With the start of the new school year, students and parents alike have so many questions. Especially when it comes to new not from the area, people don’t know the city around them and where to go in certain situations. This is especially true for situations regarding you or your child’s health. Where is Student Health Services? Can they treat me in any medical situation? Should I go to the Hospital? What Medical Center do I go to? myDoc is here to help answer some of these questions. myDoc is an Urgent Care Center, and a great option for your medical needs.
The first question we want to answer is, what is Urgent Care, and how is it different from Student Health, the ER, or even your Primary Care Physician. With these three other alternatives for your school Student Health, you may be wondering which is the best option for you. Here is a brief rundown of the benefits and downsides of each of the Student Health alternatives.
Emergency rooms are medical treatment facilities located at the hospital that specialize in emergency medicine, and are designed for patients that present with illnesses or medical problems that need immediate attention. Most ERs are open 24/7 and will treat you without appointment. However, they are also very expensive. The average price that will be charged is $1,300, plus the cost of an ambulance ride if necessary ($400-1,200). They also often have very long wait times, and unless you are in serious condition, you probably will have to wait a good period of time before treatment.
Primary care health centers focus on care at a basic rather than specialized level for people making an initial approach to a doctor or nurse for treatment. These are the doctors that you see each year for your check up, or that you might go to for your physical examination needs. Appointments are usually required at primary care physicians, and if you go to school or work far from home, there is a good chance your primary care physician is not even located near you.
Lastly is Urgent Care, the most versatile option, and best alternative to Student Health Services. Urgent Care centers are setup to assist patients with an illness or injury that does not appear to be life –threatening, but also can’t wait until the next day or when for their Primary Care doctor can schedule them. They also act as a great alternative when your Primary Care office is closed, or maybe the ER is too far and out of the way for you. They have more equipment than your primary care physician’s office and most Student Health centers, there is no need for an appointment unlike primary care and Student health, they handle a range of procedures, and are more convenient and cheaper than emergency rooms. The base price of a visit is added to the cost of extra services, such as x-rays, injections, medications, and casting bones.
Urgent Care’s like us at myDoc can also handle many procedures and examinations you may need for school. myDoc can provide you with any shots and vaccinations you may need for school or work. We also offer any physical examinations that you may need for sports, and even perform work specific exams as well. STD testing or annual wellness check-ups are also options.
People come to Urgent Cares for many of the medical needs. Some examples conditions that individuals come to urgent care for include:
- Accidents and falls
- Sprains and strains
- Moderate back problems
- Breathing difficulties (i.e. mild to moderate asthma)
- Bleeding/cuts — not bleeding a lot but requiring stitches
- Diagnostic services, including X-rays and laboratory tests
- Eye irritation and redness
- Fever or flu
- Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration
- Severe sore throat or cough
- Minor broken bones and fractures (i.e. fingers, toes)
- Skin rashes and infections
- Urinary tract infections
For many patients, Urgent Care centers are the main place to go for care. If you are ever in doubt about where you should be treated, feel free to call the myDoc office and we will help offer guidance and advice, or just walk-in!
