How do I find a doctor (in my area) who really understands BPI?
I haven't had a real appointment with the paediatrician who saw Avery when she was born (that's tomorrow) so I don't know yet if he'll be "the one". lol
I understand that a good early start and a good, knowledgable doctor are very important. I just don't know how to find a doctor who is familiar with this. Do I just ask? Is there a (Canadian) directory?
TIA,
Bonnie
btw - I am in Saskatchewan
Professionals' knowledge of BPI
Re: Professionals' knowledge of BPI
Hi, Bonnie. Sorry I didn't reply to your first post, but congratulations on your new baby and welcome to the board. I am sorry that your baby was injured. You will find a lot of info. and support here.
You might want to repost with Canada Drs or something to that effect in the subject. There is a directory here under Hospitals/Doctors (when you go to Resources - Web Links). However, for some reason, there are not any Canadian drs. there. I have heard of several people going to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital to see Dr. Clarke. I believe there's also a BP Clinic in Vancouver. If you go back a few pages here on the board, there's a thread "New 2 this, need help getting info" on 2/01/02 that has some links of Canadian BP Specialists.
I hope you like the Pediatrician and develop a good relationship with him/her b/c that dr. will play a key role in Avery's treatment. Most Peds know something about just about everything, but don't know a lot about any particular specialty b/c they're more general drs., not specialists. However, hopefully, your Ped. will be able to refer you to a good PT/OT and a good BP Specialist. Some people find a local Ped. Neurologist and / or Ped. Ortho. and might also have to travel some distance to the BP Specialists (team that might consist of any comb. of Ped. Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Ortho. Surgeon, Recsonsructive Microsurgeon, Physical Med. & Rehab. Specialist, PT/OT). A multi-disciplinary clinic usually works well. If you go to the awareness 2001 section of this site, there's a BP write up designed for Pediatricians that you might want to bring with you on your appt. tomorrow.
I hope this helps. BTW, I have a 2 yr, 10 mon old daughter, Nicole who has a total LOBPI. Again, welcome and enjoy your sweet smelling new baby! Take care.
-Tina
You might want to repost with Canada Drs or something to that effect in the subject. There is a directory here under Hospitals/Doctors (when you go to Resources - Web Links). However, for some reason, there are not any Canadian drs. there. I have heard of several people going to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital to see Dr. Clarke. I believe there's also a BP Clinic in Vancouver. If you go back a few pages here on the board, there's a thread "New 2 this, need help getting info" on 2/01/02 that has some links of Canadian BP Specialists.
I hope you like the Pediatrician and develop a good relationship with him/her b/c that dr. will play a key role in Avery's treatment. Most Peds know something about just about everything, but don't know a lot about any particular specialty b/c they're more general drs., not specialists. However, hopefully, your Ped. will be able to refer you to a good PT/OT and a good BP Specialist. Some people find a local Ped. Neurologist and / or Ped. Ortho. and might also have to travel some distance to the BP Specialists (team that might consist of any comb. of Ped. Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Ortho. Surgeon, Recsonsructive Microsurgeon, Physical Med. & Rehab. Specialist, PT/OT). A multi-disciplinary clinic usually works well. If you go to the awareness 2001 section of this site, there's a BP write up designed for Pediatricians that you might want to bring with you on your appt. tomorrow.
I hope this helps. BTW, I have a 2 yr, 10 mon old daughter, Nicole who has a total LOBPI. Again, welcome and enjoy your sweet smelling new baby! Take care.
-Tina
Re: Professionals' knowledge of BPI
P.S. You might not be ready to think about this yet, but there are a couple other posts about Canada and legal issues a couple pages back (just look for Canada in the subject). Something that you might want to just print for now and refer to later. -Tina
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Sarah
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2002 8:04 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: ROBPI
ModQuad - Location: Ottawa, ON
Re: Professionals' knowledge of BPI
Bonnie - our pediatrician knows very little about BPI. In fact, he suggested that we do some research on the Internet. His initial suggestion was that we wait 30 days to see if our daughter's arm improved on its own without treatment. We ignored his advice and started PT when she was a week old.
Unfortunately, our experience has been that we have to ask for everything we want - if not, nothing is done. At Emma's 1-week check-up, we went in with a list of things we wanted (cervical spine x-ray, PT, wrist splint, pediatric neurosurgeon referral, etc.), and insisted that each item be addressed. We have learned to educate ourselves, and not rely on the pediatrician. In fact, at her 1-month check-up, he didn't even ask about her arm!
If you want to email me directly, I can tell you what we've done so far. I would like to help you if I can.
Good luck!!
Unfortunately, our experience has been that we have to ask for everything we want - if not, nothing is done. At Emma's 1-week check-up, we went in with a list of things we wanted (cervical spine x-ray, PT, wrist splint, pediatric neurosurgeon referral, etc.), and insisted that each item be addressed. We have learned to educate ourselves, and not rely on the pediatrician. In fact, at her 1-month check-up, he didn't even ask about her arm!
If you want to email me directly, I can tell you what we've done so far. I would like to help you if I can.
Good luck!!