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What is urgent care?

At first glance, 'urgent care center' appears as another name for the emergency department (ED). However, while the ED mainly treats severe, life-threatening injuries, an urgent care center is equipped to deal with various medical problems that do not require emergency care. For instance, fractures, minor cuts, tears, animal bites, sprains, or infections may only require a visit to the urgent care clinic. However, if the patient already suffers from a long-term condition — such as osteoporosis or cancer — then even a minor injury may become a medical emergency. For example, even a hairline fracture or wound may lead to excessive or uncontrolled bleeding due to hemophilia. In such cases, a visit to the emergency department is advisable.

In contrast, some symptoms always require immediate medical attention, and you should call 911 immediately. These include seizures, difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, uncontrolled bleeding, paralysis, and other life-threatening symptoms.

However, do note that urgent care is not a medical specialty in its own right. Medical practitioners in this field do not conduct surgery, treat inpatients, or provide long-term care. Instead, they provide immediate (in some cases, same-day) care and then make referrals to other specialists for follow-ups. Shorter waiting times and lower costs are the primary difference between visiting an urgent care clinic versus a primary care physician (PCP) or the emergency department (ED).

What education do urgent care physicians receive?

Urgent care physicians complete an undergraduate degree in a medicine-related subject, clear the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), join a medical school, and graduate with an MD or a DO degree. Following that, they complete residency training in their preferred specialty and pass a licensing exam to practice medicine.

According to the American Board of Physician Specialties, doctors must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for certification in urgent care medicine: 

• Adhere to the ABPS code of ethics
• Have a valid and unrestricted medical license for the US, US territories, or Canada
• Graduate from a recognized US, Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine 

Foreign medical school graduates must have an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Certificate.

Facilities at an urgent care clinic 

Urgent care clinics vary widely. Some run independently, and others affiliate with hospitals. Regardless of these differences, urgent care clinics share some features in common:

• The staff includes nurses, nurse assistants, and physicians.
• They only operate during fixed hours and charge a comparatively lower fee. 
• They have basic diagnostic facilities, such as pregnancy tests or X-rays 
• They only perform minor surgeries, such as sutures (stitches) 
• They focus on acute medical problems that do not pose an immediate threat to life

In comparison, the emergency department often operates 24/7 and may have teams comprising specialists with advanced training. It is common for ED specialists to conduct significant operations or provide extended care for critically ill patients. Emergency departments usually offer cutting-edge diagnostic services, including ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, etc. As a result, a visit to the emergency department may lead to higher medical bills.

Overall, there has been an increased preference for urgent care centers over emergency services to treat low-acuity conditions. In fact, such visits to the ED fell by almost 36%, according to a JAMA Internal Medicine study that examined members at a commercial insurance company between 2008 and 2015. At the same time, there was an almost 31% increase in the overall visits for low-acuity conditions, primarily at UC centers. This fall in visits to the ED may be attributable to the following:

• Rising out-of-pocket costs: the mean price for an ED visit has increased from almost $914 to $1637 from 2008 to 2015. This increase was overshadowed by a nearly 125% rise in out-of-pocket expenses, which climbed from around $187 to $422 over the same period.
• Inconvenience: the study found that changes in ED visits were negatively associated with non-ED visits (such as those to UC centers, retail clinics, or telemedicine venues).
• Long ED wait times.

At the same time, it is essential to note that urgent care clinics aren't a substitute for a family practice. If you fall sick outside of office hours or your family doctor is away, an urgent care clinic can help. However, for routine medical problems, you should first consider visiting your GP (or a dentist or OB-GYN, as the case may be).

When should you visit an urgent care center?

You can pay a visit to an urgent care center for concerns like:

• Common illnesses: Colds, the flu, earaches, migraines, sore throat, and mild fevers
• Minor injuries: Sprains, minor burns and cuts, back pain, and minor fractures
• Wheezing: Asthma and chronic allergies without life-threatening symptoms like not being able to speak and swollen face, throat, or tongue

You can also seek urgent care near you if you feel unwell but do not know the cause of your symptoms.

Things to know before visiting an urgent care center 

You don't need an appointment to see a doctor at an urgent care center because many are walk-in facilities. Some urgent care facilities, nevertheless, do make appointments. To shorten your wait time, it doesn't harm to call a facility in advance and ask if you can reserve a specific time window.

