Why Concierge Pediatrics Improves Preventive Screenings

As a pediatrician, I have spent years watching the healthcare landscape change. For many parents, a visit to the doctor has become a race against the clock. You wait in the lobby, you wait in the exam room, and then you get about ten to fifteen minutes with the doctor. In that short time, we have to check the ears, listen to the heart, discuss vaccines, and answer your questions.

But there is a vital piece of the puzzle that often gets squeezed out when we are rushing: thorough preventive screenings. This is exactly why I am so passionate about the concierge model. When we remove the time constraints and the overflowing waiting rooms, we can focus on what truly matters—keeping your child healthy before they ever get sick.

In this article, I want to share my perspective on concierge pediatric preventive screenings and why having a dedicated, unhurried doctor makes a world of difference for your child’s long-term development.

The Hidden Value of Time in Medicine

Time is the most valuable tool in a pediatrician’s bag. In a traditional high-volume practice, doctors are often required to see 25 to 30 patients a day. That pace is exhausting for the doctor and frustrating for the parent. More importantly, it creates a risk that subtle signs might be missed.

Preventive screenings are not just boxes to check on a form. They are complex evaluations that require observation, conversation, and intuition. When I have 30 to 60 minutes for a wellness visit instead of 15, the dynamic changes completely. I can watch how your toddler plays with toys on the floor while we talk. I can listen to the tone of voice your teenager uses when answering questions. These small details are often the first clues regarding developmental delays or emotional struggles.

With concierge pediatric preventive screenings, we aren’t just looking for physical ailments; we are looking at the whole child. We have the luxury of time to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

Moving Beyond Height and Weight

When most people think of a check-up, they think of growth charts. While tracking height and weight is important, preventive screenings cover so much more. In my practice, we dive deep into several key areas that require patience and focus.

Developmental Milestones

From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops faster than at any other time in life. We use specific tools to track milestones in speech, motor skills, and social interaction. In a rushed environment, a parent might be handed a questionnaire to fill out in the lobby while juggling a crying baby. It is easy to rush through it and check “yes” just to get it done.

In a concierge setting, we go through these milestones together. If you aren’t sure if your child is stacking blocks correctly, I can get down on the floor and we can test it right there. This hands-on approach ensures the data we get is accurate.

Vision and Hearing

Subtle vision or hearing issues can look like behavioral problems or learning disabilities later in school. Standard screenings happen quickly, and if a child is scared or uncooperative, a busy office might say, “We will try next time.”

Because I know my patients and they trust me, we can usually get these screenings done calmly. If a child is having a bad day, my concierge model allows us to simply reschedule the screening for a few days later without a hassle. We don’t skip it; we just adapt to your child’s needs.

The Autism Screening Advantage

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screenings are standard at 18 and 24 months. However, the signs of autism can be very subtle. A checklist helps, but it is not a substitute for a doctor’s experienced eye observing a child over time.

Because I see my patients frequently and have built a relationship with them, I can notice changes that a doctor seeing you for the first time might miss. I notice eye contact patterns, how they point to objects, and how they react to their name. Concierge pediatric preventive screenings allow for an ongoing conversation about neurodevelopment, rather than a one-time pass/fail test. Early intervention is the key to the best outcomes, and early intervention starts with accurate, early detection.

Teen Mental Health: The Need for Trust

One of the most critical areas of modern pediatrics is mental health. Anxiety and depression rates in teenagers are rising. Screening a teenager for depression isn’t as simple as checking their blood pressure. It requires trust.

Imagine a teenager sitting in a sterile room with a doctor they have only met once for five minutes. They are unlikely to open up about their feelings, bullying, or substance use. Now, imagine that same teenager with a doctor they have known for years, who has the time to sit and chat about school, hobbies, and life before asking the hard questions.

