Philosophy

Our philosophy is unique. At Riverview Pediatrics, we do not ascribe to the widely accepted physician-patient relationship. While generally considered the standard of care, it leaves out an important piece. The parent. We believe strongly in the physician-parent-patient relationship. Pediatrics is different in that the parent is almost always involved in decision making since most patients are unable to make decisions for themselves. We believe that the best plans for patients are those made in collaboration. The role of the physician should be the one to diagnose the patient, to lay out the options and help guide the parent as to the best options; but the parents should be the one making the decision with few exceptions.

Based on this premise, our philosophy differs from every other practice. While my training, experience, and belief system determines what I feel is right for all patients, I can put that aside and understand that the patient is somebody’s child. Somewhere between Hippocrates and today, physicians have forgotten this vital truth. Whether it is a homeopathic medicine, the decisions around vaccinations, or no interventions at all, physicians do not want to accept anything that is not traditional or recommended by the CDC or the American Academy of Pediatrics. Understandably the physician must reach a conclusion based on the patient’s and parent’s wishes, but he or she must still feel comfortable with that decision.

Nowhere in medicine is this as controversial as vaccines. We have been taught that there is one way to vaccinate a child. The schedule and recommendations of the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. My thoughts on the best way to vaccinate based on experience, reading, and training is that all children should be immunized entirely based on these guidelines. Currently, greater than 95% of our patients follow the standard recommendations. Some parents, based on their research and comfort level, do not wish to vaccinate at all. Is this what I recommend? No, but ultimately, this is their child.