Even if a facility doesn't accept appointments, you can check in online. Go ahead and provide them with the necessary information so they can get ready for your arrival. You can reserve your place in line and get a head start on seeing the doctor. 

Choose a clinic that specializes in the kind of service you require. For example, if your child needs medical attention, some urgent care facilities have pediatric care specialists on staff. You can also search for other clinics that treat orthopedic or women's health-related problems. 

While you can visit an urgent care center anytime during the clinic’s operating hours, some times would be busier than others. These include nights, weekends, and holidays when doctors’ offices are closed. So, the more crowded a facility is, the longer it would take you to see a healthcare provider. 

But if you can hold on for a while, call the facility and check the estimated wait time before leaving your house. This way, you receive urgent care quickly without wasting many hours.

Also, remember you might only sometimes be able to see a doctor. Most urgent care centers employ doctors but also have physician assistants and nurse practitioners on staff. Occasionally, you might see one of them for your diagnosis and prescriptions.

Like a standard doctor's office, urgent care centers do not keep a thorough record of a patient's medical history. Bring all necessary medical documents to the clinic so the process will move faster, and you can get the finest care possible. It can contain the names of any prescription drugs you're taking and your current health insurance information. A list of all the medical diagnoses and vaccinations will also be helpful.

Ensure you have your primary care physician's name and contact information (or the pediatrician your child sees) available. You also need to have the parental consent form for any minors you bring to the facility who are not your children. 

Additionally, a photo ID is required to confirm your identity. Ensure you have any fees or copays ready, as you are also liable for that at the time of the appointment.

Waiting times in emergency room vs. urgent care in Illinois

According to a recent report by the Daily Mail, Illinois ranks amongst the top ten states in the United States with the most extended waiting times at emergency rooms (ER). The waiting times were around 157 minutes (2 hours and 37 minutes). The overall waiting time at the ER depends on various factors, such as the type of facility, hospital, availability, etc. 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a significant burden on the healthcare systems. However, urgent care centers have also come into the frame and have contributed towards providing prompt primary care. 

How to find urgent care near you in Chicago

You can see an urgent care physician now if you suffer from rashes, infections, sprains, earaches, or similar conditions. Use Zocdoc to search for your health condition and urgent care providers. We will connect you with top-rated urgent care physicians in no time.

Zocdoc also displays public ratings of physicians, along with detailed profiles. These profiles provide essential information about the doctor's education, qualifications, board certifications, and clinical interests. Here, you can also learn more about the provider's cultural competence and the languages they speak.

We all know that sickness rarely respects business hours. A 2016 survey by NPR (National Public Radio) found that around 1 in 5 respondents had not seen a PCP (primary care physician) in the past year due to the unavailability of appointments. However, with Zocdoc, you can quickly fix appointments and get the medical attention you need.

Zocdoc uses powerful algorithms to help you find the top-rated providers in Chicago. In the search bar, type "urgent care providers near me," we will display the best physicians in your neighborhood.

If you are worried about out-of-pocket costs or a tight budget, look for in-network providers. Many insurance companies do cover urgent care. Check with your insurance provider to know more about their reimbursement policies. You can also include your insurance provider's name in the search query. Zocdoc will display the physicians who accept your insurance, helping you avail high-quality care while staying within your budget. 

The growing demand for unscheduled care has also been the focus of scientific research. A 2018 JAMA study concluded that urgent care centers had overtaken emergency departments (ED) as the most common site for treating "low-acuity" conditions, i.e., ailments such as colds, rashes, or infections. The rising demand for urgent care centers is a national trend.

On Zocdoc, you can book both in-person and online appointments. While browsing the list of healthcare providers, look for a purple-colored video icon next to their names. The presence of this icon indicates that the doctor offers virtual consultations.

If you want to seek urgent care near you, book an appointment with Zocdoc in no time. Bookings are free, safe, and secure!

Sources

MedlinePlus

American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine

National Center for Biotechnology Information

American Board of Physician Specialties

Mayo Clinic

National Public Radio 

Healthline

The Daily Mail

Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center

American Board of Physician Specialties

Indeed

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.