Waiting to see your general practitioner is not always an option if you're suffering. A walk in clinic or urgent care center has minimal wait and affordable treatments.
Sometimes something really,
really hurts and you can't wait to see a doctor. When this happens, you'll save yourself stress and pain by visiting an urgent care or walk in clinic. You'll generally be seen on the same day in under an hour and get the treatment or prescription that you need to start healing and get back to your regular routine sooner.
Common infections such as a UTI (urinary tract infection), ear, sinus, pinkeye, can all be treated at a walk in clinic. In most cases, a short test and prescribed course of antibiotics is enough to clear up the infection within a few days and relieve the discomfort associated with the symptoms. In many of these cases, such as UTI, over the counter medication cannot fully clear the issue and it is necessary to see a doctor. Waiting for an appointment with your general practitioner, which can take several weeks, may cause the condition to worsen and pain to increase. In more extreme cases, more complications can arise and infection can spread, such as in the case of pinkeye when it moves to the other eye, or infects those who come into contact with you.
For most bone breaks and deep cuts that require stitches, a walk in clinic can provide much quicker service at a fraction of the price of the emergency room at the nearest hospital. In emergency rooms, unless you have a life-threatening condition, you may be left waiting in pain for several hours. A bill for an ambulance if called and care will also be high unless you have insurance. At most clinics, you can expect to be seen within fifteen to thirty minutes of arrival, and that doesn't mean you'll be stuck in the doctor's office for another hour. Since the facilities are generally smaller, they handle a much lower volume of patients. There are usually only one or two exam rooms so you won't be stuck waiting endlessly.
If you're ill and can't identify the problem and are experiencing such symptoms as severe headache, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, shortness of breath, or any other unusual and sudden pains, a walk in clinic can perform tests to get to the source. Most clinics provide onsite testing and lab work, and you won't have to wait weeks to get the results. You will likely get answers on the same day of your visit. While an urgent care can't perform all diagnostic tests, they do have access to x-rays, EKG, IV fluids, nebulizers, and other basic equipment used within a hospital setting.
You don't need insurance to visit an urgent care, although they do accept many types. Those who are paying in cash should inquire about a sliding scale that most offer, which can help ensure you would not be slapped with an unaffordable bill. If the facility is not capable of treating your problem, they can make recommendations for you to find a specialist that can help you. Hours can vary slightly, but most will be open seven days a week, with some 24-hour or late night centers.
