The advantages of teleconsultation in pediatrics: Interview with Dr. Christine Winter

Telemedicine is gaining prominence worldwide, and video consultations are becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland. In pediatrics, this form of virtual care offers numerous benefits for children, parents, and healthcare professionals. Dr. Christine Winter, a pediatrician, has been advocating for digital medical solutions for years and has been conducting teleconsultations since 2022. In this interview, she explains how video consultations can be particularly helpful in pediatrics and why they deserve greater recognition.

The path to telemedicine and digital solutions

Dr. Winter has extensive experience working in hospitals and pediatric clinics, where she became familiar with digital tools such as chat-based and phone consultations. Since joining Swiss Medi Kids, a walk-in clinic with locations in Zurich, Winterthur, and Lucerne, she has frequently used video consultations to care for children and their parents. Thanks to her expertise, she knows that many pediatric cases can be effectively managed remotely.

Through close collaboration with her colleagues at Swiss Medi Kids clinics, Dr. Winter ensures that children who require in-person care can be treated promptly in a physical clinic. Follow-up appointments and vaccinations continue to take place on-site, but for many acute cases and medical inquiries, teleconsultation offers an ideal solution.

The benefits of teleconsultation for children and parents

“Children are often calmer when they are at home in a familiar environment,” explains Dr. Winter. “This allows parents to describe symptoms more clearly and with less stress. For families with multiple children or when parents are unwell themselves, video consultations provide significant relief.” Dr. Winter also explins that parents are often more receptive to advice and recommendations when they are in the comfort of their home rather than in a clinic. The obvious advantages, such as reduced risk of infection and no travel requirements, add further convenience.

💡 You  are interested in that topic? Discover the analysis about video consultation by general practitioner Dr. Jeannot.

When are video consultations particularly useful?

According to Dr. Winter, many pediatric cases can be effectively handled via video. Most consultations do not require a follow-up visit to the clinic; in fact, 80–90% of cases can be resolved directly online. Parents often seeking advice, reassurance, or recommendations for home care, which teleconsultation is well-suited to provide.

“Video consultations offer so many possibilities, but too few people are aware that this option exists,” Dr. Winter notes. Many parents don’t consider it as an alternative to the traditional doctor’s visit.

Skills required for healthcare professionals

At Swiss Medi Kids, all experienced physicians use video consultations. According to Dr. Winter, it’s essential for practitioners to have sufficient experience and a strong ability to diagnose illnesses and interact effectively with children and their parents. “The quality of the video consultation depends on the doctor’s experience,” she resumes. “Confidence in making sound decisions grows with practice”.

However, using the digital tool itself requires no particular technical expertise. With OneDoc, the process is simple and efficient: “I receive an email from OneDoc and just have to click the link to connect with the parents,” says Dr. Winter. Video consultations also enable nationwide service. If a child needs in-person care, Dr. Winter refers the patient to a Swiss Medi Kids clinic or a nearby pediatric emergency center.

A model for the future of pediatric medicine

Dr. Winter is convinced that telemedicine will play an even greater role in the future: “This is the future! More and more people want to solve their problems quickly from their phones.” Telemedicine is also growing rapidly in other countries, and in Switzerland, video consultations are increasingly seen as a practical and attractive alternative to traditional visits for both patients and healthcare professionals.

“Anyone who tries this method will remember that it’s an excellent option,” affirms Dr. Winter. She is confident that video consultations can provide valuable support to many physicians and encourages her colleagues to explore the possibilities of telemedicine for themselves.