Can Urgent Care be Primary Care?

man at emergency room counter talking to female nurse.

When you or a loved one is involved in an accident or is feeling under the weather, it is important that you find the best care possible to get back on the road to recovery. It can be difficult in the moment, however, to know the right place to seek medical care.

Primary and Urgent Care: What is the Difference?

While there is some overlap, urgent care and primary care offices each have their strengths and specific conditions and ailments they treat. Primary care offers comprehensive, long term treatment, while urgent care is there when you need immediate treatment. Read on to discover the differences between the two and which you should choose should you fall ill.

Primary Care

A primary care physician can be considered your main doctor. They are specialized physicians who focus on comprehensive care, including:

  • Health promotion
  • Disease prevention
  • Counseling
  • Health maintenance
  • Patient advocacy
  • Treatment of acute and chronic illnesses

Primary care physicians know your medical history and are there for long-term education and support as they have time to get to know you. They can also help with nutrition and stress management.

Why Do I Need Primary Care?

No matter your age or medical history, you should develop a relationship with a primary care physician you trust. These physicians will see you for annual checkups and help you create an overall health management and prevention plan that will keep you feeling great for years to come.

You may feel as though your health is in great condition now, but keeping up with regular doctor visits will help make sure it stays that way!

When Should I Go To Primary Care?

Primary care physicians are best suited for long-term care and non-emergencies. Here are just some of the ailments they treat:

  • Respiratory infections
  • Headaches
  • Back pain
  • Urinary infections
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Urgent Care

As their name suggests, an urgent care office handles urgent health issues. These same-day clinics typically offer services on weekends and holidays and are a great resource for those who have suffered an injury or ailment and are in need of immediate care. Some clinics even offer virtual visits for more convenient and quick care.

When Do I Need Urgent Care?

While each urgent care office is different, Urgentology Care offers care for a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:

  • Joint pain
  • Allergies
  • Bites, stings, and burns
  • Migraines
  • Wounds
  • Mononucleosis
  • STDs
  • Stomach flu
  • Strep throat
  • Tonsillitis
  • UTI’s
  • Pap Smears
  • Food poisoning
  • Swollen glands
  • Sinusitis

Click here for a full list of our services. Our clinic is also offering Covid-19 testing and vaccinations at this time.

Why You Need Both Primary and Urgent Care

While it is important to have a primary care physician in control of your overall health, urgent care clinics like Urgentology Care have great supplementary medical care teams that can treat the whole family. We are proud to have state-of-the-art facilities with advanced medical tools, a family friendly environment, minimal wait times, and accept a wide range of insurance.

From allergy treatments to joint injection therapy to school and sport physicals, our team is equipped to get your family feeling their best once again in a timely manner.

Our clinic accepts walk-ins every day, however if you feel more comfortable making a same-day or future appointment, you can do so on our website.

Urgent Care Services in Arlington

If you are in need of urgent medical attention, our team at Urgentology Care is here to help. Stop in today for a walk-in appointment, or call to make an appointment. (817) 799-7273