When life is throwing a lot at you, getting to the doctor’s office for an appointment can feel like a monumental task. Whether you’re coping with a sick, cranky toddler, caring for multiple kids at once, or balancing a busy after-school schedule, trying to fit in one more thing can feel downright daunting.
With virtual options available for many common childhood conditions, you can connect to care from the comfort of home and use the time you’ll save to focus on what’s most important: your family.
“Virtual care can be a lifesaver for busy families,” says Emily Olson, MD, a pediatrician with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Neenah. “The care you receive virtually can complement what we can provide when you come and see our teams in person.”
Choosing virtual care not only saves time but also allows you to avoid the spread of illness that can take place in clinics. With cold and flu season underway, we’re highlighting some of the ways virtual care can fit into your family’s healthcare needs.
What You’ll Need
Before we look at specific conditions, let’s talk through your virtual care options and look at what you’ll need. Virtual care is an option for patients ages 6 months and older. Services are secure and accessible from a smartphone, tablet, computer or any web-enabled device with a camera. It’s best to choose a quiet, private place to set up for your virtual visit.
Virtual care types include:
- Scheduled video visit: See your child’s doctor or a member of their care team for common medical conditions or symptoms and other health concerns.
- On-demand video visits: Connect with the first available ThedaCare provider, no appointment needed. Services are available from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily.
- eVisits: This option provides existing ThedaCare patients easy access to a customized treatment plan or recommendation from an experienced ThedaCare provider. Parents or guardians complete a simple questionnaire and will receive a response within two hours of completion. Standard operating hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Requests submitted outside of these hours will receive a response the following day.
Conditions Treated Through Virtual Care
Respiratory and Allergy Symptoms
Virtual care can work well for respiratory symptoms and conditions, including:
- Colds/viruses
- Flu (influenza)
- COVID-19
- Sinus infections
- Seasonal or environmental allergies
Through a virtual visit, a doctor or provider can assess symptoms and offer treatment options. These may include home-care recommendations or prescription medications, depending on the diagnosis.
While virtual care can be an effective option for respiratory conditions, it’s not always the right choice. Opt for in-person care for severe symptoms such as high fever, extreme fatigue and difficulty breathing. If you suspect strep throat, in-person care is also the right choice, as your child will need to have their throat swabbed.
Stomach Bugs and Diarrhea
No one wants to travel when they’re going through the misery of stomach symptoms. Virtual care can offer a way for a provider to assess your child’s symptoms from home, offer recommendations for comfort measures and reintroducing fluid and foods, and guide you to additional care if needed.
If you’re concerned your child may be suffering from dehydration, in-person or emergency care is the right choice.
Dehydration symptoms in kids include:
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Few or no tears when crying
- Eyes that look sunken
- In babies, the soft spot on top of the head looks sunken
- Darker pee, peeing less or fewer wet diapers than usual
- Crankiness
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
Acne, Lice and Skin Concerns
Virtual care can be a great option for discussing, assessing and treating skin concerns such as:
- Acne
- Bug and tick bites
- Diaper rash (if visual exam not needed)
- Head lice
- Skin rashes or irritations
For evaluation of rashes affecting the genitalia or buttocks, in-person care may be a better option. Never send sensitive pictures using your MyThedaCare account.
Pink Eye or Minor Eye Irritations
Pink eye is highly contagious, making virtual care an especially good option. Through a virtual visit, a provider can assess redness, swelling and discharge and send a prescription to a pharmacy that’s convenient for you.
Medication Checks and Follow-up Visits
Depending on the need, virtual care can work well for medication checks and follow-up visits that don’t require a physical examination. The prescribing doctor or provider can often convert medication check follow-ups to virtual, so be sure to ask if that would be a more convenient option for you.
Convenient Care Options
ThedaCare is pleased to offer a variety of care options to meet all your family’s needs. If your child needs same-day care, it’s often available virtually and in person at our pediatric and primary care locations. Urgent and walk-in care also are available seven days a week, no appointment necessary.
“Coming in for regular well-child visits helps us track your child’s health and well-being,” Dr. Olson says. “Beyond that, we understand how busy life can get for families and encourage people to choose the care option that works best for them.”
