Urgent Care vs. Primary Care

What you thought was just a common cold seems to be lingering for longer than you’d like, and you’ve decided that it’s time to seek treatment. You’re going through a list of Bridgeview medical centers and trying to decide which one is right for your situation. How can you choose what’s right for you?

Many people automatically default to making an appointment with their primary care providers when they know they aren’t dealing with a medical emergency, but is that always the right call? When would it make more sense to visit a walk-in clinic or Urgent Care center?

Let’s discuss this. Read on to learn all about the differences, similarities, advantages, and disadvantages of primary care offices and Urgent Care centers so you can make an informed choice about your healthcare.

Primary Care

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care physicians are crucial for your overall healthcare. Your primary care doctor will be your first point of contact for all of your medical needs. Most people visit this doctor once per year, and they may use them for referrals to specialists, prescriptions, and general health advice.

Most people stick with the same primary care physician for a long time unless the doctor retires or the patient moves. They build a strong doctor-patient relationship, and primary care physicians are often the first people who notice when there’s something amiss with a patient’s health.

Your primary care doctor has to be within your insurance network (if you’re insured), otherwise, they can be quite expensive.

When to See Your Primary Care Doctor

So when should you see your PCP?

It’s a good idea to get regular checkups or wellness checks with your primary care physician at least once per year. This helps you maintain that important doctor-patient relationship, and you’ll have the opportunity to discuss any issues or questions you may have.

Your PCP is also helpful if you’re seeking specialized care. They’re an excellent resource for connecting with specialists, and they can refer you to the right provider for your needs.

If you’re feeling ill and require help right away, it’s likely not the best idea to visit your doctor unless they have an open schedule. In that case, finding “immediate care near me” is a far better option.

Advantages and Limitations of Primary Care

Primary care physicians have an important role in the medical world. They’re able to truly get to know and understand their patients and point people in the right direction when they’re struggling with their health. They give excellent health advice, and they help patients navigate the process of finding specialists.

However, they can be quite expensive to the uninsured. They also tend to have limited hours, and many are booked months out for appointments. This means that they don’t have the ability to provide timely care if necessary.

Urgent Care

What Is Urgent Care?

Urgent Care centers are medical facilities that provide same-day care. Patients can walk in with a variety of issues and see a medical professional quickly. Urgent Care centers have access to top-of-the-line diagnostic tools, quick access to tests, and a full staff of doctors and nurses who are all ready and waiting to help patients with minor care needs.

They have extended hours so patients can visit at convenient times and they tend to be more affordable than other types of care options.

Patients may build relationships with specific doctors and nurses, but urgent care centers will match patients with providers who are immediately available, even if they haven’t seen them in the past. This allows quicker access to care.

When to Visit an Urgent Care Center

So how do you know when the Urgent Care center makes more sense than making an appointment with your primary care provider?

Urgent Care centers handle many of the same problems are primary care doctors. They’re there for small health issues that aren’t life-threatening but are still uncomfortable. Perhaps you need antibiotics, you’re dealing with minor dehydration, or you have a minor sprain.

You may know you need a prescription, but you don't have time to wait. You want to get through the appointment right away so you can start feeling better.

That’s when you know that an Urgent Care center makes the most sense for your situation. As long as you’re not dealing with a medical emergency, visit your local Bridgeview Urgent Care to get the quick and efficient care you need.

Advantages and Limitations of Urgent Care

Urgent Care centers are far more accessible than primary care physicians most of the time. There’s no need to wait weeks for an appointment or to call out of work. They have hours that work for you, and you can walk in any time.

They have a wide variety of diagnostic tools available on-site, and they're able to order labs and tests quickly. There's no need to wait around for a long time for a diagnosis They’re great for quick treatment so patients can get back to their lives.

Urgent Care centers don’t replace primary care. It’s still helpful to build a relationship with a long-term primary care provider. However, due to the ever-expanding list of services that clinics like UrgiClinic provide, they’re becoming excellent healthcare resources.

An Urgent Care center is the place to go for efficient non-emergency care.

Visit Us at UrgiClinic for Your Urgent Care Needs

At UrgiClinic, we’re ready to provide efficient and personalized care for all of our patients. We understand the frustration that comes from waiting weeks for an appointment with a primary care physician, and when you have an urgent healthcare need, that wait feels like it lasts forever.

Simply walk into UrgiClinic for same-day care. We offer treatment for many minor illnesses and injuries, as well as pediatric care, women’s healthcare, hydration therapy, and so much more.

Visit UrgiClinic and let us take care of you.