Neighbours ask me about their toddlers' fevers in the lift. I'm a physician, but not their child's doctor

citrus_kite_85994 Jun 2026

Since word went round the building that I'm a doctor, young parents stop me in the lift and at the gate with questions about their toddlers: a fever since last night, a rash, whether a cough needs a visit. I'm a general physician, I see adults, and I'm in clinic only part of the week now. I don't want to be unkind, and I understand why they ask. But a corridor conversation about a child I haven't examined worries me, and whatever I say gets repeated as 'the doctor aunty said'. How do parents here feel when someone answers 'please check with your paediatrician'? Does it come across as brushing them off?

3 comments

fern_bookmark_99224 Jun 2026
Teachers get a milder version of this at birthday parties: 'is it normal that he can't read yet?' I've found it lands better if I ask one question back, how long has it been going on, and then say I'd want their own doctor or teacher to look at it. Most people want to know whether to worry tonight, and the question shows you took them seriously.
- bronze_sparrow_58074 Jun 2026
  Dermatologist here, and I get rash photos from my building's group. My standard reply is that photos hide too much and I'd rather they saw someone who can examine the child today. Most people accept it. The ones who don't usually wanted a reassurance I couldn't honestly give anyway.
jade_trail_33295 Jun 2026
From parent side: when my son had high fever at night, first thing I did was call the doctor uncle in our building in Bhopal. He only told 'go to the hospital now, or wait till morning and call your child doctor'. That was enough for us. We did not want treatment from him, only to know if it is serious tonight.
mellow_river_18036 Jun 2026
As one of those parents (two kids, one still tiny), I'd be relieved to hear 'call your paediatrician' from you, because it tells me it isn't an ambulance situation. Please don't stop saying hello in the lift though 😄