Nurse Letting Child Listen with Stethoscope

Pediatric Primary Care

Your child’s health and development are top priorities – for you, and for us. Our network of OSF Medical Group pediatricians specialize in pediatric primary care and are connected to more specialized care at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois when needed. We work together to support your child’s health and happiness through every stage.

What is pediatric primary care?

Children’s primary care is a specialty dedicated to care for kids. It includes ongoing regular check-ups, vaccinations and treatment for common illnesses by a pediatrician. It is often provided in a friendly and supportive environment and focuses on the unique needs of children. Pediatricians can also offer guidance on growth, nutrition and more.

How to Choose a Pediatrician

Choosing a pediatrician for your child is an important part of becoming a parent. There’s a lot to consider, including their training, experience, office location and hours.

Here’s a list of important things to consider when choosing a health care provider for your child:

Location

Questions about the office location include the following:

Is the office near your home or place of work?
How long does it take to get there during rush hour?
Is parking convenient?
Does the practice have more than one office?
Are the same providers at the same offices all the time?

The healthcare provider

Questions about the provider include:

Ask about the provider's training and experience. Do they have a specialty or area of interest?
Are they board certified? If so, have they recertified recently?
Ask about the provider's opinion on immunization and use of medicines. This includes antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines. Will they prescribe medicines over the phone?
Will your child see the same provider for all visits?
What happens if your child gets sick during the night or on weekends? Whom do you call?

The office

Questions about the office itself include the following:

What are the office hours?
Are there weekend or evening hours?
How do you make an appointment?
How long does it take to get a well-child appointment?
How long does it take to get a sick-child appointment?
What about payments and billing? Is this provider listed on your insurance plan? What hospital is the provider affiliated with? Is this compatible with your insurance plan?
Does the office have walk-in hours?
How long do you have to wait in the office before you're seen?
Is there a separate waiting area for sick children?
Do the office staff seem friendly and interested in children?

Pediatrician vs. Family Medicine Doctor

Pediatricians are primary care doctors who specialize in treating kids. Because they only see kids, they’re particularly good at diagnosing and treating illnesses specific to young people.

Family medicine providers see people of all ages, from babies to adults. They are a good option if you want to bring your whole family to the same doctor or want your child to see the same provider as they grow into adults.

Connection to OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital

Our OSF Medical Group pediatric primary care team is dedicated to caring for your child’s everyday health needs. If a more serious concern arises, your child’s care team includes the specialists at OSF Children’s Hospital. As the third largest pediatric hospital in Illinois, your child’s pediatrician has direct access to more than 140 pediatric subspecialists, ready to support more complex health needs whenever needed.

What to Expect at Your Well-Child Visit

At a well-child visit, your child’s pediatrician will take their height and weight and talk with you about their growth and development. They’ll also provide a thorough physical exam and give your child and needed vaccinations. These visits are also a good opportunity to discuss health and safety issues, nutrition and physical fitness, as well as how to manage emergencies and illnesses.

Your child’s provider is here to support their mind, body and spirit, and can also support you by providing guidance on:

Behavioral problems
Learning problems
Emotional problems
Family problems
Socialization problems
Puberty and concerns about the teen years

Different vaccines are recommended at different ages and are given at your child’s well-child visit. The pediatric vaccine schedule helps you and your child’s doctor stay on track and protected.

See Schedule

Physicals help make sure your child is healthy enough to attend school and participate in activities. A school or sports physical is an easy way to meet this requirement.

More About Physicals

Pediatric Urgent Care & Emergency Room

When your child is injured or doesn’t feel well, deciding what to do next can be difficult. Urgent care is a good option for your child if their symptoms are not life-threatening but need to be taken care of right away. Our urgent care clinics offer extended hours for walk-in visits and even a 24/7 virtual visit option. If your child is experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms, the emergency department is the best place for them to be treated. Our emergency room is staffed by a team of providers who specialize in treating sick or injured kids.

Visit an urgent care location near you

Explore pediatric emergency care options

When and how often should my child see a pediatrician?

Your child's healthcare provider will give you a schedule of ages when a well-care visit is suggested. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises well-care visits at the following ages:

Before a newborn is discharged from the hospital, or at 48 to 72 hours of age
3 to 5 days
2 to 4 weeks
2 months
4 months
6 months
9 months
12 months
15 months
18 months
24 months
30 months
Each year, from 3 to 21 years

Are pediatricians available after hours?

Your provider’s office is supported by a Contact Center with nurses who are available 24/7. They can guide you to the best place to seek care after hours, offer medical advice for home care and send messages to your provider, if needed. Many of our urgent care locations offer expanded hours and our pediatric emergency room is available 24/7.