Weekend & Holiday Care: A Pediatrician Who Is Always On Call

As a parent, you know the drill. It is Friday evening, the pediatrician’s office has just closed for the weekend, and suddenly, your child feels warm. Maybe they start tugging at their ear, or that little cough from the morning turns into a bark. It seems like a universal law of parenting: children rarely get sick between nine and five, Monday through Friday. Sickness loves the weekend.

I am Dr. Anita Sabeti, and I have seen this scenario play out countless times. The panic sets in. You start wondering if you need to rush to the Emergency Room or if you should brave the long wait times at a frantic urgent care center. You wonder if you can wait until Monday morning, but forty-eight hours feels like a lifetime when your little one is uncomfortable.

This is exactly why I structured my practice differently. I believe that healthcare should be available when you actually need it, not just when it is convenient for the doctor. Finding a weekend pediatrician who is genuinely available can change your entire experience of parenthood. It transforms panic into a plan. Today, I want to talk about the importance of after-hours care, why I stay on call, and how having access to your doctor on weekends and holidays provides the peace of mind every family deserves.

Why Sickness Doesn’t Watch the Clock

Viruses and bacteria do not have calendars. They do not respect holidays, and they certainly do not care about office hours. In fact, weekends often present unique challenges for children’s health. Kids are often more active on Saturdays and Sundays. They are playing sports, running around at birthday parties, or spending time outside. This increased activity often leads to bumps, bruises, and sudden illnesses.

When you rely on a traditional medical model, the weekend becomes a gap in care. During this gap, parents are often forced to make medical decisions on their own. You might find yourself searching the internet for symptoms, which usually leads to more anxiety than answers. Dr. Google is not a substitute for a trained medical professional who knows your child’s history.

In my practice, I act as that bridge over the weekend gap. Being a dedicated weekend pediatrician means I accept that healthcare is a 24/7 necessity. Whether it is a high fever on a Saturday night or a suspicious rash on Thanksgiving morning, I am there to guide you.

The Problem with the Emergency Room and Urgent Care

When your regular doctor is unavailable, the default option is usually the Emergency Room (ER) or a pediatric urgent care clinic. While these facilities are vital for life-threatening emergencies, they are not ideal for routine sickness.

First, let’s look at the environment. ERs are high-stress places. They are often crowded, loud, and filled with germs that your sick child does not need to be exposed to. If you go in for a simple ear infection, you might end up sitting next to someone with the flu for three hours. It is an exhausting experience for a worried parent and a miserable one for a sick child.

Second, the doctors there do not know your child. They do not know that your son has a history of asthma or that your daughter is allergic to a specific antibiotic. They are treating the symptom, not the patient. This lack of history can sometimes lead to unnecessary tests or treatments.

Data Point: The Reality of ER Visits

The overuse of emergency services for non-emergencies is a massive issue in healthcare. According to a study highlighted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is estimated that up to 75% of pediatric visits to the Emergency Department are for non-urgent conditions. This means that three out of four times, parents are enduring the stress and cost of the ER for issues that could have been handled by a primary care pediatrician if they were available.

By being accessible as a weekend pediatrician, I help my families avoid being part of that statistic. We keep the ER for true emergencies, and we handle everything else in a calm, familiar setting.

The “Always On Call” Philosophy

So, what does it actually mean when I say I am “always on call”? It means direct access. In many large practices, “on call” means you leave a message with an answering service. A nurse might call you back in an hour, or a doctor you have never met might give you generic advice.

For me, being on call is personal. It means that when you reach out, you are reaching me. I know your child. I remember that we just treated them for strep throat two weeks ago. I know if you are a first-time mom who needs a little extra reassurance or a veteran parent who knows when something is truly wrong.

This relationship allows us to use technology effectively. Many times, a text message or a video call is all we need to triage the situation. I can look at a rash through a photo or listen to a cough over a video chat. If I determine that your child needs to be seen, I can open the office specifically for you, or guide you on exactly what to do next.

The Benefits of Continuity of Care

Continuity of care is a medical term that simply means seeing the same doctor consistently over time. This is the gold standard of pediatric medicine. When I see your child for their well-visits, their vaccinations, and their sick days, I build a comprehensive picture of their health.

When you have to use a random urgent care doctor on the weekend, that continuity is broken. That doctor does not send notes to your regular file. Information gets lost. However, when I act as your weekend pediatrician, the care is seamless. The advice I give you on Saturday is connected to the check-up we had on Tuesday.

Data Point: Better Health Outcomes

Continuity isn’t just about comfort; it is about results. Research published in medical journals indicates that patients who have a continuous relationship with the same primary care provider have 30% lower costs and significantly fewer hospitalizations compared to those who switch doctors frequently. Knowing your doctor—and knowing your doctor is available—keeps your child healthier in the long run.

