One of the most significant challenges currently facing the American healthcare system is a shortage of primary care physicians. In fact, in a 2016 survey conducted by National Public Radio (NPR), one in five respondents indicated that they had been unable to see their primary care physician in the last two years because of lack of available appointment times. A challenge the healthcare system has been working to overcome is having skilled medical professionals available to provide service and treatment in a fast, affordable, and convenient manner. For this reason and others, the Urgent Care Medicine delivery model has strongly resonated with the American public.
Urgent Care, by definition, is designed to provide medical care for illnesses or injuries that require attention but are not life threatening. This delivery model is structured to get the patient in the door, seeing a medical professional, and back on the road to recovery in as little time as possible. In fact, according to a recent report by the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), 92 percent of urgent care centers reported wait times of less than 30 minutes in 2015. Furthermore, urgent care centers tend to maintain later, longer regular business hours, making them a convenient alternative to a mid-week appointment with a primary care physician. Plus, since appointments don’t need to be made several days in advance, patients are able to get the treatment they need, when they need it.
This gives people an alternative to visiting the ER in situations that require immediate attention but aren’t necessarily an emergency. Only three percent of patients who visited an urgent care center in 2016 had to be redirected to an emergency room, according to the UCAOA report.
For these reasons and others, Urgent Care Medicine is more popular than ever. At the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), we recognized the rapid pace in which Urgent Care Medicine has grown, and we developed the Board of Certification in Urgent Care Medicine (BCUCM) to recognize highly experienced and knowledgeable Urgent Care physicians with board certification distinction. With so many urgent care locations opening around the country, having a board certified BCUCM physician on staff can represent a significant competitive advantage. To determine if a physician is certified through the BCUCM, visit our portal here. Or, if you are a physician with extensive Urgent Care experience and you are interested in pursuing board certification through our Member Board, contact the ABPS today.
FAQs
Urgent care centers play a crucial role in providing convenient and efficient healthcare services for a wide range of medical needs. They offer timely access to medical professionals, cater to various conditions, and serve as a cost-effective alternative to emergency room visits.
Which is more important urgent or emergency? ›
Unless a condition is life-threatening, a trip to urgent care is generally a better use of a patient's time and resources to treat injuries, fevers, infections and other ailments. Urgent care centers often have far shorter wait times than the ER and cost less than a traditional hospital emergency room visit.
Why do so many people go to urgent care? ›
Urgent cares usually offer medical treatment outside of regular doctor's office hours and a visit costs much less than a trip to the emergency room.
Why do urgent cares take so long? ›
Patient Volume: The influx of patients seeking care can significantly sway wait times. Surges in acute illnesses, often due to seasonal changes or health crises, can burden ERs and urgent care centers. Staffing: The ratio of healthcare providers to patients is a linchpin in wait time dynamics.
What are some disadvantages of urgent care? ›
Con: Potential deferral to a hospital
Although urgent care and retail clinics are notoriously convenient, they do run the risk of making healthcare more complicated. For example, a patient may visit an urgent care facility only to be referred to an emergency department or hospital.
Who uses urgent care the most? ›
women, non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to have one or more urgent care center or retail health clinic visits than Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, or non-Hispanic Asian adults. retail health clinic utilization increased with increasing education level.
Why do girls go to urgent care? ›
One of the most common reasons women may seek emergency care is due to gynecological emergencies such as severe pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding or complications related to pregnancy. These issues can be alarming and warrant immediate medical attention if the issue persists or is out of the ordinary for you.
What are the best times to go to urgent care? ›
Evening or weekends may be best for those with busy day jobs, while during the day may work better for those with kids in school. Consider your schedule when deciding the most convenient time to visit urgent care.
Why are urgent cares so cold? ›
A cooler ambient temperature can provide a subtle form of fever management, aiding in patient comfort and recovery. It also ensures that those in the waiting areas or in shock receive care in an environment that helps manage their body temperature.
What is the meaning of urgent care? ›
Care for an illness, injury or condition serious enough that a reasonable person would seek care right away, but not so severe it requires emergency room care.
If the injury or illness is life-threatening or could cause permanent disability, go to the ER. The emergency department is where you will get care for severe illnesses and injuries. If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 911 so first responders can provide care right away.
What is an urgent care facility an example of? ›
Final answer: An urgent care facility is an example of a clinic or satellite center. They provide immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
What are responsibility centers in healthcare? ›
Responsibility centers can be subdivided into two categories: those that generate revenue as a result of serving patients, and those that do not. Those that do generate revenue and incur costs from patient care are known as profit centers. Cost centers, on the other hand, are overhead departments that only incur costs.
One of the most significant challenges currently facing the American healthcare system is a shortage of primary care physicians. In fact, in a 2016 survey conducted by National Public Radio (NPR), one in five respondents indicated that they had been unable to see their primary care physician in the last two years because of lack of available appointment times. A challenge the healthcare system has been working to overcome is having skilled medical professionals available to provide service and treatment in a fast, affordable, and convenient manner. For this reason and others, the Urgent Care Medicine delivery model has strongly resonated with the American public.