Prepare for Your Child’s Doctor’s Visit

More than 400 doctors representing every pediatric medical specialty are available to care for your child at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. Families are vital partners in care, and we look forward to meeting you and your child.

Whether your child is seeing a pediatrician for a regular checkup or a specialist for a more specific medical concern, we have tips to help prepare you for your child’s doctor’s appointment.

Before Your Child’s Doctor’s Appointment

It can be helpful to confirm the exact location of your doctor’s office, how long it will likely take you to get there, and where you can park if you are driving.

Talking with Your Child About Medical Care

Children may have questions or get anxious when they go to the doctor. We help you know what to tell your child, and when.

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Please bring the following information to your first appointment:

• insurance cards
• insurance referrals or preauthorizations
• medical insurance copayment
• photo identification
• your child’s immunization record
• any relevant medical records, including a list of your child’s allergies, completed X-rays, and lab tests
• your pediatrician’s contact information, if you are seeing a specialist
• contact information for your local pharmacy

After the first visit, let the office staff know if you change insurance, move to a new address, or switch to a different pharmacy.

If you cannot make your appointment as scheduled, please let us know as soon as possible.

The Day of the Doctor’s Visit

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time so you can fill out any additional paperwork. Children do best when they are engaged in something fun. Bring along books, toys, games, and comforting items, such as a blanket or stuffed animal. We recommend you also bring your child’s favorite snacks and drinks. Babies and toddlers might need extra diapers or a change of clothes.

Questions to Ask Your Child’s Doctor

Our Family Advisory Council, made up of parents of children who have received care at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, has suggestions for questions you might want to ask your child’s doctor:

• What symptoms should I look for or be concerned about?
• Whom should I contact if the symptoms change?
• Can I have a list of all of my child’s medications and the dosage, including over-the-counter medications?
• What are the side effects of each of these medications?
• Can you update my child’s prescriptions and provide necessary refills?
• When should I bring my child back for a follow-up visit?
• Are there any restrictions on my child’s activities or diet?
• What are the pros and cons to each of these treatment options?
• What should I do if I have questions after the doctor’s office closes?
• Can I have my child’s annual sports or school physical forms completed?

Before you leave the office, stop by the reception desk. You can make your next appointment, pay the copay, ask for any referral forms, and request prescription refills.

You can also talk with the team at the reception desk about how to manage your child’s appointments, request prescription refills, and view test results by enrolling in our patient portal, NYU Langone Health MyChart, and requesting proxy access to your child’s medical records.