While there are many beneficial urgent care facilities in Loveland, many times you can see your family physician for care. When you’re sick or have an injury, you’re miserable and not always thinking clearly. Likewise, when you have children — you have to have just the right kind of judgement — not too panicked and not too lax, so what warrants a trip to Loveland’s finest urgent care or Loveland’s best family physician?
Injury and illness takes its toll and can leave you down and out. At Huneycutt Family Medicine in Loveland, we want to be your solution to all that ails you! Learn more about how we can assist in both health and illness, and join us in today’s post with insight on how to decide between urgent care and your family practice.
How to Decide Between the Doctor or Urgent Care
It’s difficult to judge whether or not to wait and see your primary care physician or go to urgent care — on one hand you don’t want to be dramatic and on the other you don’t want to make matters worse. Below are some guidelines on when to go to urgent care and when your family physician is perfectly acceptable.
Urgent Care Facilities
Urgent care is for patients who don’t have life-threatening injuries or illnesses, but who can’t wait to see their family physician. Urgent care will see you for the following health symptoms and concerns:
- Minor traumas including sprains and shallow cuts
- Fever
- Allergic reactions – non-life threatening
- Diarrhea
- Painful urination
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
When to go to urgent care – Urgent care is there for you when your doctor’s office is closed (during the weekend) and if you’re unable to be seen by your primary care physician. If your symptoms are life-threatening such as a heart attack or an allergic reaction, seek care at your local emergency room (ER).
Why go to the urgent care? – Urgent care facilities often have extended and weekend hours with walk-ins and even online scheduling, which makes it extremely convenient.
Are there drawbacks? – Urgent care gives beneficial treatment, however, you will likely not see a doctor and instead will be seen by a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. Also, your medical history is not already known, so you’ll have to be detailed about health history.
Primary care hack: If you’re an established patient at a family medicine clinic, always call to see if there have been any cancellations. You may even be able to get onto a waitlist or into a blocked time that physicians schedule into their days for this exact reason. Reaching out to the clinic is always worth it.
Family Medicine Practices
Family physicians play a crucial role in the health care system and should be utilized. Family medical practices are great for the following health issues including:
- Skin issues
- Cold and flu
- Minor bumps, bruises, or sprains
- Sore throats
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Diabetes
When to go to your family physician – Your family physician is great for preventative and sick care that aren’t urgent or life-threatening. Schedule wellness screenings and diagnostics or any illness that can be treated with antibiotics. They’re also able to order x-rays and lab work or refer you to a specialist.
Why go to a family medical practice – The best draw to having a family physician is they know you and have a better picture of your health history, which is beneficial for consistent and proper care.
One facility is not better than the other, they just offer different things. The next time you’re faced with the decision think about what’s more fitting, and always connect with your family physician to see how they might be able to help.
For more information on our family medical practice in Loveland, schedule a wellness appointment today!