What Does a Pediatric Home Visit Actually Look Like?
Imagine that Friday afternoon again.
Instead of waking the baby and loading everyone into the car, you schedule an in-home visit.
Emily arrives at your home and evaluates your child where they’re already comfortable. She can listen to their lungs, examine their throat, check their ears, take vital signs, and perform an appropriate physical assessment. And if that sore throat looks suspicious for strep? Moms & Minis can perform point-of-care testing right in your home when clinically appropriate.
Depending on your child’s symptoms, available point-of-care testing may include:
• Strep testing
• Flu testing
• RSV testing
• COVID-19 testing
• Urine testing
• Blood glucose testing
So instead of making one trip to the doctor’s office and potentially another trip somewhere else for testing, certain common tests may be performed during the same home visit. Your other children can keep playing. The baby can keep sleeping. And you can focus on the child who isn’t feeling well.
It’s Not Just About Convenience
Not having to leave the house is certainly convenient, but that’s only part of the reason some families prefer pediatric home visits. Think about the child who becomes anxious the minute they walk into a medical office. Or the newborn parent who is exhausted and trying to work around feeding schedules. Or the parent with three children who has to bring everyone along because there isn’t anyone available to watch the siblings. Or the child who feels miserable and would much rather curl up on their own couch than sit in a waiting room. Being able to receive pediatric care at home can make an already difficult day feel a little more manageable.
What Can Be Seen During a Pediatric Home Visit?
A home visit may be appropriate for many common pediatric concerns, including:
• Fever
• Cough and congestion
• Sore throat
• Ear pain
• Rashes
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Minor illnesses
• Feeding concerns
• Newborn concerns
• Growth and development questions
• Follow-up care
Sometimes the answer is reassurance and supportive care. Sometimes medication may be appropriate. Sometimes point-of-care testing can help determine the next step. And sometimes Emily may determine that your child needs imaging, additional laboratory testing, specialist care, or evaluation somewhere that can provide a higher level of care. The goal isn’t to treat everything at home. It’s to help your child receive the right care in the right setting.
Sometimes You Don’t Need a Home Visit at All
Now imagine a different morning. Your child wakes up with one eye that’s pink and crusty. Or maybe you’ve noticed a rash and want someone to look at it. Perhaps you’re concerned about your toddler’s speech development, your child’s behavior, feeding, sleep, or a medication question. Those situations don’t always require someone to come to your house. That’s where pediatric telehealth can be especially helpful.
What Types of Pediatric Visits Can Often Be Done Through Telehealth?
Depending on your child’s age, symptoms, medical history, and individual circumstances, telehealth may be appropriate for concerns such as:
• Pink eye and certain eye concerns
• Rashes and certain skin concerns
• Behavioral concerns
• Developmental questions or concerns
• Feeding concerns
• Sleep concerns
• Potty-training concerns
• Parent coaching
• Medication questions and certain follow-ups
• Reviewing lab results
• Follow-up after a previous visit
• Certain minor illnesses that don’t initially require a physical examination or testing
During a virtual visit, Emily can talk with you, visually assess your child when appropriate, review symptoms and history, provide guidance, and determine what should happen next. And if something that starts as a telehealth visit really needs a hands-on examination, that’s okay. Emily can recommend an in-person visit or the appropriate next level of care.
Home Visit or Telehealth? You Don’t Have to Decide Alone
Parents aren’t expected to know whether a rash needs telehealth, whether an earache needs an in-person examination, or whether a sore throat should be tested for strep. That’s our job. For example, a rash that can be clearly seen over video may be appropriate for telehealth. A child complaining of significant ear pain may need someone to physically examine the ears. And a child with fever and a sore throat may benefit from an in-home visit where strep testing can be performed when appropriate. If you’re unsure which appointment to schedule, Moms & Minis can help determine which type of visit makes the most sense.
What If My Child Needs More Than We Can Do at Home?
Pediatric home care has limits, and that’s important. While Moms & Minis can perform several point-of-care tests during appropriate home visits—including strep, flu, RSV, COVID-19, urine, and blood glucose testing—some situations require laboratory testing, imaging, specialist evaluation, urgent care, or emergency care.
If your child’s evaluation suggests that additional care is necessary, Emily can help guide you toward the appropriate next step. For severe or life-threatening symptoms, families should call 911 or seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for a home or telehealth visit.
Do I Have to Join a Membership?
No. This is something we want Brevard County parents to know. You don’t have to become a Moms & Minis member just because your child wakes up sick one morning. Families can schedule individual pediatric visits without committing to a monthly membership. For families who want more ongoing access, Moms & Minis also offers concierge pediatric memberships with features such as secure texting, telehealth visits, member pricing, care coordination, and additional benefits depending
on the plan.
Pediatric Home Visits Throughout Brevard County
Moms & Minis provides in-home pediatric care for families throughout Brevard County, Florida, including Merritt Island, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Viera, Melbourne, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Palm Bay, Titusville, and surrounding communities. Availability depends on location, scheduling, and the type of visit needed. Telehealth appointments are also available throughout Florida when clinically appropriate.
Because Sick Days Don’t Follow a Schedule
Kids don’t conveniently get sick at 9:00 Monday morning when your calendar is completely empty. It’s often Friday afternoon. Or right before nap time. Or when you have three other things you need to do and another child who is perfectly healthy. Pediatric care shouldn’t make a difficult day harder than it already is.
Moms & Minis was created to give families another option: personalized pediatric care that works around real family life. It’s Friday Afternoon and Your Child Isn’t Feeling Well? You may not have to pack up the whole family and head to a waiting room. Schedule a Same-Day Pediatric Visit
Want to learn more about this approach to pediatric care? Read about concierge pediatrics in Brevard County and how Moms & Minis gives families more personalized access to their pediatric provider.
No membership required.
