You know your child needs to see a clinician, but where should you go? Can you visit your regular doctor, or do you need to head straight to the emergency room (ER)? And where does urgent care fit into the equation? Knowing the right choice can save time, money, and ensure your child gets the care they need.
Many common issues, such as earaches, coughs, or runny noses, can typically be managed at your doctor’s office. Seeing a familiar clinician when your child isn’t feeling well is always comforting. However, clinicians can’t work 24/7, and unfortunately, illness or injury can strike outside regular office hours. This is where urgent care or the ER may come into play.
The reality is that your child’s regular physician should be the first point of contact for non-emergency situations. Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and common illnesses are typically handled by their primary care provider. Whether you have concerns about your child’s development, growth, or mild symptoms, a doctor’s office visit is often the best option. Most primary care practices offer triage services, allowing you to call ahead to discuss symptoms with a nurse. They can guide you on whether an in-person evaluation is needed or if your child can wait for an appointment the next day. In some cases, telemedicine can also be an option, depending on the nature of your child’s symptoms.
Keep in mind that your access to care (whether at a doctor’s office or ER) may also depend on your location and the resources available. Not all doctor’s offices have labs or imaging equipment like X-rays on-site, so it’s important to ask about your after-hours options when you join a new practice. Be sure to inquire whether the practice has a nursing line for emergencies or a recommended pediatric ER. These resources will vary depending on where you live. This PedsDocTalk guide includes a checklist of questions to ask and things to consider when choosing a healthcare provider and office for your child.
Below are some key factors and examples to help you decide when to seek different levels of care. Remember, if you’re ever worried about your child’s health, don’t hesitate to call 911 or head to the ER immediately.
Doctor’s Office
For many of your child’s health concerns, the doctor’s office should be your first point of contact. Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and common illnesses such as earaches, coughs, runny noses, and mild fevers are best managed by your child’s regular clinician. The benefit of seeing a familiar clinician is that they know your child’s medical history and can provide a more personalized approach to their care.
When to visit the doctor’s office:
- Routine check-ups and vaccinations
- Minor illnesses such as colds, ear infections, or mild fevers
- Developmental or growth concerns
- Non-urgent health issues or minor injuries
Many primary care offices also offer telemedicine, which can be especially helpful for minor ailments that don’t require an in-person evaluation. Additionally, most doctor’s offices have triage services where you can speak to a nurse to help you decide if an appointment is needed.
What if the office is closed? Illness doesn’t always happen during business hours. In those cases, a call to your doctor’s office after-hours line can provide guidance. Some offices may direct you to a local urgent care or even the emergency room, depending on the severity of your child’s condition.
Urgent Care
Urgent care centers are designed to handle situations that are not life-threatening but still require prompt assessment and care. This could be an injury or illness that can’t wait until the next available doctor’s appointment but doesn’t necessarily warrant a trip to the ER.
An urgent care may be useful for the following:
- If you want a flu swab, strep swab, or other respiratory swabs
- Cuts that need stitches or medical glue
- An earache and your doctor’s office is closed
- Concerns for bacterial pink eye and you need eye drops
- Non-life-threatening allergic reactions
- Your doctor’s office has suggested a local urgent care as the go-to for after-hour concerns
While urgent care centers are convenient, it’s important to note that not all are pediatric-focused. If possible, choose a pediatric urgent care, as these are more experienced in treating children and understanding their unique medical needs.
Emergency Room
ERs are equipped to handle life-threatening emergencies and severe health conditions. If your child is experiencing symptoms that are critical or could rapidly worsen, the ER is the best place to go. ERs have specialized equipment and staff ready to deal with serious injuries, illnesses, and conditions that require immediate attention, such as difficulty breathing, severe trauma, or major fractures. Below are a few examples of when to go to the ER– this does not include every scenario. If you are concerned about the health of your child, know that the ER is always available. For more instances of when to head to the ER, watch this PedsDocTalk YouTube video.
When to go to the ER:
- Severe injuries or fractures
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
- Loss of consciousness or seizures
- Behavioral changes like slurred speech, persistent irritability, lethargy, or confusion
- Large, deep wounds or severe burns
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Fever in a child under 2 months old
- Cough with stridor or signs of respiratory distress
- Unrelenting abdominal pain, especially with tenderness
While ERs are open 24/7 and can handle critical cases, they can also be costly and have long wait times, particularly during peak times such as flu season. The primary goal of the ER is to manage acute emergencies, so it’s typically not the place to go for chronic or non-urgent issues.
Understanding the role of each and making the right call
It’s natural to feel uncertain when your child is unwell. Here’s a quick guide to help think through the process and make the right decision:
- If it can wait for the next day: Call your doctor’s office.
- If it’s after hours, but not an emergency: Consider urgent care, especially for injuries like minor sprains or illnesses that can’t wait until the morning. If your child’s doctor’s office has a triage line, you can call and talk with them for next steps.
- If it’s life-threatening or serious: Head straight to the ER or call 911 for immediate assistance.
What about the top 10 reasons children visit the doctor’s office and when to head to the ER?
This PedsDocTalk YouTube video covers specific reasons your child needs to go to the ER when they have a fever, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rash, earache, sore throat, face or head injury, laceration/wound, and headache.
Watch the PedsDocTalk YouTube Video HERE!
