Walk In Clinic: What You Need To Know

About 1 in 5 Americans have used a walk in clinic in the past, and 1 in 3 say they are willing to use one if necessary. In addition to the many stand-alone facilities, you may have seen one in your local grocery store or pharmacy. Here is some information you should have before you decide to try one.

A number of factors have contributed to the expansion of these clinics in recent years, such as increased difficulty getting a same-day appointment with a regular physician due to increased patient load. They are also quite convenient, as they have extended hours of operation, meaning you can be seen after work and not have to take time off from your job to get medical care. If you need to get any shots prior to traveling, you can obtain them at the clinic as they are very cheap, and they also perform sports physicals and work physicals. If you have health insurance, the visit will most likely be fully covered other than a small co-pay. Even if you are without insurance, the cost is still less than a visit to a physician's office.

On a typical clinic visit, you will sign in and then wait for your name to be called, with the average wait time being less than hour. You will then be seen by a licensed doctor who will ask you some simple questions about your medical history, such as if you are taking any medications. You will undergo an exam that focuses mainly on your current complaint. For example, if you have chronic back pain but presented to the office because of problems with your foot, the physician will mainly concentrate on your foot and let your regular doctor help you with your other complaints. Since many facilities also offer laboratory and x-ray services, these will be provided if necessary for a quick diagnosis. You will be given treatment recommendations and prescriptions with instructions to follow up with your regular physician.

It is important to note that a walk-in clinic is not a substitute for your regular physician, especially if you have any chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or pulmonary problems. Be sure to inform your regular physician about the treatment you received from the facility, especially if you were prescribed any medication, since he or she needs to keep track of the medications you are taking to avoid any dangerous interactions. In addition, since these facilities are a relatively new development in the field of medicine, the quality of care that they provide has not been tested adequately. Therefore, you need to ensure that the provider is a licensed physician before you go in. You can call the office prior to your visit to find out the doctor's name, and then you can check online with the local medical board to get information about his education level and experience.

The typical walk-in clinic has been successful at filling a need, especially in light of the volume overload that many physicians are facing. They offer good value for the money and can be the right choice for you, provided you do your homework.