You know what a regular doctor’s office is, and you’re all too familiar with the emergency room. You may even know what an urgent care facility is.
Even then, are you aware of the following misconceptions about urgent care visits?
1. Urgent Care is for Mini Emergencies
The word “urgent” in urgent care may be perceived as a synonym for emergency care. In reality, urgent implies that medical care is provided quickly. In fact, urgent care clinics aren’t exactly equipped to handle emergencies. They do, however, handle non-emergency injuries like fractures, diagnoses of illnesses like strep throat, and care for ear infections, for instance.
2. Going to a Regular Doctor is Cheaper
While one might think medical care that is urgent might cost more, they’re actually typically more affordable than attending a regular doctor visit and a fraction of the cost of going to an emergency room.
3. Urgent Care Facilities Offer the Same Services as One Another
Every urgent care clinic offers different services and equipment. For example, many clinics may not have the equipment to tell if a patient is having a miscarriage. However, some facilities do have the equipment.
4. You Need an Appointment First
Most of the time, an appointment is not necessary at urgent care clinics. (Although, many do have the option.) Walk-ins are welcome, and if anything, are the most common way people receive medical care at an urgent care clinic. While you may have to wait if you’re a walk-in, you typically won’t have to wait as long as you would at a non-urgent care walk-in facility.
5. Urgent Care is Only Open During Evenings and Weekends
Many believe that urgent care clinics are only open during non-traditional doctor hours, like after 5 pm, on weekends, or even on holidays. While these clinics are often available the latter days and times, they’re also open during regular doctor hours as well, at your convenience.
6. The Care You Receive Lacks Quality
Because urgent care clinics have licensed, highly-trained medical staff, the level of care and knowledge coming from a doctor at urgent care is equivalent to that of a non-urgent care clinic. To top it off, these facilities have many of the tools and equipment that an average doctor’s office would typically have.
7. It’s Hard to Find an Urgent Care Clinic
Some might believe urgent care clinics, since they are a newer, modern approach to medical care, are only available in urban areas. However, this is false. There are many urgent care facilities available in suburban and even rural areas.
You can find an instacare clinic near you with a simple internet search.
Conclusion
While urgent care clinics are becoming more and more common, they still tend to be misunderstood. Even previous urgent care patients may hold misconceptions about the facilities and the type of care they provide. From lack of quality care, to not being open during regular doctor hours, to costing a lot of money, these are common rumors surrounding urgent care.
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