When Is a Telehealth Visit the Right Call?

Telehealth has been revolutionizing the health care system since the late 1950s and has continued to grow in popularity — especially with so many technology advancements. 

At Neighborhood Pediatrics, we understand the importance of getting your child the care they need quickly. That’s why our board-certified team offers telehealth. As a parent, it’s always comforting to bring your child in for an in-person evaluation. But, sometimes, that might not be the best option. Here’s why.

When telehealth is the better choice

Having the option to have your child diagnosed and treated remotely is the answer for many parents who have sick or injured children. We recommend that you consider telehealth in the following situations:

Out-of-town

If you’re on a family vacation and your child develops an illness, talking to your child’s pediatrician offers the most comfort. You can call our office for a same-day telehealth visit to find out the best remedy of care for your child. If it involves prescribing medication, we can do that during our visit.

Highly contagious child

If you suspect that your child has a highly contagious illness, and you don’t want to expose your child to others, call our office for a telehealth appointment. This action can stop the spread of the sickness while offering your child the medical attention they need.

Mild injury

Children can experience mild injuries while being active in situations like playing with friends, riding bikes, or participating in a game of sports. 

When you schedule a telehealth visit, we can assess the severity of the injury at that moment. In some cases, the hurt area might only require ice or heat or a thorough rinse and a bandage. However, the injury may require X-rays or sutures. If so, we can give you further instructions on how to get them the necessary medical attention.

When to bypass telehealth

If your child suffers a life-threatening injury or becomes unresponsive with an illness, get to the emergency room at your nearest hospital or call 911 as quickly as possible. Telehealth is not for medical emergencies.

How telehealth works

All you need for a telehealth visit is a working phone, tablet, or computer with a secure connection that offers clear video and audio. 

The process for setting up the call is simple. We simply send you a link that you click on. You and your child can then visibly see and hear your provider through your device to start the evaluation.

We offer same-day telehealth visits, so your child can be seen quickly and conveniently. If we determine that your child needs an in-person office visit, we can advise that at that time. Telehealth visits typically allow us to assess your child’s condition, prescribe medication, and give guidance on the best ways to care for your child.

To learn more about telehealth, give our team in Shenandoah, Texas, a call, or use the online booking tool today.