Help Pediatric Patients Overcome Pain & Anxiety

Growing Up
As patients age, they should become more involved in decision making. Typically when they’re young, a patient’s parents make all of the decisions. “During early adolescence, we work on getting the patient more involved with self-management to ensure they are knowledgeable [about] the disease state and comfortable with the treatment regimen prior to transitioning to an adult rheumatologist,” Dr. Wise says.

Dr. Kamdar concurs, adding that it is important to note the development and maturity of patients. “As they grow older, they will gain insight,” he says. “Hence, they [may] express their views regarding their choices for medications and procedures.”

Karen Appold is a medical writer in Pennsylvania.