Getzwell Pediatrics » alternative vaccination schedule

Whooping Cough: Who’s At Risk?

jgetzelman — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:43:49 +0000

California has officially declared the pertussis or whooping cough outbreak an epidemic. In fact, the golden state is on track to break a 50 year record number of cases, and 5 infants have died this year in California alone. At GetzWell, three of our own patients (all unvaccinated) have had it in the last few months! Fortunately these were not babies and the kids are healthy again, but it was a miserable period of many weeks of uncontrollable coughing. The most common scenario is a mild cold that lasts a few weeks before the coughing begins. If your child has a protracted cold (lasting more than 10 days without improvement) or a cough following a runny nose that’s lasted a couple weeks, call us for an appointment.

The first period of pertussis illness is deceptive because it usually just causes mild upper respiratory symptoms. Then in the final 8 weeks, the bacterium produces terrible coughing spells which deprive the person of oxygen. Worse, if a young baby is infected, (s)he may stop breathing altogether. And it is often the parents or caregivers of infants who unwittingly infect their babies with pertussis.

We encourage everyone be vaccinated against whooping cough (see below for particularly high risk categories) and particularly caregivers of those too young to have had several doses of vaccine (babies under 9 months of life specifically). We know that immunity to whooping cough begins to wain 5 or so years after being boosted and that even having the disease does not protect against future infection. So all preteens, teens and adults need to get the booster vaccine. We offer the booster, Tdap, for all parents and caregivers in addition to vaccinating our littlest patients with DTaP. We particularly recommend vaccination for those in the following categories:

Pregnant women (2nd or 3rd trimester) and their family members
Parents and caregivers of newborns or infants under 9 months
Unvaccinated or undervaccinated children
Preteens, teens, adults (who haven’t had a booster shot in the last 5 years)
Anyone with protracted cold symptoms or cough, especially those who have not been vaccinated, should be evaluated

Call us at 415.826.1701 (or email reception@getzwell.com) to schedule your Tdap booster or to have your child start or complete the primary vaccine series: 415.826.1701. We also welcome non-members interested in vaccination or evaluation.

Redefining Pediatric Medicine: Why GetzWell Pediatrics’ Unique Approach Requires Us To Be Out-of-Network

jgetzelman — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:38:49 +0000

Since its inception, San Francisco’s GetzWell Pediatrics has sought to redefine the field of pediatric medicine by providing customized health care for children and families. Some wonder why GetzWell is structured as a ‘fee-for-service’ or ‘direct pay’ practice rather than one that contracts with insurance companies. The reason is that GetzWell’s 21^st century integrative approach to health care is fundamentally at odds with the traditional insurance-based medical model.

In the traditional model, insurance companies set prices for physician services that encourage a rapid turnover, high volume practice. An insurer might set a price for a 5-7 minute visit at $35, for instance, but only pay $50 for 15 minutes or $70 for 30 minutes of care. In order to cover the exorbitant overhead that accompanies an insurance-based practice (including an entire staff of billing specialists and collection agents), physicians must see as many patients per hour as possible to make their practices viable. This turnstile approach has led to a ‘quick fix’ culture in medicine and discourages the development of meaningful relationships between families and their care providers. GetzWell Pediatrics categorically rejects this system as it isn’t the best way to care for kids (or anyone, for that matter).

Moreover, just because GetzWell is fee-for-service does not mean patients cannot use their insurance. In fact, most patients with PPO insurance receive some, often significant, reimbursement (subject to the specific terms of each policy). It is a very easy process to seek reimbursement or credit from insurers following office visits. Each time a patient receives care, GetzWell generates a ‘superbill’ reflecting payment along with a description of services. By simply mailing or faxing the superbill directly to the insurer, most families report they are reimbursed or otherwise credited within 4 weeks (based on the specific terms of their policy).

By remaining ‘out of network,’ GetzWell’s doctors and patients collaborate to make important health care decisions without interference from insurance companies. Insurers are relegated to a still important but secondary role whereby they cover some primary care costs plus emergencies, severe illness and catastrophic matters. As a result, the quality of care at GetzWell is unsurpassed and many unique services are available including:

Individually tailored care plans to fit the needs and lifestyles of patients by focusing on the underlying causes of illness and health and not merely suppressing symptoms;
Guidance about safe vaccination and individualized vaccine schedules based on each child’s risk factors and the family’s beliefs and lifestyle;
24/7 direct access to GetzWell pediatricians by phone and email;
More time spent per visit in order to answer questions, get to know parents and children, foster trusting relationships, provide education and discuss options as part of a holistic plan of care (e.g., a typical well child visit lasts 40 – 45 minutes in contrast to about 12 minutes in a traditional pediatric practice);
Options outside of typical prescription medications including food and lifestyle interventions, homeopathy, supplements, and developmental/emotional advice;
A combination of Western medicine and complementary and alternative approaches to illnesses or chronic problems that cannot be “fixed” by typical 20^th Century approaches;
A collaborative team comprised of board certified pediatricians plus an experienced certified lactation consultant, a pediatric nurse practitioner with a specialty in children’s development, and a psychotherapist with a focus on families and mothers (because transitioning to parenthood is one of life’s toughest yet most rewarding challenges!).
At GetzWell, we love what we do and this is reflected in the warmth with which families are greeted upon entering the office, the undivided attention patients receive at every visit, the unparalleled access and, most importantly, the result—having a child who is unusually healthy, seldom or never requiring antibiotics or other prescription medications. We value each patient, family and interaction and cherish the opportunity to practice medicine in a way that’s consistent with our deepest principles and beliefs.

