While urgent care facilities are increasing in both number and popularity, confusion surrounding their purpose and efficacy has led some to avoid using their services. Once and for all, let’s debunk some of the most common myths surrounding these modern medical centers:
1. Urgent versus Emergency Care
A fine but critical difference, urgent is NOT emergency care. An urgent care facility is intended to provide immediate care for non-life-threatening injuries, while an Emergency Room is designed to save lives. An ER can provide urgent medical attention, but a UC is not for emergencies.
2. Walk-In means no appointments
Designed to be both quick and convenient, urgent care facilities often operate on a walk-in basis. In addition, some also take appointments; in such a case, the latter would take preference and walk-ins would be seen as time/staff allowed.
3. I can’t get specialized treatment
While urgent care is not intended as a substitute for specialized treatment, certain facilities do have the ability to undertake specialist medical treatment. In any case, an urgent care is intended as a mediary until an appointment can be made with a certified Specialist.
4. Hospitals have better care
While the doctors at a hospital may have a different set of skills, they are no more or less professional than those employed at an urgent care facility. Indeed, you may even find that urgent care physicians have their own background in a hospital or emergency setting.
5. Urgent care can replace my PHP
Though equipped to provide medical attention comparable to a Primary Care Provider, an urgent care physician is intended as a go-to when 1) emergency care is not dire, and 2) a PHP is not available. While staff are just as friendly at both, only a Primary Care facility can provide the integrated care that develops throughout a doctor-patient relationship.
Whether you are looking for urgent care or are simply interested in finding your nearest facility (better to be prepared!), Central Jersey Urgent Care of Eatontown is proud to be a premier provider of the care you need, when you need it. To learn more about our impressive array of services.