call the Appointments and Advice phone number for your local Kaiser Permanente facility. You can find this phone number in our facility directory.
My child needs proof of a recent physical to play sports. How do I get the forms completed?
If your child has had a well check visit recently:
You may be able to simply send in the form with a request that your child's doctor fill it out. Please include your child's medical record number and your contact information and clearly state how soon you need the form returned. Please give us at least 3 days to complete the paperwork.
- Send the form and request by fax or mail.
- Drop paperwork off with our Pediatric reception staff.
- Scan the completed form and attach it to a secure message to your child's doctor.
If it has been 1 to 2 years since your child's last well check visit:
Your pediatrician may ask you to schedule an appointment and will complete any necessary paperwork at that time. If you know your child needs a sports physical, please make that appointment as far in advance as possible, so that you have your choice of convenient appointment times.
Additional References
Disclaimer
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.