It’s All
About Trust.
Working With Pediatric Patients
BY ROB SOBEL, C. PED.
P
ediatrics is a small percentage of the majority of pedorthic practices. This
population, although small, has the potential to be the patients that we will
see for the longest period of time. Your adult patients’ feet will change as
well but not with the frequency of the pediatric patient. These patients can
be challenging, especially if one tries to rush the process, and they do need
to be treated somewhat differently. I will use a couple of my recent pediatric cases to
illustrate certain points, both clinically and interpersonally. Patient names have been
changed for purposes of confidentiality.
Sarah
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Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org
The first order of business is to gain trust. This may start before
the actual office visit. My patient “Sarah” is a shy 10-year-old
with Arthrogryposis and a leg length discrepancy. After Sarah had
the prescription but before the appointment was set, her mother
grilled me as to who would be assessing her, who would be doing
the work on the footwear and whether the individual(s) have the
expertise to do the job.
Sarah’s mom was very protective, as are many parents of children
with disabilities or malformations of limbs. Do not be offended.
Be honest and through your honesty, you will gain the parent’s
trust. Sarah’s mom also asked if she could bring along Sarah’s
physical therapist so we would all be on the same page. I had
never had such an entourage for a shoe build up before, but
anytime people can be introduced to pedorthics, “the more, the
merrier.” The appointment was set, and I got to meet the lovely
miss Sarah.