I'm a student paediatric nurse and we are taught to always ask the parents and the child (if they are old enough) about their condition. As you said they are the experts and know far more than us and often the doctors too!! They usually appreciate this aswell! In the medical profession I think it's SO important to be aware of what you don't know and ask for help when you don't, ef you are a student or a consultant you can't be expected to know everything. THe good professionals out there realise that. The cocky ones who think they know everything are the ones who get into trouble.