I’m A Pediatric Surgeon. If You Think Something Is Wrong With Your Child, You’re Probably Right.

Key Points:

• Dr. Emily Boss, a pediatric ENT surgeon, emphasizes that mothers often have an accurate "mom instinct" about their children's health, despite facing skepticism from family, friends, and even healthcare professionals.
• Research shows that mothers make up about 90% of parents present during pediatric visits, but many feel intimidated or dismissed by clinicians, which can undermine their confidence in advocating for their child's care.
• Implicit gender biases may lead clinicians to unconsciously question mothers' competence, contributing to delays and variations in diagnosis and treatment, as illustrated by the case of a child who waited a year for needed surgery.
• Effective healthcare communication involves clinicians listening, reassuring, including parents in decisions, and clearly explaining medical information, which helps mothers feel validated and supported.
• While trusting parental instincts is important, Dr. Boss cautions that it should complement, not replace, evidence-based medical advice and treatments recommended by healthcare professionals.