In my practice, I create a safe space. Because we aren’t rushing to the next room, I can ask open-ended questions. I can wait through the awkward silences until a teen feels ready to speak. This depth of care is what makes concierge pediatric preventive screenings so effective for mental and behavioral health.

A Comparison of Care Models

It can be hard to visualize the difference between a standard practice and what I offer. I created this chart to show how the environment impacts the quality of preventive care.

Technology and Access Improve Consistency

Preventive care does not stop when you leave the office. Another reason why concierge pediatric preventive screenings are superior is our ability to use technology for follow-ups. If we are monitoring a potential issue—perhaps a speech delay or a reaction to a new food—you don’t need to book an appointment and drive into the office to give me an update.

My parents can text me a video of their child speaking or send a photo of a rash. This continuous flow of information acts as a real-time screening tool. I can look at a video and say, “That looks great, let’s keep watching,” or “I think we should see a specialist.” This removes the barriers to care. In a traditional model, parents often wait until things get “bad enough” to justify an appointment. In my model, we address worries instantly, keeping small problems from becoming big ones.

Nutritional and Lifestyle Screenings

Physical health is built on a foundation of good nutrition and sleep. However, discussing diet and sleep habits takes a long time. Telling a parent “make sure they eat vegetables” is not helpful. We need to discuss how to make that happen.

During our extended visits, we analyze diet in detail. We talk about picky eating, vitamin intake, and meal schedules. We also screen for sleep disorders which are often misdiagnosed as ADHD. Because I have the time to ask about a typical 24-hour day in your life, I can pinpoint environmental factors that might be affecting your child’s health. This holistic view is a hallmark of the concierge approach.

Empowering Parents to Speak Up

One of the most interesting things I have noticed is that parents are smarter than they give themselves credit for. You know your child better than anyone. However, in a rushed doctor’s office, parents often feel intimidated. They don’t want to be “that parent” who asks too many questions when the doctor has one hand on the doorknob.

In my practice, I want you to be “that parent.” I want to hear every worry, no matter how small. Often, a parent’s gut feeling is the most accurate screening tool we have. By creating a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere, I empower you to voice those concerns. When you tell me, “He just seems a little off lately,” we investigate it. We don’t dismiss it.

This partnership is vital. According to the CDC, developmental monitoring is a team effort between parents and doctors. You can read more about the importance of tracking these milestones on the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” page. This resource highlights why active monitoring is so important, and it aligns perfectly with the philosophy of concierge care.

The Long-Term Impact of Better Screening

Why does all of this matter? It matters because the earlier we catch a problem, the easier it is to fix. A speech delay caught at 18 months is much easier to treat than one caught at age five when the child enters kindergarten. A vision problem corrected in a toddler prevents learning struggles in elementary school.

By investing in concierge pediatric preventive screenings, you are investing in your child’s future potential. We aren’t just treating ear infections and flu viruses; we are actively managing your child’s development to ensure they grow up to be the healthiest, happiest version of themselves.

A Personal Commitment to Your Child

As Dr. Anita Sabeti, I view my role as more than just a medical provider. I am a partner in your parenting journey. I believe that medicine should be proactive, not reactive. We shouldn’t wait for sickness to see a doctor; we should use our time together to build a fortress of health around your child.

The concierge model restores the doctor-patient relationship to what it used to be—and what it should be. It gives us the time to laugh, to play, to talk, and most importantly, to look closely. It turns a standard check-up into a comprehensive health strategy session.

Looking Forward to Healthier Futures

Choosing a pediatrician is one of the biggest decisions you make as a parent. You deserve a doctor who knows your child’s name, knows their history, and has the time to ensure they are thriving in every way possible.

If you are tired of feeling rushed and want a more thorough, personalized approach to your child’s healthcare, I invite you to explore what concierge pediatrics can offer. Through dedicated concierge pediatric preventive screenings, we can catch issues early, solve problems quickly, and give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your child is in the best possible hands. Let’s work together to build a bright, healthy future for your family.