We know that it’s not always convenient to schedule an in-person appointment with your child’s doctor. And if your child isn’t feeling well, you may want to keep them at home. At Touchpoint Pediatrics, we want to make it easy for you to access high-quality pediatric care from the comfort of your home. Based in Chatham, NJ, and serving families throughout Morristown, Summit, Berkeley Heights, Hoboken, and beyond, our providers offer pediatric telemedicine appointments. These appointments are conducted virtually via video call on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Is a Telemedicine Appointment Right for My Child?
A telemedicine appointment can provide a convenient way for you to address concerns about your child’s health, without making a trip to their doctor’s office. While we can visually examine your child during a telemedicine visit, there are some conditions that we will need to physically examine in person. For example, we cannot diagnose ear infections or strep throat via a telemedicine visit. However, we can assess a wide range of concerns, such as cold and stomach viruses, croup, pink eye, medicine checks (if appropriate), developmental and behavioral concerns, and minor injuries. Telemedicine visits are also a good fit for follow-up appointments that do not require an in-person exam.
Our compassionate and caring staff will work with you to give your child the best care possible. All of the doctors at Touchpoint Pediatrics are board-certified, and we work with children of all ages, from newborns to adolescents.
Preparing For Your Child’s Telemedicine Visit
Before a telemedicine appointment, you should try to have some of your child’s basic vital signs ready to share with the doctor during your visit. Some vital signs your child’s doctor may request include:
- Weight: If your child is not old enough to step onto a scale by themselves, weigh yourself first. Next, weigh yourself while holding your child. Subtract the first number from the second number to determine your child’s weight.
- Heart rate: To measure your child’s heart rate (the number of heartbeats per minute), place two fingers on their wrist, below their thumb. Then apply gentle pressure until you can feel a slight beat. Count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds, and multiply that number by four to calculate the total number of beats per minute.
- Respiratory rate: To measure their respiratory rate (the number of breaths per minute), count the number of breaths your child takes in 15 seconds, and then multiply that number by four.
- Temperature: While taking this measurement, please note the type of thermometer used for your child’s doctor.
Write down these vital signs ahead of time and have them ready to share with the pediatrician. Additionally, it’s helpful to have a pen and paper ready to take notes during the appointment. You may also want to make sure you’re in a quiet area of your home, with a strong internet connection, to ensure that the call goes as smoothly as possible.
Schedule Your Child’s Telemedicine Visit
Our team of top-rated pediatricians at Touchpoint Pediatrics are available for telemedicine visits with patients in Chatham, NJ as well as Hoboken, Morristown, Summit, Berkeley Heights, and the surrounding area. Please be sure to review the Terms and Conditions regarding telemedicine services. If you would like to schedule a telemedicine appointment with your child’s doctor, please contact our office today.
3_25_20_Touchpoint Online Virtual Visit Terms and Conditions R1