For families juggling busy schedules, finding time for medical appointments can be a challenge, but with the latest virtual care advancements from Atrium Health Floyd, parents can now consult with dedicated pediatricians for more than just sick visits.

The launch of Atrium Health Children's Care Pediatrics Virtual gives families the ability to receive well-child care and follow-up care from the comfort of their own home.  

Offering extended hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, Atrium Health Floyd's new pediatric virtual primary care practice provides the flexibility to receive the same high-quality, comprehensive care provided at a traditional in-person primary care office, just in a place that is most convenient and comfortable for families. 

"We are thrilled to introduce pediatric virtual primary care to leverage technology in a way that makes primary care more accessible for families while still providing the same trusted support they need to keep their children healthy and happy," said Dr. Ken Jones, chief physician officer at Atrium Health Floyd. "The virtual well-child care option is a game-changer for delivering preventive care in a more flexible, but thorough manner." 

Atrium Health Children's Care Pediatrics Virtual provides a range of offerings addressing preventive care, including well-child visits; common health concerns, such as respiratory infections and skin conditions; chronic condition management, like asthma; behavioral health conditions, such as anxiety; and medication management.  

“Our goal with pediatric virtual primary care was to create a solution that was easier and less stressful for time-crunched families," said Jones. “Virtual primary care is an excellent option for families who prefer reduced in-office time, need more flexible scheduling and want distraction-free time with their provider." 

During virtual well-child visits, the pediatrician reviews the child's medical history and gives a quick assessment of the child through the video platform by asking the child to move around, speak or perform simple tasks to observe their development. After this part of the visit, the child may leave the call while the caregiver has dedicated time to ask questions and discuss the child's development, behavior, nutrition, sleep, mental health and more.

At the end of the discussion, an Atrium Health Floyd teammate schedules a brief in-person follow-up visit at a nearby in-person pediatric practice for another provider to conduct a brief physical exam and provide vaccinations or order lab work as needed.  

“We've thoughtfully designed our virtual practice model to include strong partnerships with in-person practices and locations so that we can provide comprehensive well-child care and manage conditions that require hands-on evaluation," said Jones. “The model also works in reverse where an in-person pediatrician can refer a child for follow-up treatment with a virtual provider who can spend more time explaining a condition, medications and daily management, all at the convenience of the family's schedule."   

Virtual visits are user-friendly and compatible with desktop computers, laptops, smartphones or tablets so that families can participate in a setting that is most comfortable for them. 

Learn more about Atrium Health Children's Care Pediatrics Virtual and what non-urgent, urgent and emergency care options are available for families 24/7.