Pediatrics to Young Adult Primary Care
Dr. Brandie Chan, MD, is a general pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. She sees patients at Primary Care – Florence Pediatrics
Q: What does a pediatrician do?
A: Specialists, like pediatricians, have undergone advanced training and education in a specific field of medicine. As a pediatrician, our primary role is to provide specialized care, expertise and treatment to newborns, adolescents, teens and adults. In addition to well-child exams, immunizations, including RSV, sick visits and sports physicals, we play a crucial role in educating patients about their condition, as well as treatment options and preventive measures to keep you healthy for years to come. Pediatricians also offer guidance and support to help manage chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, allergies and autoimmune disorders. Pediatricians regularly collaborate with other medical specialists and make referrals when needed.
Q: What’s surprising about your specialty that people might not know?
A: We have a unique practice at St. Elizabeth. Many might believe that pediatricians only provide care to newborns and teens. But at St. Elizabeth our pediatricians continue to provide care for their patients as they grow into young adults and often see patients as they navigate their college years. This allows patients to stay with their trusted doctors during these transitional years. Also, some may not be aware that as pediatricians, we help our patients with school and behavioral assessments, skin conditions, assess and treat injuries, fractures and minor wounds. and also offer guidance on infant feeding and transitioning to solid foods as well as healthy eating habits and obesity prevention.
Q: What is St. Elizabeth doing in the field of pediatrics that is innovative, unique or leading edge that is helping patients?
A: St. Elizabeth pediatricians are committed to innovative and patient-centered practices. We introduced video visits, making care more convenient and easily accessible for patients to seek care remotely. Additionally, the inclusion of a clinical social worker within the practice has been a significant asset to both providers and our patients. This counselor offers therapy services to patients, providing essential behavioral health support to those in need.
We also prioritize accessibility for patients regardless of their insurance status. St. Elizabeth’s commitment to offering care to patients, regardless of insurance, and to those who receive Medicaid is also a differentiator — ensuring that there are no barriers to access and everyone can be seen.
Q: What is currently on the horizon for your specialty? What advances might we expect in the next few years?
A: The use of video visits is an emerging trend. St. Elizabeth embraces telemedicine and other technology, making healthcare more accessible to all. Additionally, ongoing collaboration with other specialists, research into new treatments and procedures, and improvements in electronic health records will play a crucial role in shaping the future of pediatric care.
Q: Do St. Elizabeth pediatricians offer screenings for early detection of illness?
A: St. Elizabeth pediatricians play a crucial role in offering screenings for the early detection of various illnesses. These screenings are an essential part of preventive care and are designed to identify potential health concerns at an early stage.
As pediatricians, we use age-appropriate standardized screening tools and integrate them into the preventive care provided during well-visits and routine checkups. This ensures that the right screenings are performed at the right time. The screenings we offer address a wide range of health aspects, including developmental milestones to detect any delays or behavioral issues, as well as the evaluation of other conditions related to obesity prevention, the prevention of chronic conditions such as diabetes, and maintaining appropriate vaccinations.
St. Elizabeth uses an electronic medical records system with a health maintenance feature. This feature is aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine schedule. It provides automated patient reminders for necessary screenings and vaccinations, further contributing to early detection and preventive care.
Q: From your perspective as a pediatrician, what should people be aware of to prevent disease or catch it early?
A: People should be aware of the importance of regular well-check visits, even beyond the requirements for school vaccinations. Regular annual visits, regardless of a patient’s age and whether a vaccine is needed, can aid in preventing major chronic conditions, as pediatrics focuses on identifying and addressing health concerns before they become serious. Staying on schedule with well-checks and following the recommended vaccine schedule is crucial for disease prevention and early detection.
With the cold and flu season upon us, we’re working to bring awareness to the prevention of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) a seasonal virus that causes cough, nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. RSV generally starts in the fall and peaks in the winter and in severe cases can require hospitalization. Research studies have shown that the RSV immunization helped reduce the risk of severe RSV by about 80%. One dose protects infants for at least 5 months.
Learn more about pediatric care at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
