Since 2020, telehealth has come onto the scene as a convenient solution for parents everywhere. And it can be! But, how do you know when you should consider it instead of in-person care?
This guide with expert advice from Mumtaj Chand, DO, and Ashima Gupta, MD, will help you understand when telehealth could be the perfect solution, so the next time your child is sick or has a follow-up appointment, you can book their visit with confidence.
Telehealth visits are any visits with a pediatrician or pediatric clinician that occur without visiting in-person. They happen on a secure portal, providing you with quick, convenient access to a clinician who can diagnose non-urgent medical conditions.
At Zarminali, we currently offer video-based telehealth visits.
Being a parent means your child is going to get sick. In most cases, our pediatricians that offer video visits have same-day appointment availability Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. “These are a great option when you need to see a clinician quickly and conveniently without having to take a trip to the clinic,” says Dr. Gupta.
We’re happy to offer video visits to families in states where we’re opening clinics soon, such as Illinois.
While not all needs can be addressed through virtual appointments, such as well child visits or sports physicals, there are many common ailments that can be evaluated with a telehealth visit.
Here are some common symptoms we evaluate through a telehealth appointment:
Our Zarminali clinicians’ main priority is to deliver excellent care to your child. Depending on the concerns shared during the intake, our team may contact you to ask additional questions. “In some cases, notes from the parent help us decide whether an in-person visit would be more appropriate to best support the child,” says Dr. Chand. “We want to make the most of our visit together to get your child the care they need to feel better.”
If we believe that a telehealth visit alone is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, our team may suggest an in-person appointment instead.
If your child is an established patient with a Zarminali clinician, you may also be able to complete the following types of appointments via telehealth:
“These appointments are for families who already have an established relationship with a provider,” says Dr. Chand. “They focus on ongoing or long-term conditions and can be a helpful way for families to check in between in-person appointments.”
Certain factors, such as the age of the child or nature of the symptoms, make an in-person evaluation necessary.
Newborns and infants (especially under 3 months) with sick symptoms should be evaluated in person given the limited physical evaluation that can be done via telehealth. If your baby is sick for the first time, check out our guide on what to do.
“If you have other concerns about feeding, sleep patterns, or general care questions outside of the regular checkup, these can still be done via telehealth,” noted Dr. Gupta.
The following are examples of sick visits that require an in-office visit due to the need for thorough physical exam and possibly further testing, such as checking a urine sample or running a strep throat test. Before prescribing treatment like antibiotics, clinicians need to accurately diagnose your child to determine their exact diagnosis.
Trust your instincts. If you are concerned about your child’s health, seek medical advice promptly.
Once you have an appointment, Dr. Chand and Dr. Gupta recommend that you run through this checklist:
Just like an in-person appointment, you will be able to discuss your concerns with the clinician, and they will come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan for your child.
Navigating your child’s illnesses is easier when you have accessible, more convenient care provided by a trusted clinician. Zarminali Pediatrics offers parents same-day sick visits—and you can schedule your video visit with one of our clinicians today. We’re here to help you navigate your child’s illness with confidence!