GetzWell’s mission is based on the conviction that parents and trained health care professionals, not the insurance companies, should decide how kids are cared for. This is why we are ‘out-of-network.’

Please call us at 415.826.1701 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

GetzWell Pediatrics 1701 Church Street San Francisco, CA 94131 www.getzwell.com.

Dr. Getzelman’s mindful approach to vaccination

jgetzelman — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:36:48 +0000

This is a 2 part video that highlights GetzWell’s thoughtful, 21st Century approach to childhood vaccination. Dr. Getzelman was a panel member at the Bay Area Home Birth Collective‘s annual vaccine talk at San Francisco’s Waldorf School this year and speaks about GetzWell’s unique approach to vaccination.

vaccines at GetzWell #1

vaccines at GetzWell #2

Are you using safe personal care products for your child?

jgetzelman — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:02:43 +0000

Skin Deep is a safety guide to personal care products for children and adults brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

EWG brings together a team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers that pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and their own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Their research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.

Unrushed Office Visits

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:28:15 +0000

Unrushed Office Visits – Our office visits are unrushed. This allows us to cultivate relationships with families and partner with parents in helping them raise healthy, happy children. We believe that spending quality time with our patients (approximately 30-45 minutes per visit) is the bedrock of an integrative medicine approach versus a traditional Western medicine approach in which 10 – 15 minutes is typical. We view each patient encounter is an opportunity to educate parents about preventive health and integrative care.

Routine Childhood Vaccinations

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:22:40 +0000

Routine Childhood Vaccinations – We offer alternative vaccine schedules. Whether you choose to immunize on a conventional or alternative schedule, GetzWell Pediatrics is prepared to meet all of your child’s vaccine needs. We support childhood vaccination. However, we acknowledge that childhood immunization is one of the first major health related decisions that parents make for their children and should be carefully considered. We respect our families’ choices regarding vaccines and can provide in depth consultations upon request. Our board certified pediatricians accept Dr. Robert Sears’ alternative vaccination schedule and can help to formulate an individualized vaccination approach based on your family’s unique risk profile and other relevant considerations. For an extra fee, GetzWell pediatricians will provide vaccine only consultations to non members of the practice.

Routine Child Examinations

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:21:30 +0000

Routine Child Examinations – Whole kid care at GetzWell Pediatrics includes wellness visits at birth, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 21 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months and annually after age 3. Routine wellness exams allow us to monitor your child’s growth and development and to cultivate a partnership designed to optimize your child’s health within an integrative framework. Well child visits typically involve a thorough physical exam and history, updates to the family dynamic or social history, basic developmental screenings, immunizations, nutrition counseling, and plenty of time to discuss sleep, feeding and behavioral issues, constipation, eczema and other parental concerns.

Alternative Vaccine Schedules

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:20:36 +0000

Alternative Vaccine Schedules – We offer alternative vaccine schedules. Whether you choose to immunize on a conventional or alternative schedule, GetzWell Pediatrics is prepared to meet all of your child’s vaccine needs. We support childhood vaccination. However, we acknowledge that childhood immunization is one of the first major health related decisions that parents make for their children and should be carefully considered. We respect our families’ choices regarding vaccines and can provide in depth consultations upon request. Our board certified pediatricians accept Dr. Robert Sears’ alternative vaccination schedule and can help to formulate an individualized vaccination approach based on your family’s unique risk profile and other relevant considerations. For an extra fee, GetzWell pediatricians will provide vaccine only consultations to non members of the practice.

24/7 Physician Access

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:16:14 +0000

24/7 Physician Access – Members of the practice can reach the pediatricians at GetzWell Pediatrics by telephone for urgent matters after hours and on a 24/7 basis. Members are provided an after hour number to reach the on call doctor. During regular business hours, please call the main office at 415.826.1701 to speak with a physician. We never use an answering or nurse triage service, and you will always speak directly with a pediatrician, unlike most other pediatric practices. After hours calls should be limited to urgent issues and emergencies. For routine non urgent questions and matters, we also provide direct email communication with our pediatricians.

24/7 direct access

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:08:33 +0000

24/7 direct access – Members of the practice can reach the pediatricians at GetzWell Pediatrics by telephone for urgent matters after hours and on a 24/7 basis. Members are provided an after hour number to reach the on call doctor. During regular business hours, please call the main office at 415.826.1701 to speak with a physician. We never use an answering or nurse triage service, and you will always speak directly with a pediatrician, unlike most other pediatric practices. After hours calls should be limited to urgent issues and emergencies. For routine non urgent questions and matters, we also provide direct email communication with our pediatricians.