Spring time weather in the middle of February.
In many parts of the country, it is difficult to beat the sunshine, the temperatures, and the greening of the grass. Kids are digging out their bicycles, their hover boards, and their running shoes. Adults are cleaning out the garage, repainting garage doors, and thinking about uncoiling the hoses from the garage storage containers.
On weekends of huge weather shifts, however, it is not always about the sun and the fun. Weekends that include bicycle and skateboard rides that are the first of the summer, unfortunately, also include mishaps and missteps. Health clinics and walk in urgent care centers find themselves especially busy whenever there is a major change in the weather. An unexpected icy morning can fill a medical walk in clinic with patients who slip and fall, just as the warm sunshine can fill the the nearest walk in clinics with sprained ankles and broken bones as people get readjusted to their bicycles and other outdoor activities.
Where Do You Go When Your Family Has a Weekend Injury, or Health Emergency?
Today’s health consumer has a variety of options when it comes to getting medical care. Although many still select the standard family physician or pediatrician for their day to day health needs, many Americans are growing increasingly accustomed to visiting convenient neighborhood health clinics. And while many still think of a hospital emergency room for care on the weekend or late at night, a growing number of health consumers are looking for less expensive options. For many people, today’s most convenient, cost effective, and reliable health care is in quick care clinics that are increasing in number across the country.
As many as 20,000 physicians practice urgent care medicine today. In fact, as the nation continues to adapt to an increasing number of Americans who now have access to healthcare, it is likely that the number of physicians in this field will continue to increase.
Americans search for affordable care. It should come as no surprise that today’s health consumers are in search of affordable care. In a time when the government seems to be saying that they may cancel the healthcare access that many Americans have finally received, the typical health consumer is often as concerned about the cost of the care that they get as much as anything else. The problem with healthcare, however, is that it is often unavoidable. In fact, many individuals and families find themselves in need of immediate care. For this reason, many health consumers tend to seek out the affordable and predictable nature of neighborhood health clinics that post the price for standard care procedures. For instance, knowing exactly how much a strep throat test will cost can increase the chance that even a family with minimal health insurance coverage will get this needed test when necessary.
From strep throat tests to x-rays, understanding the pricing structure of a healthcare center is often less intimidating than the hidden fees and charges from a hospital emergency room visit. Research indicates that the most common diagnosis in an urgent care center in the year 2012 was upper respiratory condition; the most common procedure was wound repair. Many of these visits are more affordable at a neighborhood clinic than at a hospital emergency room.
Americans search for convenient care. Another advantage to health clinics is the convenient hours of operation, as well as the walk in format. While family physicians may be great options for appointments that you can schedule weeks or months in advance, emergencies typically happen at inconvenient times. And if a family physician’s office is open, it is unlikely that there will be an available time slot. Knowing that you can walk into a health clinic and see a doctor virtually any time of the night or day means that you can get the care you need when you need it.
Most health concerns are more appropriately handled when they are dealt with immediately. A broken arm, for instance, needs to be diagnosed and casted. A sinus infection will rarely go away on its own; instead, it needs to be diagnosed and treated. Few health concerns, in fact, get better if you have to wait to see a qualified doctor or nurse practitioner.