Not sure it is really different. Re immunization please find an interesting article below. Immunization rate was high, higher in children of pediatricians indeed.

Posfay-Barbe KM et al. How do physicians immunize their own children? Differences among pediatricians and nonpediatricians. Pediatrics. 2005 Nov;116(5):e623-33.

Results

Ninety-two percent of pediatricians followed the official immunization recommendations for their own children. In contrast, after controlling for gender, workplace, type of practice, and year of diploma, nonpediatricians were more likely not to have immunized their children against measles, mumps, hepatitis B, or Haemophilus influenzae type b. They more frequently postponed diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 2.0-10.19) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. Although projected immunization rates were higher than effective rates, 10% of nonpediatricians would still not follow the official immunization recommendations in 2004.

Conclusion

Ninety-three percent of the surveyed physicians agree with the current official vaccination recommendations and would apply them to their own children. However, the observation that 5% of nonpediatricians would not use Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine if they had a child born in 2004 is unexpected and concerning. In contrast, both groups gave additional vaccines than those recommended to their own children. Among physicians in Switzerland interested in immunization, a significant proportion of nonpediatricians decline or delay the immunization of their own children with the recommended MMR- or DTP-based combination vaccines, which indicates that clarification of misconceptions such as fear of "immune overload" has not yet reached important targets among health care providers who thus are unlikely to answer parental concerns adequately

That is why you should not treat, or manage, your own children. I asked for a trustworthy pediatrician for mine. A lot of time we treat our own with non-conventional way just because family around us expect a very quick symptom relief that put us under pressure.

Not sure it is really different. Re immunization please find an interesting article below. Immunization rate was high, higher in children of pediatricians indeed.

Posfay-Barbe KM et al. How do physicians immunize their own children? Differences among pediatricians and nonpediatricians. Pediatrics. 2005 Nov;116(5):e623-33.

Results

Ninety-two percent of pediatricians followed the official immunization recommendations for their own children. In contrast, after controlling for gender, workplace, type of practice, and year of diploma, nonpediatricians were more likely not to have immunized their children against measles, mumps, hepatitis B, or Haemophilus influenzae type b. They more frequently postponed diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 2.0-10.19) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. Although projected immunization rates were higher than effective rates, 10% of nonpediatricians would still not follow the official immunization recommendations in 2004.

Conclusion

Ninety-three percent of the surveyed physicians agree with the current official vaccination recommendations and would apply them to their own children. However, the observation that 5% of nonpediatricians would not use Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine if they had a child born in 2004 is unexpected and concerning. In contrast, both groups gave additional vaccines than those recommended to their own children. Among physicians in Switzerland interested in immunization, a significant proportion of nonpediatricians decline or delay the immunization of their own children with the recommended MMR- or DTP-based combination vaccines, which indicates that clarification of misconceptions such as fear of "immune overload" has not yet reached important targets among health care providers who thus are unlikely to answer parental concerns adequately

I think they are potentially at risk of inadequate or inappropriate treatment and/or investigations. I treat doctor parents like other well educated and well informed parents, but because they have to potential to investigate and prescribe for their children, I usually give these kids a "fast pass" to see me. I then strongly discourage self investigation and self treatment. Having said that, they are like other well educated parents and are less compliant than the not so well educated!

This is an interesting topic. So far all the responses have focused on the negative effects that might be seen, but it is just as likely that a physician will recognize needs early institute appropriate interventions and improve outcomes. They are after all well informed intelligent and highly motivated. I think if you look carefully you will find both good and bad care. It is dangerous for physicians to prescribe controlled medications for family but it is good to have a parent who really knows hhow to recognize dangerous from nondangerous illness. Over all my experience is that the children of physicians receive excellent care in part because of the parents background and insights. Judgement doesn't have to be clouded by closeness.

Rather than receive "sub - par treatment" I think they are more likely to be over investigated and over treated!

I agree that they are more likely to be over investigated whch may be a form of subpar treatment.

As in all other situations, what we need is evidence that is sorely lacking. Doctors who are parents should have the right to make decisions, about their own health and that of their children, under autonomy that is a basic universal human right; or are doctors denied that right? Doctors are better informed about symptoms of disease and the need for referral. What we need is evidence - proper evidence on which we can decide whether it is harmful for doctors to manage minor illness like coughs and colds or attacks of diarrhea in their own children like all other parents.

I agree that doctors who have children tend to over treat their own children. This is because they think of the worst case scenario and their objectivity is compromised once their own child is sick. It is more likely to be overzealous investigation and treatment rather than sub-par treatment! As a paediatrician practising in a low resource setting I have observed that by the time doctors consult about their own children's illness, they will have tried something which will not have worked. As a mother, I have done the same!

Dr get panicky very soon and they change treatment very frequently, that is the reason they should not treat their children