It can be difficult to book an appointment with a doctor, especially if you don’t have a family physician. You may not know where to start or what kind of physician you need to see. In this blog post physician Dr. Samuel Bride will help guide you through the process of booking your very first appointment.
When To Visit An Urgent Care Medicine Physician?
There are many reasons why you may need to visit an Urgent Care Medicine physician. Some common reasons include:
- You have a fever, and it won’t go down with over-the-counter medication.
- You have severe chest pain or shortness of breath.
- You have cuts that are deep or gushing blood.
- You have (suspected) broken bones.
- You have uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.
- You have been bitten by an animal.
If you are unsure if your symptoms warrant a visit to an Urgent Care Medicine physician, you can always call ahead to speak to a nurse or the receptionist. They will be able to help guide you through the decision process.
Booking Your Appointment
Once you’ve decided that you need to see an Urgent Care Medicine physician, the next step is booking your appointment. You can do this a few different ways depending on the clinic that you choose. Some clinics offer online booking, where you can select a day and time that works best for you. Other clinics require that you call in and book your appointment over the phone. When calling, be sure to have your health card information ready, as well as any paperwork that may be required by the clinic (i.e., new patient forms). The receptionist will likely ask for some basic information about your symptoms in order to book you with the appropriate physician.
What To Expect At Your Appointment?
When you arrive at the clinic for your appointment, you will check in at reception and then be seen by a triage nurse. The triage nurse will ask more detailed questions about your symptoms and vital signs. They will also determine how urgent your case is and if you need to see a physician right away or if you can wait in the waiting room for a short period of time. Once you are seen by the physician, they will ask more questions about your symptoms and may order some tests (blood work, X-rays, etc.). Based on their assessment, they will give you a diagnosis and treat your symptoms accordingly, or they may refer you to another specialist if they feel it is necessary.
After Your Appointment
After your appointment, you will be given any instructions that you need to follow (i.e., take this medication three times a day for five days). The physician may also schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your progress. If you have any questions or concerns after your appointment, you can always call the clinic and speak to a staff member.
Conclusion
We hope that this blog post has helped guide you through the process of booking an appointment with an Urgent Care Medicine physician! Remember, if you are ever unsure about whether or not you need to see a doctor, don’t hesitate to call ahead and speak to someone at the clinic. They will be more than happy to help answer any questions that you may have.
