Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I actually really appreciate urgent care centers. No need for an appointment, and a PA can handle most routine medical issues just as well as a doctor. Not sure what the problem is.
The main reason our system is over burdened is the people that think they need medical attention for every little thing. Going to the doctor for a common cold and/or flu is ridiculous. Besides an annual physical, I barely ever need to go to the doctor, but urgent care is a really nice option.
Most jobs want a doctors note if out more than 3 days(such as for flu)
And these days,having a fever can mean cold,flu,or covid. You really need to know the microorganism making you sick. Flu is not just flu. Flu can be covid,or even meningitis.
Most jobs want a doctors note if out more than 3 days(such as for flu)
And these days,having a fever can mean cold,flu,or covid. You really need to know the microorganism making you sick. Flu is not just flu. Flu can be covid,or even meningitis.
My daughter is uninsured so urgent care is where she goes for things like testing for flu, strep, etc. They are happy to give her a note that states she was seen in their facility on such and such a date and she's never had any employer question that. Most of the time she is not seen by an actual doctor, except one time it was serious and they sent her over to the ER ASAP.
Most jobs want a doctors note if out more than 3 days(such as for flu)
And these days,having a fever can mean cold,flu,or covid. You really need to know the microorganism making you sick. Flu is not just flu. Flu can be covid,or even meningitis.
No, flu is caused by the influenza virus. Other respiratory infections can cause similar symptoms to flu, but they are not flu.
A woman whose water broke and is in labor
Childbirth is mainly a life or death situation - so yep, it's an emergency.
Not sure why you're arguing this point. I think the original issue was Folks Wait at ERs - and my point is - NO KIDDING. Most folks in the ER are not "emergencies" from a trauma point of view. Statistically, this is the fact.
There are not an infinite amount of doctors available - and NONE that are sitting around doing nothing. Thus - you wait.
What's the alternative? We pay doctors to do nothing? Always onsite and always ready...and enough of them so that no one ever waits?
Urgent care only exists because our inadequate medical system has left us with insufficient affordable doctors. And did you know that urgent care centers can differ vastly, and some don't even necessarily have an MD on the premises?
Just What the (Urgent Care) Doctor Ordered
If you live in the United States, you’ve most likely experienced the glacial pace of getting medical treatment. It can take weeks to see a primary care doctor, and an emergency room visit can set you back many hours.
But why is it so slow? Doctors are treating more patients than they did previously, says Dr. Ari Friedman, assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. With primary care doctors overburdened, navigating the current health care system can feel overwhelming for patients. That’s one reason urgent care centers are on the rise. https://dnyuz.com/2023/11/17/just-wh...octor-ordered/
You surf the web for disaster reports? Some professor had his say and now it is the truth!
What real time and real life experience do you have with the US medical system?
As long as we have lived in the US we never waited more than a few days for non-critical medical care or diagnostics. Primary care physicians and now PA were and are extremely accommodating no matter how busy they are. If there is some urgency same day. Otherwise 24-48 hours. Blood work gets scheduled according to our availability and results get discussed the next day by phone or video unless we want a f/f. Yes, they are very busy but patients are seen as patients even though they have to work by their guidelines.
Urgent Care Clinics generally work closely with a hospital system or are affiliated. That means check in and initial diagnoses at the clinic. If it is critical you are already checked in with the respective hospital and will be on your way to your room. Diagnosis and consult between staff is often by face time. If you have the sniffles or need a couple of stiches you are in good hands.
Of course there is the emergency-room-crowd who uses up space and time and the visiting-the-doctor-crowd.
Yes, they are, and yes, they do. But ultimately, it's the government that makes the decision. The government chooses whether or not to honor the requests of the lobbies.
Urgent Care is an excellent option for things that are actually urgent but not emergent. Emergency care is for cases that are emergent, i.e. medical care that directly addresses threats to life, limb, or eyesight. Examples include heart attack, stroke, gunshot wounds, major motor vehicle accidents, open fractures, appendicitis, severe allergic reactions that make it difficult to breath, bleeding that does not stop with 10 minutes of direct pressure, major wounds requiring stitches, poisoning, a major injury such as head trauma, persistent vomiting, or suicidal or homicidal feelings.
Urgent care is great for the more routine things that can't wait a couple days until you can see your PCP, such as needing a few stitches for a minor cut, needing a tetanus shot after a minor injury like stepping on a nail, the flu or an ear infection, a broken finger or toe, etc.
If everyone would use the appropriate venue for treatment it would help everyone be seen promptly. Clogging up the ER with standard flu cases that will usually pass on their own with symptom-relieving OTC meds, minor injuries needing 3 or 4 stitches, anxiety attacks, etc. that could be resolved at a less busy urgent care facilities really messes with prompt treatment in the ER. Naturally the ER staff have to constantly triage and prioritize patients as newer and possibly more emergent cases arrive, meaning long waits for those with minor or non-emergent needs. Other people who don't get a PCP and don't receive routine maintenance care for their chronic issues also eat up scarce hospital resources with issues that would've never happened with proper routine care by their PCP or appropriate specialist.
Yes, they are, and yes, they do. But ultimately, it's the government that makes the decision. The government chooses whether or not to honor the requests of the lobbies.
And they did choose to limit med school admissions at one point- don't know if it stands today.
One could argue that a lot of our gov't legislation is heavily influenced by lobbyists. Think of the NRA.
Probably why we now have so many urgent cares and CVS minute clinics, etc., not to mention PAs instead of DRs.
And they did choose to limit med school admissions at one point- don't know if it stands today.
One could argue that a lot of our gov't legislation is heavily influenced by lobbyists. Think of the NRA.
Probably why we now have so many urgent cares and CVS minute clinics, etc., not to mention PAs instead of DRs.
The limiting factor is still the number of residencies. Medical schools could graduate millions of people, but if there are no residencies for them, they cannot get licensed and practice.
The AMA has lobbied for more residencies for decades.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
