5 Common Misconceptions About Urgent Care
When your medical concern can't wait until your next doctor's appointment, you have the option to go to an urgent care center. Common medical conditions treated at these centers include pink eye, minor burns, urinary tract infections, and bronchitis.
Here are a few common myths about urgent care that you should be aware of.
The Medical Staff at Urgent Care Centers Are Not Well-Qualified
Unfortunately, some people may be reluctant to go to urgent care centers because they don't think the staff is well-qualified. The truth is, however, that they have the same training as staff at doctor's offices and hospitals. When you visit an urgent care center, you can be rest assured that you will be in capable hands.
There Is No Difference Between Urgent Care and Emergency Care
This is one of the most common misconceptions about urgent are. Urgent care is actually very different from emergency care. Emergency rooms handle life-threatening medical problems, such as strokes and heart attacks. Urgent care is intended to treat non-life-threatening medical issues promptly.
You Are Not Allowed to Make Appointments at Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care centers certainly do not require you to make appointments, but that does not mean you are prohibited from doing so. If you, for example, want to go to an urgent care center for lab work, making an appointment in advance may be beneficial.
Urgent Care Centers Do Not Have Specialized Services
Many people believe that urgent care services just provide basic services, like wound care and strep tests. However, some urgent care centers also provide specialized services, such as women's health and sports medicine. If you require one of these specialized services, call your local urgent cancer to make sure they offer them.
Urgent Care Centers Only Have Evening and Weekend Hours
Urgent care centers are not just open during evening and weekend hours. Many of these facilities also have normal business hours. If your medical problem has to be treated quickly, but your doctor has no available appointments, you can just head to your local urgent care center.
A doctor at the urgent care center can provide treatment and then send your records to your regular physician.
As you can see, there are a lot of myths that exist about urgent care. If you have a medical problem that requires prompt treatment, you should go to an urgent care center as soon as possible.