Virtual pediatric care leverages our access to technology to help with various healthcare services. This shift in access offers many benefits when looking for quick and convenient care for our children. But, in the same breath, the service has important limitations that you should consider when adding it to your pediatric care resource bank.
Consider the pros and cons of a virtual pediatrician, and ensure you're making the most educated choice for your family.
You can get the same great care that you'd expect from a visit to primary care via video chat with an online provider in a fraction of the time. Cut out the drive to the doctor's office, the time in the waiting room, and the additional wait time in the exam room and move toward near-immediate medical care. With a virtual pediatrician, you can be seen quickly without extended waits.
Your child's primary care provider is essential to their medical resources. Their relationship is much stronger than those built with one-off virtual pediatric provider visits. That is why pairing your online care with in-person care is necessary.
Every sniffle does not need to be accompanied by a trip to the doctor's office. If your child needs assessment between regularly scheduled in-person doctor visits, an online pediatrician session can help bridge the gap. Tap into your virtual resources to get guidance for everyday health issues, and cut down on time (and money) spent going to your primary care office.
A virtual pediatrician is great for general guidance and can help diagnose everyday illnesses that enter your household. It cannot, however, replace chronic and long-term care that your child may require. For more serious matters, your primary care and specialist providers will be able to provide the care your child needs.
With the addition of a virtual pediatrician option, you have choices regarding your child's medical care. You are not bound to speak with a medical professional during business hours. Virtual providers offer 24/7 access to doctors and allow you to avoid unnecessary urgent and emergency room care visits.
Additional subscription expenses may accompany access to a virtual pediatrician. Understanding how the asset's value can offset the cost associated with its use is crucial. Ask yourself: Will reducing copay and urgent care costs be worth it? How much time can I save using a virtual provider versus an in-person option? Does this virtual care option come with additional resources that might be useful to me? The answers will help you make an educated decision.
With virtual pediatrician options, you have access to a medical professional from anywhere you can get internet or data connections. This universal accessibility factor ensures that your child can get the care they need, when they need it, from right where you are. Every hiccup in your child's health doesn't mean you must pack up and head to the doctor's office. Instead, gain insight from the comfort of your home (or wherever you may be). It's convenient and can cut down on stress for many parents.
ParentMD's online pediatrician services can be an asset to your child's medical home. Gain peace of mind knowing that as a member of our ParentMD community, you have 24/7 access to a board-certified pediatrician. We've partnered with Blueberry Pediatrics to provide prompt care so you can schedule a virtual visit anytime and get seen within 30 minutes.
Check out what other parents are saying, then become a member and explore all that our 24/7 virtual pediatrician and membership has to offer for yourself!
