Intake process
Pediatric centre for weight and health
We look forward to meeting your child and getting to know your family. Follow these steps for completing our intake package.
-
Fill out the following:
- The family questionnaire, consent form and Children and Youth Nutrition Survey: The consent form must be signed by both parents, unless one parent has full custody of the child or if the child has a court-appointed legal guardian.
- Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) reports:
- Toddlers (ages 2-4): Parent report
- Young children (ages 5-7): Parent report | Young child report
- Children (ages 8-12): Parent report | Child report
- Teens (ages 13-17): Parent report | Teen report
Call us at 780.735.2394 if you have questions.
- Email the completed package to pcwhmis@albertahealthservices.ca or fax it to 780.735.2794 within six weeks. After receiving it, we will follow up to book your initial appointments and send you the 12-hour fasting bloodwork requisition. You can book appointments for all siblings who meet the criteria for our clinic at the same time. If you submit your package within six weeks and no one contacts you, call us at 780.735.2394.
- Once you receive your 12-hour fasting bloodwork requisition, take your child to the laboratory (i.e., DynaLIFE). We advise you to book your appointment early in the morning so your child can have breakfast right after the blood has been taken. This bloodwork must be done at least two weeks before your first visit with us.
Your first visit
During your first visit, our diverse group of healthcare professionals will get to know your child and family dynamic, as well as any specific circumstances that could affect treatment.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the visit:
- Make childcare arrangements for siblings who are not being seen in the clinic. We are unable to provide childcare during appointments.
- Arrive on time. Families must attend appointments as scheduled.
- Bring water, snacks and activities to occupy younger children. Your first visit will take about two to three hours.
- Get to know your care team. Your care team will help identify what may be contributing to your child’s weight and will work together to provide comprehensive care for your child. Your child’s first assessments are usually with a combination of our registered nurse, pediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist. Depending on your child’s needs, you may also meet with the dietician and exercise specialist in future appointments.
- Plan to book follow-up appointments as needed.
Follow-up appointments
We will do our best to book appointments that work for your family’s schedule during our open hours.
For many families, follow-up appointments will be monthly. Appointments may be more or less often depending on your child’s needs and the recommendations of your care team. At each visit, the team will talk with your family about what is going well and any challenges you are having.
You will also receive information and recommendations about healthy lifestyle changes and set goals for your family to work on at home between appointments with the help of our team. As you work on your goals, you will be in contact with the team about your progress and challenges. If you need extra support between appointments, contact us and we will do our best to help you.
If we are unable to book your follow-up appointments while you are at the clinic, phone us at 780.735.2394. If you do not return a call from us after two messages, we will move ahead with closing your enrollment in the clinic.
Cancelling appointments
Please provide the clinic with as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment. Call to reschedule or request an online meeting with our team if you or your child are ill.
If you miss more than two appointments without notice or do not return calls from us, we will send a letter to your referring doctor or nurse practitioner informing them of discharge. Your file will be closed, and you will need a new referral to continue in the program.