On the Day of Your Visit
Arrival Tips
Plan to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Allow an additional 15 minutes for parking and walking to the clinic.
Depending on your appointment location, you will check in at a registration kiosk or with front desk staff.
For the physical exam, your child should wear or bring a pair of shorts. This will allow the Rheumatology team to examine your child’s joints.
If you are running late, contact us by phone or via MyChart.
During Your Appointment
Your first Rheumatology visit typically lasts 1 to 2 hours. While the visit may be longer than some routine appointments, this gives our team time to understand your child’s symptoms and look carefully for possible causes.
During the visit, we will:
- Talk with you and your child about symptoms, health history and previous test results
- Perform a physical exam, including an examination of the joints
- Discuss possible diagnoses and whether additional testing is needed
- Talk about treatment options and next steps
Your child will typically meet with one or more rheumatologists, a nurse and a medical assistant. Depending on your child’s needs, you also may meet with a pharmacist, social worker, research coordinator, physical therapist or occupational therapist.
Additional testing may be recommended during or after the visit. This can include blood tests or an ultrasound study.
Because Cincinnati Children’s is committed to improving treatment for children with rheumatic conditions, our team also may tell you about research opportunities that could be appropriate for your child. Participation in research is voluntary.
Helping Your Child Feel Comfortable
We know that children and families may feel anxious before a first Rheumatology appointment. Our team will check in with you while you wait and offer age-appropriate toys and activities, coloring, artwork and video options to help your child feel comfortable. Drinks and snacks also may be available.
Many rheumatic conditions require ongoing treatment and follow-up care. That’s why our team approach includes a range of professionals who will help support your child and family along the way.
After Your Appointment
Before you leave, you will receive an After Visit Summary in print form or digitally through MyChart. It will include information about your visit and the next steps in your child’s evaluation and treatment.
Depending on your child’s needs, next steps may include:
- Follow-up in 2 to 3 months, when appropriate
- Blood tests or other laboratory testing
- An ultrasound or other imaging study
- Medical treatment
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Referral to another specialist
Sometimes, more discussion about your child’s next steps will take place after the first visit. We will talk with you about additional plans at a follow-up appointment or through a telehealth visit.
Your child’s referring provider and primary care provider will receive a summary of the visit as long as their contact information is included in your child’s medical record.
Staying Connected Between Appointments
We encourage families to use MyChart to contact the Rheumatology team between appointments. You also can contact the clinic by phone to speak with a scheduler, nurse or other member of the team.
We understand that many families travel from outside the Cincinnati area for Rheumatology appointments. Transportation resources are available to help families who need assistance getting to Cincinnati Children’s.