Common Weekend Scenarios We Handle

You might be wondering what kind of issues really require a weekend pediatrician. Here are some of the most common scenarios I help parents navigate on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

1. The Spiking Fever

Fevers are the number one reason parents panic. If your baby spikes a fever of 103°F on a Saturday night, it is terrifying. An urgent care might automatically order blood work or a catheter to check urine. Because I know your child, I might take a different approach. We might discuss other symptoms, manage the fever with medication, and monitor the situation closely with frequent check-ins. I can help you determine if the fever is a viral response that needs time or a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics.

2. The Mystery Rash

Rashes can appear out of nowhere. Is it an allergic reaction? Is it Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease? Is it something dangerous? A quick photo sent to me can usually resolve this. I can distinguish between a hive that needs Benadryl and a rash that requires an office visit. This saves you a trip to the ER where, ironically, your child might catch something worse.

3. Falls and Head Bumps

Weekends are for playing, and playing often leads to falling. Head injuries are tricky. Parents are rightfully terrified of concussions. Instead of rushing to the hospital for a CT scan that involves radiation, you can call me. I can walk you through the concussion protocol, tell you exactly what signs to look for, and help you decide if immediate imaging is actually necessary.

4. Respiratory Distress

For children with asthma or history of bronchiolitis, a cold can go south quickly. Having a weekend pediatrician means having someone who can listen to your child’s breathing. I can guide you on using your nebulizer or inhaler at home and help you decide if their breathing labor warrants an emergency visit. Early intervention often prevents a hospital admission.

Why I Choose to Work This Way

People often ask me why I choose to be so available. They ask, “Dr. Sabeti, don’t you want a break?” The truth is, the stress of knowing my patients are out there struggling in the ER is worse for me than taking a phone call on a Sunday.

I went into pediatrics because I care deeply about the wellbeing of children and the sanity of their parents. I view my practice as a partnership. You are trusting me with your most precious family members. In return, I owe you availability. I cannot ask you to trust me with your child’s health only on weekdays between 9 AM and 5 PM.

Modern medicine has become very transactional. It often feels like a business assembly line. I strive to bring back the old-fashioned feeling of the “town doctor,” but with modern medical technology. The town doctor didn’t turn off their phone on Friday afternoon. They were a pillar of support for the community. That is the role I fulfill for my families.

Navigating Holidays with a Pediatrician

Holidays can be particularly high-risk times for kids. Dietary routines change, sleep schedules are disrupted, and travel exposes them to new germs.

• Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays: We see a lot of stomach bugs and flu during these times due to family gatherings. Having me on call means you can get advice on hydration and symptom management without leaving your family dinner for the hospital.
• Summer Holidays: The Fourth of July often brings burns, insect bites, and dehydration. I am available to advise on wound care and hydration status so you can enjoy the barbecue.

Knowing you have a doctor in your pocket allows you to travel and celebrate with confidence. If you are out of town, we can coordinate care remotely, calling in prescriptions to a pharmacy near where you are staying if necessary.

The Value of Peace of Mind

Ultimately, what I offer as a weekend pediatrician is peace of mind. Parenting is difficult enough without the added anxiety of navigating the healthcare system alone. When you are part of my practice, you are never alone.

You do not have to weigh the pros and cons of an ER visit at 2 AM. You do not have to rely on conflicting advice from parenting forums. You just have to reach out to me.

This model of care is often called “concierge” or “direct primary care,” but I simply call it “good medicine.” It restores the doctor-patient relationship to the center of healthcare. It empowers you as a parent because you know you have expert backup whenever you need it.

Tips for Parents for the Weekend

While I am always here for you, there are a few things you can do to prepare for the weekend to make things easier:

• Stock Your Medicine Cabinet: Ensure you have unexpired Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) on hand. Know your child’s current dosage based on their weight.
• Keep Records: If your child has a chronic condition, keep a note of their current medications.
• Hydration Essentials: Keep Pedialyte or electrolyte popsicles in the pantry or freezer. Hydration is the most critical factor when kids get sick.
• Know How to Reach Me: Save my contact information in your “Favorites” list so you aren’t scrambling to find the number when panic sets in.

For more information on when to seek emergency care versus calling your pediatrician, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides excellent guidelines on their parent-focused website. You can read more about urgent care situations at HealthyChildren.org.

Let’s Prioritize Your Child’s Health Together

Your child’s health is a journey, not a series of isolated appointments. It requires a guide who is present for the bumps in the road, regardless of what day of the week it is.

I am Dr. Anita Sabeti, and I am proud to be a pediatrician who is always on call. I am proud to offer a safety net for parents and a medical home for children. If you are tired of the anxiety that comes with Friday afternoon fevers, or if you are looking for a doctor who values your time and your child’s health as much as you do, I invite you to join my practice.

Let’s make healthcare personal again. Let’s ensure that whether it is a Tuesday morning check-up or a Sunday evening scare, your child receives the compassionate, expert care they deserve. Contact my office today to learn more about how we can support your family, seven days a week.