NZOZ Twój Lekarz is expanding the Coordinated Care program in POZ with consultations from a pediatric endocrinologist. Dr. Anna Skiba has been accepting the youngest patients in the Kobierzyce Clinic and in the facility at Buforowa Street 67 in Wrocław since the beginning of May. The new solution enables faster diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases in children - without the need for referral to external specialist clinics.

WHAT IS COORDINATED CARE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE?

Coordinated Care is a model of treatment organization in which a Primary Health Care physician (pediatrician or family doctor) not only diagnoses and manages the patient, but also plans their treatment in cooperation with specialists. This makes it possible to order additional tests, consultations and develop an individual treatment plan - all within one facility.

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGIST CONSULTATIONS – WHEN ARE THEY AVAILABLE?

As part of Coordinated Care, a primary care physician may seek the opinion of a pediatric endocrinologist, but this applies only to problems related to thyroid diseases in children. The consultation takes place internally, within the primary care team - without the need to wait for an appointment at an external clinic.

THE MOST COMMON THYROID DISEASES IN CHILDREN:

• Hypothyroidism – symptoms include chronic fatigue, slower growth, dry skin, weight gain, and apathy.
• Hyperthyroidism – may cause hyperactivity, difficulty sleeping, rapid heart rate, weight loss.
• Goiter, thyroid nodules – require in-depth hormonal evaluation and possible further diagnostics.

In such cases, the primary care physician may seek specialist advice to determine the further course of treatment without referring the patient to a specialist clinic.

HOW TO USE THE ADVICE OF A PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGIST IN COORDINATED CARE?

• Make an appointment with a primary care physician – a pediatrician or family doctor at our facility.
• The doctor will order tests and then assess whether the child’s problem is thyroid-related and qualifies for a consultation under Coordinated Care.
• If so, he or she will order internal specialist advice, without additional formalities and long waiting times.

WHY IS QUICK ACCESS TO A SPECIALIST SO IMPORTANT?

Thyroid diseases in children often develop without obvious symptoms. Thanks to Coordinated Care, the primary care physician has the possibility of a quick consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist, which significantly shortens the time of diagnosis and implementation of treatment. This is real support for parents and comfort for the child - without having to wait for weeks for a visit to a specialist clinic.