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Dr. Jim Park fist bumps young patient

Children's National Heart Center

Questions to Ask Your Pediatric Surgeon

Dr. Jim Park fist bumps young patient

If your child requires surgery, you will meet with a pediatric surgeon. Determining the right questions to ask might be difficult, so use the questions below as a helpful guide.

  • Why is this treatment or procedure being recommended, and what exactly will happen?
  • Can you send me for a second opinion?
  • What are the potential risks?
  • What potential benefits have been seen, or might be deemed possible?
  • What about my child’s quality of life? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
  • If this is a trial procedure, why would you choose this one over another one?
  • What is your medical background? How long have you been doing procedures or treatments like this? Where did you train?
  • Are your anesthesiologists fellowship trained in pediatrics?
  • Can I be involved in the care process for my child?
  • Do you have a pre-surgical tour that can help ease my child’s fears regarding the process?

Visual Resources to Prepare for a Visit

Our Autism Behavioral Consult team has compiled visual resources that any family can review with their child to make them more comfortable before all types of doctor's visits.