Different Relationships
Dealing with children requires an entirely different skillset than dealing with adults, and pediatric orthopedic specialists hone their approach over the years. An appropriate pediatric bedside manner is important not just so the child will have a positive impression of the practitioner but so that the patient will communicate with them, listen thoroughly and follow directions.
Dr. Talwalkar said that his approach differs, depending on the child, but he does whatever it takes to connect with them. “The most important thing is you have to get down to their level. So, if that means you have to sit on the floor, you sit on the floor. If it means that they're more comfortable in their parent’s lap, you examine them that way. If they have siblings in the room who can get them to do the things they need to do for you to observe them, then use all the tools that are necessary.”
Treating children also calls for using kid gloves, so to say, when dealing with patients to make their entire experience – and each and every visit – as positive as possible. “The whole staff here is focused on how to make a child's visit a little less scary and a little more fun so that, when they leave, they feel like they want to come back instead of being scared about the interaction,” he said.
Since many pediatric orthopedic patients require ongoing care, both Betancourt and Dr. Talwalkar enjoy forming long-term relationships with children as well as their families. “Being a part of the journey of a child from onset of injury through treatment and ultimately through their progression back to play is what I love and appreciate the most about my role,” Betancourt said.
Dr. Talwalkar agrees: “Because you get to develop a relationship with them – a lot of my patients I've known essentially their whole life – I value that relationship. That's one of the things that I enjoy.”
Indeed, compared to treating an adult patient who may or may not bring someone with them to a hospital visit, pediatric patients are usually surrounded by family. The practitioners thus have to communicate with them, develop a rapport with them and take their unique home environment into account.
“We also treat the family as a unit,” Betancourt said. “The treatment plan developed for each patient considers their unique family situation as well as their unique lifestyle and goals. Educating patients and their families is a genuine passion of mine. I always take extra time to ensure that my patients and their families understand their injury, and they also understand the reasoning behind my decision-making and treatment approach.”
Shriners Children’s special brand of wrap-around care, which aims to treat every aspect of a patient, makes parents’ lives easier by providing many services under one roof. “A unique and wonderful aspect of the Shriners system is our multidisciplinary care,” Betancourt said. “Patients are able to see a pediatric orthopedic specialist who can enlist the support and guidance of our child life specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists and prosthetists, nutritionists and social workers.”
After working at Shriners Children’s for 26 years, Dr. Talwalkar still enjoys every day at the hospital as much as his first. He loves the kids, of course, calling them “resilient and so much fun,” but he appreciates his colleagues, too. “I've had great partners to work with, and pediatric orthopedics tends to attract people who are pretty happy and fun to be with,” he said. “I think it's a career that – if I had to do it all over again – I would choose it in a heartbeat. It's been wonderful.”
