Recently Urgent care centers have popped up around Lakewood. Mostly since Obamacare took off requirements of only going to your primary doctor. Additionally, its not easy getting a appointment in Lakewood with a Doctor or pediatrician right away. Many practices now have full time PA's who see lots of the patients. Urgent care does not replace your primary care physician. An urgent care center is a convenient option when someone's regular physician is on vacation or unable to offer a timely appointment. Or, when illness strikes outside of regular office hours, urgent care offers an alternative to waiting for hours in a hospital Emergency Room. One thing to factor in, is the information from your visit to an urgent care center may not be shared with your primary care doctor if they are not affiliated.
Lets say you go for throat cultures to an urgent care center, that medical history of Strep will not be shared with your doc if there is no affiliation. You will have to relay that info yourself. Experts say it's best to use an urgent care center that's affiliated with a hospital. That way, it can share records if you have to go to the hospital after all. Experts say people with underlying conditions including diabetes and cancer, should always seek treatment at a hospital.
Lets say you go for throat cultures to an urgent care center, that medical history of Strep will not be shared with your doc if there is no affiliation. You will have to relay that info yourself. Experts say it's best to use an urgent care center that's affiliated with a hospital. That way, it can share records if you have to go to the hospital after all. Experts say people with underlying conditions including diabetes and cancer, should always seek treatment at a hospital.