Dr. Tamara Gafoor, a pediatric emergency doctor at Montreal Children’s Hospital, hears the same phrase from parents countless times a day: “I’m sorry.”
It’s a reflex and an apology for seeking help. But to Gafoor, it’s a misplaced one.
“In pediatrics, parental instincts are everything,” Gafoor tells TODAY.com. “You know your child best. If something feels off, it’s always worth getting them checked out, whether it’s with your doctor, urgent care, or in the emergency room.”
After one shift filled with what she describes as “unnecessary guilt” from parents, Gafoor recorded a TikTok video aimed at reassuring parents that it’s not only OK to come in, but also the right thing to do if they’re concerned.
“Our role isn’t just to treat emergencies,” she says in an interview with TODAY. “It’s to guide, support, and offer reassurance when that’s what’s needed. I’d much rather send a family home with peace of mind than have a child come in too late.”
Kids, she explains, can appear stable even as a serious illness develops behind the scenes.
“They’re incredibly resilient, but they can compensate until they suddenly can’t,” notes Gafoor, a board-certified physician. “You might come in for a prolonged fever that turns out to be early sepsis and requires IV antibiotics, or abdominal pain that’s actually appendicitis. Those early visits can make all the difference.”
Showing up isn’t a nuisance, according to Gafoor, it’s a form of advocacy. "Some of the kiddos that we take care of don’t have a voice of their own and aren’t able to speak for themselves,” she says. "You have to be their voice."
Garfoor acknowledges that some parents hesitate to come to the ER for fear of being dismissed or judged, especially if the issue turns out to be minor, as it often does. But she emphasizes that seeking care is never a burden, echoing the familiar refrain, “You’d always rather be safe than sorry.”
Even something as routine as a suspected ear infection can become pressing.
“It might not be life-threatening, but it still needs treatment,” Gafoor says. “And if you can’t get in for another week, of course you’re going to come.”
“If something feels off, that needs to be listened to,” she adds.
