When you’re feeling sick or have a minor injury, it can be tough to decide where to go for care. But in those times, it’s important to know the best place to go for help. You have a few choices: your doctor’s office, urgent care, or the emergency room (ER). Each one serves a different purpose.
Doctor’s Office
Your regular doctor knows you and your health history. It’s the best place for routine care, like check-ups and annual exams, or managing chronic symptoms and illnesses with specialty care.
If you can wait a few days or weeks, make an appointment with your doctor. Acute, minor infections are also reasons to see if you can be seen.
For example, if you get a cold, flu or cough, you may be able to get added onto the schedule for a consultation and if desired, treatment, such as IV therapy for immune support.
You can call your doctor’s office and ask to schedule. There will be times your regular doctor doesn’t have scheduling availability for a week or a few weeks as they are not an urgent care clinic. This is a situation to seek out urgent care services.
Urgent Care
This is the spot for when you can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment but it’s not a life-threatening emergency. Urgent Care Centers are great for when you need medical attention quickly.
They handle things like sprains, simple bone breaks, minor cuts that may need stitches, fevers, and infections. You can usually walk in without an appointment and get seen more quickly than at the ER.
It’s good to remember that you can request your visit notes and medical records are shared with your doctor. This way, when you follow up with your regular provider, they can know how you were treated and provide continuity of care.
Emergency Rooms (ER)
Aka Emergency Departments (ED) are open 24/7 for serious and life-threatening conditions. The ER is for real emergencies. If you think your life or a part of your body is in danger, like with chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe burns, have had a major accident, or severe injuries, go straight to the ER or call 911.
They have the equipment and staff to deal with these critical situations. When checking out of the emergency department, keep your after visit summary to share with your regular provider, and request your chart notes be sent to your doctor.
Choosing the right place can save you time and money. Plus, it helps make sure that those who truly need emergency care get it fast. If you’re ever unsure about where to go, you can call your doctor’s office or your insurance company for advice. Most health insurance or health share cards have a number on the back you can call.
Remember, if you need care within a few days, your regular physician may not be able to help in time. If your condition is not life-threatening but still needs prompt care, urgent care might be the way to go. It can save you time and money.
But if it’s an emergency, don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room. Your health is too important to take a chance.
Our licensed naturopathic medical doctor (NMD) and certified functional medicine physician offers comprehensive naturopathic health consultations in Meridian / Boise, Idaho. Free discovery calls are available!
