Taking your child to an ENT specialist for the first time can be stressful. Not only are you concerned about the health and wellbeing of your child, this might be the first time that your child has seen a specialist. An ENT specialist may perform minimally invasive investigations such as looking in the ears, nose or throat during the appointment and this may be a scary experience for your child. We have put together some tips to help make your child’s first appointment with an ear nose and throat specialist easier.
To help you prepare for your appointment, make sure you bring the following items with you:
Administrative
- A referral letter. You can get this from your family doctor or any GP; you will need this to be able to claim a rebate from Medicare after your appointment day.
- Medicare card and private health insurance details. This is very important if you would like to be able to claim a rebate.
- Your banking details to process your claim directly with Medicare.
Medical History
- Details of any current medications (prescription and non-prescription). It may also help to bring them along with you.
- Any diagnostic imaging or reports from relevant investigations such as audiograms, MRIs and CT scans.
- Child health record card or “blue book”.
Other
- A comfort toy or blanket for your child to feel safe with as this may help calm your child’s nerves.
- A pen and paper, so you can write down key information or questions you might have.
We ask that you arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. You can take that time to speak with reception staff and get your child settled. We have some toys, books and activities, as well as some seats for your child to sit on.
We look forward to seeing you and your child at their first ENT appointment. If you have any queries about your first appointment with us, contact ent clinic today.