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Endocrine Clinic

Your child's first visit to the Endocrine Clinic (top)

Your child’s doctor has referred your child to the Diabetes Clinic at British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital (BCCH). This webpage will give you information about your appointment.

Please note: If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact the clinic as soon as possible (preferably, more than 48 hours in advance), so that your appointment time can be used by another patient.

If your child has been in contact with any infectious diseases (e.g. chicken pox or measles) during the three weeks before this appointment, please inform us as soon as possible, as your child may need to be rescheduled.

Where is the Endocrine Clinic located? (top)

British Columbia's Children's Hospital
4480 Oak Street, Room K2-125
(Children's Ambulatory Care Building, 2nd floor, Area #12, orange section)
Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4 Canada
Phone: 604-875-2117 / Fax: 604-875-3231

Click here for a map to our clinics.

What is the Endocrine Clinic? (top)

Children are referred to this clinic for an assessment (check-up) focused on growth and hormone function. The clinic has a multidisciplinary approach to taking care of children and families, and you may meet the endocrinologist and several members of the endocrine team:
  • clerical staff to book appointments, lab tests and x-ray studies
  • an endocrine nurse clinician to help you understand your child’s condition and treatment
  • a social worker/counsellor who can assist you in coping with the stresses of your child’s condition, as well as searching for helpful resources
  • because BCCH is a teaching hospital, you may also meet doctors-in-training (pediatric residents, endocrinology fellows and medical students)
What will happen during the visit? (top)

You and your child will talk to the nurse and have measurements done, and then be seen by the clinic endocrinologist. The staff endocrinologist may be assisted by a doctor-in-training who will talk to you about your child’s health and then do a complete “physical” (check-up), which may include a visual check of the genitalia. You will be with your young child for the entire visit. Young adults and parents are welcome to see the clinic staff separately, if desired.

Based on your visit and your referring doctor’s information, the endocrinologist will discuss the next step of the process with you. Further tests (blood tests, x-rays, etc) if necessary, are done elsewhere in the hospital and possibly on another day.

How long will I be there? (top)

Your first visit will be a minimum of 1½ hours. At the end of the assessment, your doctor will discuss with you the need for further tests (if necessary) to be done elsewhere in the hospital, possibly on another day. Plan on being at the hospital for at least 2 hours. Younger siblings may find this tiring, and although they are welcome, alternative baby sitting arrangements may make your visit more comfortable.

Please let us know your questions and any way we can make this visit more comfortable for you.

What should I bring to the clinic visit? (top)

It is important to your child to make this visit as informative as possible, so the adult(s) who come with her/him should have the best knowledge of the history. If possible, bring previous height and weight measurements. Please bring the following to each clinic visit:
  • your BC CareCard
  • your blue BC Children’s Hospital card (if you have one)
If you have a number of questions, most parents find it handy to make a list to bring with them.

"My child is scared of needles" (top)

Your child may require bloodwork at their first visit. EMLA® are Ametop™ are effective topical anesthetics when applied 1–2 hours prior to the “needle poke”. Ask the nurse about this when you arrive.

Can I see a social worker? (top)

Many of our patients or parents would like to see the Social Worker/Counsellor on the first visit. If this is the case, please call her at 604-875-2345, x7091, so that she can book an appointment during the time you will be here.

How will I hear the results? (top)

It may take three weeks or longer for some test results to be available. You will be informed of any abnormal test results, as well as discussing possible treatments. A detailed report of your child’s assessment will be sent to your referring doctor, and to other health professionals at your request. Freedom of Information requests are managed by BCCH Records Management & Patient Registration.

What are the follow-up visits like? (top)

We follow most patients every 3–12 months in the clinic, depending on your child's age and diagnosis, how far away you live, and your doctor's wishes. We will arrange a follow-up visit with you before you leave.

Follow-up visits are shorter, about 1–2 hours to see everyone and go to the lab if necessary.

Where can I find information about travel assistance, travel and accommodation? (top)

For information about the travel assistance plan, please go to out-of-town families. You can also find out about travel, accommodation and other resources.

The BC Family Residence Program can also assist some families with ground or air transportation: call 1-800-465-4911 or visit their website.

Interpreter services (top)

If an interpreter would be helpful for you, please phone the clinic as soon as possible and we will arrange for this.

Page Last Updated: 5 October 2012