An urgent care center may not be as good as you think

Nobody enjoys feeling sick. After all, if you are under the weather, you may miss out on work, family obligations and recreational opportunities. While scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician may seem like a hassle, it may be better than stopping at an urgent care facility. 

In the middle of 2018, there were roughly 8,300 urgent care clinics in the United States. At these facilities, medical professionals conducted approximately 89 million patient visits. This number accounted for nearly 30 percent of all medical appointments that year. Even though urgent care facilities are popular, they may not always offer the best care. On the contrary, you may experience some type of medical malpractice at the facility. Here are some reasons urgent care clinics may not be as good as you think: 

Limited resources 

Most urgent care centers have limited resources. That is, you likely cannot expect to receive all types of care at the center. Instead, medical professionals have enough equipment to treat routine injuries and illnesses. If you have something potentially serious, going to the hospital is likely a better strategy. 

Missing medical histories 

One of the great aspects of always seeing the same doctor is the development of a comprehensive medical history. When a physician diagnoses and treats you, she relies on your medical records. A medical professional at an urgent care center may only have access to your symptoms and words, making both a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan more difficult. 

A lack of follow-up care 

Nurses and doctors at urgent care facilities are good at treating symptoms. Unfortunately, though, sometimes minor symptoms turn into major medical conditions. After a visit to the urgent care center, you may think you are on the road to recovery. Without follow-up care, though, you may miss something important. 

You probably have some choice in selecting your healthcare provider. While urgent care clinics play an important role in today’s society, they may not give you the level of care you expect. By understanding the limitations of these facilities, you can likely better plan for taking control of your healthcare.