When to Call the On-Call Pediatrician
As a parent, your pediatrician can be your lifeline whenever you have a question about the health of your child. But what should you do when you have a pressing question or concern after-hours and the clinic is closed?
Oftentimes, the after-hours questions parents have are very appropriate. Sometimes, parents may be looking for reassurance that they're doing the right supportive care for their little one or wanting reassurance that taking their child to urgent care or the emergency room is the right decision and that they're not overreacting. Other times, they just want to know how much fever reducer to give.
"One thing I don't think most parents realize is that the job of the on-call pediatrician is to help determine if their child needs to be seen urgently or not," says Cindy Gellner, MD, a pediatrician at 麻豆学生精品版.
While on-call pediatricians at U of U Health help address parents' concerns and direct timely care, there are some limitations, such as:
- Diagnosing a condition over the phone: If a parent is suspicious of a condition such as an ear infection, strep throat, or a urinary tract infection, the on-call pediatrician can't diagnose these conditions over the phone. Your child would need to be seen in person.
- Calling in medications: If your child needs an urgent medication, they should be seen in person.
- Ordering a medication refill: This question would be better addressed by a child's pediatrician during office hours. Questions that aren't urgent should wait until the clinic is open.
Keep In Mind
When you call the on-call pediatrician, they are at home with their families. They aren't in the office. This means answering phone calls from soccer games, while landscaping, while doing hospital rounds in the newborn nursery, when out to eat, or in the middle of the night while sleeping.
"Kids don't come with instruction manuals, and often things happen when the office is closed," Gellner says. "If you have an urgent concern, you are always welcome to call, and we will give you the best advice we can. If your concern isn't urgent, it will be better handled by your pediatrician during office hours."
Your pediatrician knows your child and your family the best. They can address non-urgent concerns better than the on-call pediatrician who has never met your child before.
When Does Your Child Really Need Lab Work?
Parents often ask about blood tests during routine pediatric visits, but pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, clarifies that healthy children rarely need them. She shares some of the criteria for screenings in young patients and how insurance factors into decision-making.
What to Do When Your Baby Sounds Congested
Newborns cannot blow their noses, and they are not great at breathing through their mouths either鈥攕o even a little mucus can sound dramatic. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares what is normal when it comes to newborn sneezing and snorting, how to use saline and suction safely, and when to check in with your pediatrician.
Understanding Childhood Mood Disorders Beyond Bipolar
Is your child often irritable or prone to temper outbursts? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, clarifies the distinctions between bipolar disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis in childhood mood disorders.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy and Happy
Latest trends and issues in children's health on the Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner
