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Virginia Pediatric and Adolescent Center (Springfield) sick hours
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clabert
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| We are new to the area . . . debating between having my children see Dr. O'Mara at Virginia Pediatric and Adolescent Center or one of the doctors at Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates. I'm not sure if I like the idea of "open call" sick hours at VPAC, as we've always made appointments with our other pediatrician. Any thoughts/experience with this? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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This actually one of the things I LOVE about VPAC.
My DD had a really high fever for 4 straight days so I took her in on day 5 during the walk-in. It was great not to have to call and wait for an appt. I could just pop in in teh AM. You can make an appt. if you wanted to, but it's nice to have that last minute option if you want to come in for a bad diaper rash, skin rash, high fever, or something that comes up in the middle of the night. |
clabert
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| Thanks for the quick reply! I didn't realize you had the option of making an appointment or not . . . just thought it was a free-for-all type thing in the morning. Though, you did make a point regarding the convenience of it. I don't know why I am so torn on which pediatrician to go to! Which doctor do you see there? Conservative with giving meds? Any additional thoughts? |
Anonymous
You're right - it is a little bit of a free for all, but I've never had to wait for more than 10 min. since the doc. are pretty quick with you. So, if you feel like you want more time with a doc than I would schedule an appt. One time, the advice nurse suspected thrush so she advised I come in first thing to the walk-in since my baby was eating very little. The second time, the baby was up all night crying and fussing which I suspected was an ear infection so I took her in first thing in the morning. I sorta used common sense in regards to meds. The doc. won't give you anything for viruses (obviously) even though DD had 5 days of 100+degree fever, but will give you advice on home remedies to alleviate the symptoms, things to watch out for, what to expect, etc. My toddler was prescribed a cream for, what I thought was poison ivy, but it started looking better after coming back home (of course, Murphy's Law) so I didn't bother filling the prescription. Our favorite peds are Rossbach (down to earth, friendly), Crim (can make a first time mom feel overly concerned, but very nice), Epstein (casual and laid back), and Jaravandi (informative and nice, but my toddler always got really shy around him for some reason). Is your post referring to a standard wellness check or a specifc medical issue? |
clabert
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Thanks for your detailed reply . . . especially regarding the different personalities of the doctors. And I guess the open sick hours aren't sounding so strange now . . . 
We are new to the area, so we are looking for a new pediatrician. One of my three kids needs a 2-year well check relatively soon . . . my 3-year-old has a history of asthma . . . and my 4.5-year-old seems to be developing migraines, unfortunately. Thanks so much!! |