When Should I Go to Urgent Care?

At Family Medicine Healthcare, we understand the importance of urgent care centers in providing immediate care for non-life-threatening health issues. Our clinic is designed to offer immediate relief for both acute and chronic conditions, mirroring the key functions of traditional urgent care centers.
 
Like these centers, one of the most common reasons our patients visit us is for respiratory conditions. Our team is experienced in treating conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, and even the common cold or flu. We also manage chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, or hypertension, which can lead to urgent visits when patients experience unexpected flare-ups or symptom exacerbations.

Our clinic is equipped to handle minor injuries and physical traumas like fractures, sprains, cuts, and burns that need prompt attention. Our timely intervention can help minimize complications and promote healing.

Digestive problems, such as fever, cough, sore throat or gastrointestinal distress, as well as conditions like food poisoning, gastritis, and gallstones, frequently bring people to Family Medicine Healthcare. We strive to provide quick relief for severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and other distressing symptoms.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections, and other common infections are also routinely treated at our clinic. Our providers can prescribe antibiotics or other medications and provide guidance on proper hygiene practices to prevent complications.

We also handle skin conditions such as rashes, allergic reactions, and infections. In addition to physical health issues, Family Medicine Healthcare plays a crucial role in providing timely care for mental health emergencies. Our compassionate team can provide initial stabilization, assess the severity of symptoms, and refer patients to appropriate mental health professionals for ongoing care.

Lastly, our patients often visit us for routine healthcare services that they cannot wait for a regular doctor’s appointment for, such as vaccinations, routine physicals, or prescription refills. We strive to make these services convenient and readily available at our clinic, providing a comprehensive healthcare solution for our community.

At Family Medicine Healthcare, we understand the value and importance of urgent care clinics in the overall healthcare system. Their extended operational hours and shorter wait times resonate with our commitment to providing timely and convenient medical care to our patients. Just like many urgent care clinics, our office is open into the late evenings and on weekends to provide medical care when traditional doctor’s offices are closed.

Urgent care clinics often offer a broad range of services, which is a philosophy we share at Family Medicine Healthcare. Our team is prepared to manage a variety of non-life-threatening conditions, from acute illnesses like colds and flu to minor injuries like sprains and cuts. We provide diagnostic services like x-rays and laboratory tests, medication prescriptions, immunizations, and routine physicals. We can serve as a one-stop shop for many patients’ healthcare needs because of our extensive range of services, eliminating the need for multiple appointments at different facilities.

Similar to urgent care clinics, our staff at Family Medicine Healthcare consists of board-certified physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who have specialized training in treating urgent medical conditions. We believe in providing personalized care where our doctors spend time getting to know their patients’ needs and creating individualized treatment regimens.

Like urgent care clinics, we also understand the significance of cost-effectiveness. We aim to keep our treatment costs as low as possible, and we accept a variety of insurance plans. We strive to offer transparent pricing for uninsured or self-paying patients, making healthcare more affordable for all.

Our location is easily accessible, ensuring our patients don’t have to travel long distances for medical care. We believe in providing peace of mind by offering prompt and reliable medical attention for non-emergency situations, bridging the distance between emergency rooms in hospitals and primary care physicians.

In essence, Family Medicine Healthcare shares the same commitment to accessible, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare services as an urgent care clinic. We offer a broad range of services and personalized care, making us an invaluable resource for patients in our community and beyond.

At Family Medicine Healthcare, we understand the need for appropriate medical attention when dealing with minor illnesses such as colds, flu, minor cuts, sprains, non-severe burns or minor injuries.

Our team of passionate experts is committed to giving you prompt care to avoid complications.

Self-Care Measures

Family Medicine Healthcare promotes the importance of self-care measures for non-emergency situations and mild symptoms. We can guide you on rest, over-the-counter medications, and appropriate home treatments that can provide relief and aid in recovery.

Primary Care Physicians at Family Medicine Healthcare

Initially, you will communicate with our primary care physicians for managing your overall health and providing preventive care. They are adept at the diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries. With access to your medical history, they can provide personalized treatment plans. When you establish an ongoing relationship with us, we become your ideal choice for care during minor illnesses.

Urgent Care Services at Family Medicine Healthcare

Family Medicine Healthcare understands that you may need immediate attention even if you can’t get an appointment with your primary care physician. Our urgent care clinic offers walk-in services for non-emergency illnesses and injuries. We’re staffed by trained medical professionals who can provide immediate care for a wide range of minor illnesses, frequently with shorter wait times than ERs at hospitals.

Retail Health Clinics

Our clinic also offers basic medical services for minor illnesses and injuries in a convenient location. Our staff, including nurses and physician assistants, can provide effective treatment for conditions such as colds, flu, minor cuts and burns, sore throats, and sprains. We can also offer guidance on over-the-counter treatments for common illnesses like allergies or colds.

Keep in mind to always seek advice from a healthcare professional when in doubt. At Family Medicine Healthcare, we are committed to providing you with the most appropriate and effective healthcare setting for your minor illnesses.

Urgent Care Physician

Urgent care physicians like those found in clinics and hospitals are crucial for treating non-life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention. At Family Medicine Healthcare, we also provide urgent care services to treat a variety of non-life-threatening concerns.

Primary Care Physician

As primary care providers, Family Medicine Healthcare physicians serve as the first point of contact for patients seeking ongoing medical care. Our doctors focus on overall health maintenance, disease prevention, and the treatment of common illnesses. We manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.

Emergency Medicine Physician

Emergency medicine physicians specialize in managing life-threatening or severely acute medical conditions. While Family Medicine Healthcare does not have an emergency room, we understand the vital role these professionals play in the healthcare system and will always refer or facilitate transfer to an emergency department for conditions outside our scope of practice.

Key Differences

While we are primary care providers, we understand the importance of the different roles in healthcare. Urgent care physicians provide immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions. Primary care physicians, like us, deliver long-term, comprehensive healthcare services, including screenings, vaccinations, lifestyle counseling, and management of chronic conditions. Emergency medicine physicians, on the other hand, exclusively manage life-threatening emergencies.

When to Seek Care

At Family Medicine Healthcare, we are dedicated to helping our patients understand when to seek the appropriate type of medical attention. We can assist with continuing medical care and the management of chronic illnesses. However, for non-life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention, an urgent care clinic is the best option. And, in the case of a life-threatening emergency such as a heart attack or severe injury, immediate care at an emergency department is necessary. For more information, please contact us today or simply book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 3925 Portsmouth Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321. We serve patients from Chesapeake VA, Portsmouth VA, Norfolk VA, Suffolk VA, Virginia Beach VA, and Hampton VA.