Urgent Care, ER or Pediatrician?

Whether it's an injury, illness or other medical emergency, when your child feels bad, you want her to feel better as soon as possible. But with the array of healthcare professionals available at all hours, you may be confused as to where your child needs to go. Your schedule and your child's school schedule may influence your decision as well. So here are a few ways to decide who should care for your child. Obviously, her pediatrician will have the most information about her medical history and ideally can make the best decisions about her health. Don't be shy about calling your pediatrician's office at odd hours. There should be a doctor on call to answer your questions and make the call as to whether or not your child needs immediate medical attention or if you can wait to make an appointment. If your child comes home from school sick or falls ill in the early-evening hours, then an urgent care center might be the place to go.