Pediatric urgent care: A unique practice model: Perspectives of an urgent care practitioner

ediatric Urgent Care is a unique practice model that provides specialized care for children requiring unscheduled acute care visits. Two national trends were the initial impetus for the creation of this model. Pediatric emergency medicine as a specialty grew and was recognized as the optimal destination for pediatric patients with serious illness or injuries. Families became more and more dependent on two incomes and two parents working outside the home. Traditional pediatric practice with little room for same day and urgent patients increasingly referred ?after hours? illness and injury This introductory essay traces the history of Pediatric Urgent Care as a practice model. The essay describes the social and economic trends that led to the origin and enormous growth of this unique practice model. Scope of Practice, staffing models and standards of care are described. Professional Societies and the future prospects of this model are included.