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Is the refusal to care in relation to a parent not wanting their child to be vaccinated, or solely due to not having been the primary care provider since birth?
by epmaybe 8y ago
Is the refusal to care in relation to a parent not wanting their child to be vaccinated, or solely due to not having been the primary care provider since birth?
Edit: I guess my reasoning for this question is based on new guidance from the American Academy of Pediatricians regarding refusal of care to those who refuse childhood immunization. I can't say I agree with that sentiment, and I would also argue that the majority of pediatricians in the US do not refuse care to families who refuse immunization. Why? Because it makes far more sense for a physician to continue to follow up with patients to continue recommending they get immunized. I assure you that most doctors, including pediatricians, don't want kids to die, so most don't refuse care just cause of a family not wanting to vaccinate their kid. It's unfair to a kid that likely doesn't have the competence or capacity to make decisions for themselves. I can't speak towards any pediatrician refusing care, or their reasoning, because I literally have not met one that does.
Edit 2: here is some explanation from the AAP as to when they would recommend dismissal of a family. Note that they specifically note that dismissal should be "a very last resort".
- danielvf 8y agoIn our town at least, all of the pediatrician practices that I know about, will not accept a child either did not start with them as newborn, or who moved to the town. This is handled by the front desk, before any discussion of care or vaccinations. At least one pediatrician in our area will also dismiss your child as a patient if you do not schedule something approximating their recommended appointments schedule with them. I agree 100% with you that refusing to care because of vaccination choices should not be done, and that it does harm the cause of vaccinations. (That's the point I was trying to get across in my original post.)
- epmaybe 8y agoHmm, that's weird then. I can see how a pediatrician would stop accepting any new patients, if they are totally booked, but not these criteria.
- danielvf 8y agoHealthcare in general in our small city is fairly messed up. I'm glad to hear this kind of thing isn't as widespread as I thought.