How to Prepare for Your Visit to Our Rheumatology Clinic
Childhood rheumatic illnesses are complex, chronic, and unpredictable. The UCSD/Rady Pediatric Rheumatology Division is a team of medical professionals looking to provide the best care and treatment plan for your child.
During the visit, your child will have vital signs measured, which includes taking the temperature, blood pressure, and other physical measurements of your child. The rheumatologist will perform a physical exam on your child. Please have your child wear loose-fitting clothing or bring shorts that they can change into. It may also be helpful to have your child wear shoes and socks that are easily removed so that the physician can provide a thorough exam.
Who are the Members of the Pediatric Rheumatology Healthcare Team?
When you come to a scheduled visit, your child may only see the doctor and the nurse, but other children may need to be evaluated by other members of our team, depending on the need. Childhood arthritis and other rheumatic diseases may last for years, so it is important for you and your child to become part of our team. This occurs gradually, over time, and requires that you learn and become involved in the community of others with your child’s rheumatic condition. We will provide you with educational materials and opportunities to join organizations for children with rheumatic disease. We encourage you to keep your own record of your child’s visits, medications and symptoms, as well as ask questions at every opportunity.
Johanna Chang, M.D.
Pediatric Rheumatologist
Board Certified in Pediatric Rheumatology
Omkar Phadke, M.D.
Pediatric Rheumatologist
Board Certified in Pediatric Rheumatology
Aviya Levy, M.D.
Pediatric Rheumatology
Board Eligible in Pediatric Rheumatology
Our Rheumatologists are pediatricians who are experienced in the care of children with arthritis and other rheumatic disease. Their job is to help diagnose and treat your child’s illness and to make sure that your child can participate in regular school and after-school activities. To accomplish this, they work with several other professionals listed below, and together the pediatric rheumatology team makes sure that your child receives the best possible care.
The doctors are also teachers of rheumatology for other doctors. You may sometimes see a medical student who may also be accompanied by a fellow or resident doctor. There is no better way for residents and fellow doctors to learn about childhood arthritis and rheumatic diseases. However, you will be asked permission for your child to be seen and it is perfectly acceptable to decline.
Social Worker: Sharon Chang
The role of the social worker in the Rheumatology Clinic involves the assessment of overall family functioning as it relates to the child’s diagnosis and treatment plan. After the psychosocial assessment is facilitated, the social worker formulates appropriate interventions, such as counseling, referral to community resources, or crisis intervention. The social worker also collaborates regularly with other members of the team to ensure continuity of patient cares, as well as treatment goals. She is available on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Clinic.
Physical Therapist: Anita Torres and Mary Kaleta
The physical therapist acts as a consultant for your child’s therapy needs by assessing the range of motion (ROM), strength, gait, and joint status of the patient. Splinting and ongoing therapy needs are also monitored. Our goal is always for all children to be independent and included in all school and after-school activities. The physical therapist acts as a facilitator of independence for children with arthritis by strengthening muscles surrounding the large joints primarily of the legs, splinting joints that need support, maintaining and increasing range of motion, and improving endurance. Physical activities are encouraged; the more active the child, the better the final outcome.
Nurses: Donna Douglas, RN and Esther Ford, RN
The rheumatology nurse, or “care coordinator”, is responsible for all the nursing needs of our patients and for coordinating the patient’s care. The nurse will see your child after every visit with the physician and review the plan of care the physician as set out for you. In addition, the nurse will facilitate the ordering of laboratory tests and other tests. The nurse can also help access community agencies, such as CCS (California Children’s Services) and the Arthritis Foundation and will coordinate with your child’s school nurse and/or teacher, if needed. You may also leave non-urgent questions on the voicemail outside normal hours.
Medical Assistant: Aries Aranda
The medical assistant will call you from the waiting room and will see you before the doctor to assess your child’s current status and medications, as well as check for any problem areas. Please know all of your child’s medications when you come to each visit.
Administrative Associate: Sophia Ibarra
The Administrative Associate’s role in the rheumatology team is to schedule appointments for those patients who need to be seen on an urgent basis. The Administrative Assistant also handles the doctors’ schedules and takes all phone messages for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out the results of my child’s laboratory studies?
You should call your Rheumatologist for the results of any studies that our physicians have ordered. While this may not be the regular practice in many doctor’s offices, it is how you find out results here. We expect and encourage you to call. You can send a Mychart message, call at 858-966-8082 during office hours, and/or can leave a message if the office is closed and your question is not urgent. Many children have blood tests at outside laboratories. Please inform us of the location and number of the outside facility. Your call lets us know that your child had blood work even if the results have not reached us. Your call also assures that the tests will be obtained by our administrative assistant and reviewed by the physicians.
What if I have a question about my child’s condition?
Our practice has many children who need specialized care. As every child is important, so is the time that we spend with you in clinic. Please understand that the physicians and nurses are not always immediately available to answer your calls. Because we are in a clinical environment, the majority of our time is assisting families being seen in clinic. However, your needs are always important to us, and will we get back to you either the same day or within 48 hours (not including holidays or weekends). The physicians have coverage for each other when they are on vacation. Your questions will always be answered.
What should I do if my child is sick?
All children need a pediatrician who looks after regular health. Your child’s immunizations, general health and normal childhood illnesses are cared for by the pediatrician, not your Rheumatologist. Your pediatrician will also help you make decisions and will see your child for urgent problems. If your child needs a referral to other specialties, it is often the responsibility of your primary care physician to coordinate this process.