How Arlo Works With Your Family Doctor — Not Against Them.

Using Arlo with a Family Doctor: How They Work Together for Ontario Families

Yes, it's absolutely safe to use Arlo even when you already have a family doctor! Think of Arlo as an extension of your healthcare team, not a replacement. Many Ontario parents use both services to get the right care at the right time.

How it works

Your family doctor remains your child's primary healthcare provider for regular checkups, vaccinations, and ongoing health management. Arlo fills in the gaps when your doctor isn't available or when you need quick answers about urgent concerns.

When you text Arlo, our healthcare providers can see your child's basic information and any previous Arlo conversations, but we don't automatically have access to your family doctor's records. That's actually a good thing for privacy! If needed, Arlo providers can recommend that you follow up with your family doctor for continuity of care.

After an Arlo consultation, you'll receive a summary that you can share with your family doctor during your next visit. This helps keep everyone on the same page about your child's health.

What you'll need

- Your child's current medications and dosages

- Recent symptoms or concerns you want to discuss

- Any relevant medical history (allergies, chronic conditions)

- Your family doctor's contact information (helpful but not required)

When to use each service

Your family doctor is perfect for routine care like annual checkups, growth monitoring, developmental assessments, and managing ongoing health conditions. They know your child's complete medical history and can provide comprehensive, long-term care.

Arlo shines when you need quick answers outside office hours. Got a fever at 10 PM? Worried about a rash on Sunday? Not sure if that bump needs immediate attention? Arlo providers can assess symptoms, provide treatment guidance, and help you decide if you need to visit the emergency room or can wait for your family doctor.

Common questions

Will using Arlo confuse my child's medical records? Not at all. Arlo consultations are separate from your family doctor's records, and you can share Arlo summaries with your doctor to keep them informed.

Should I tell my family doctor I'm using Arlo? Many parents do, and most family doctors appreciate knowing about all the healthcare services their patients use. It shows you're being proactive about your child's health.

Can Arlo prescribe medications if my family doctor usually handles that? Yes, Arlo providers can prescribe appropriate medications when clinically indicated, just like any other healthcare provider in Ontario.

The takeaway

Using Arlo alongside your family doctor gives you the best of both worlds: comprehensive ongoing care plus immediate access when concerns arise. You're building a stronger healthcare support system for your family.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References

- [College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario - Virtual Care Guidelines](https://www.cpso.on.ca/physicians/policies-guidance/policies/virtual-care)

- [Ontario Ministry of Health - Digital Health](https://www.ontario.ca/page/digital-health)