The pandemic brought about many changes, but a few proved beneficial for many. Telehealth visits are one of the best benefits. It takes the benefits of a home doctor visit, but makes it virtual. You don’t go to a germ-filled waiting room where you’re exposed to sick people dealing with everything from COVID-19 to the flu and RSV to viral pneumonia.
A recent study of physicians found that 15.8% reported using audio-only or video telehealth visits for at least 20% of their weekly appointments. In 2018, only 25.1% of physicians used telehealth in their offices. Six years later, over 74% offered telehealth appointments.
Urgent care practices also offer telehealth visits. It’s often appropriate for some health issues, but it’s not ideal for all of them. When do you know whether to go in person or for a virtual urgent care appointment?
What Can Virtual Urgent Care “See” and Treat?
Arrange a virtual urgent care visit when you have or need the following:
- Confirmed or Suspected Virus: Most viruses are good reasons to schedule a virtual urgent care visit. If you think you have a chest cold, flu, or COVID-19, a telehealth appointment is a good place to start. Your doctor can advise you on what to do until you start feeling better. Home tests for flu and COVID-19 confirm you have it so that the virtual doctor can prescribe antiviral medications.
- Cough: You’ve been coughing for weeks and want reassurance that the cough isn’t a sign of something like bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Ear Infection: Your child has an ear infection, but the eardrum ruptured because it’s now oozing mucus and pus from the ear canal. Show the doctor the ear and discharge to learn what to do next. Antibiotics may now be recommended.
- Pink Eye: Your child woke up with a red, crusty eye. It’s not your first round with pink eye, but you need the prescription to start treating the infection. You can show your child’s eye to the doctor during a telehealth visit.
- Prescription Refills: You realize you’re almost out of your birth control or other daily medications. Instead of seeing the doctor in person, you can show the packaging for your current prescription and get a refill to cover you until your doctor can see you.
- Skin Rash: Many skin rashes can be diagnosed via a virtual doctor visit, and a cream or care instructions are given during the chat. This includes rashes like eczema, hives, minor burns, and poison ivy.
When Is In-Person Essential?
Wait times for in-person urgent care are often longer than urgent care telehealth visits. That doesn’t mean that virtual visits are always best. In-person visits are essential when an EKG, lab tests (blood or urine), or X-rays are necessary.
You should always go to your nearest urgent care when you have:
- Abdominal pain
- Abscess
- Animal or insect bites
- Back pain
- Deep cuts that need stitches and/or debridement
- Heartburn
- Minor bone break
- Puncture wounds
- Severe nosebleed
- Sprained an ankle, wrist, etc.
- Suspected STD
Health Issues Where It’s a Toss-Up
What if you’re on the fence? You were walking outside and fell on uneven pavement or lawn. Your ankle hurts, but you can walk on it. You’re torn between going to urgent care in person and using telehealth.
A good rule of thumb is to ask the following questions and let your answers determine the best way to see an urgent care doctor.
Do you need stitches, a shot, a blood draw, a splint, or a cast?
- Yes – In-person
- No – Telehealth
For a possible strain or sprain, is there bruising and/or swelling?
- Yes – In-person
- No – Telehealth
If you suspect a UTI, do you have back pain?
- Yes – In-person (Men should go in person for any suspected UTI.)
- No – Telehealth
Is the injury or issue visible?
- Yes – Telehealth
- No – In-person
Is the child (patient) acting lethargic and hard to wake up?
- Yes – In-person
- No – Telehealth
Is the patient an infant?
- Yes – In-person
- No – Telehealth
Is this a worsening or returning infection or virus?
- Yes – In-person
- No – Telehealth
You can also schedule a telehealth visit, where the doctor or nurse assesses your illness, infection, or injury remotely. If they think you need to come in person, you’ll be advised accordingly.
When Should You Skip Urgent Care and Go to the ER?
Always go straight to the ER if you’re experiencing any of the following.
- Alcohol or drug overdose
- An allergic reaction that blocks your airways
- Broken bone with loss of mobility or bone showing through or at the surface of the skin
- Chest pain and a suspected heart attack
- Continued bleeding
- Coughing up blood
- Deep cuts
- Dizziness that doesn’t ease
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, inhalants, or smoke
- A fever that doesn’t go down after taking medication
- Intense headache with a stiff neck
- Poisoning
- Seizure
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe burns
- Severe depression, thoughts of suicide
- Sudden inability to move or speak
What to Expect During a Virtual Urgent Care Visit
Check with your insurance company as well. Some encourage you to visit urgent care instead of the ER or to see your primary care physician during the weekend if that’s an option. Your insurance provider may also have a toll-free number you can call to speak with a nurse for advice on where to go.
If you decide on a telehealth visit, you fill out a form and submit it. When the doctor is available to talk to you, you’re sent a link for a video call via email or SMS, depending on which option you checked.
When you get that email or text message, click the link. The guide walks you through the rest of the visit. Make sure you have the volume up, that you’re not muted, and that you’re in a quiet location free of distractions.
The doctor may ask you to move your camera to show what is bothering you. If you have a skin rash and you’re not sure if it’s worth an urgent care visit, show it on camera. If you have a fever, show the doctor the reading on your thermometer. You may be asked to cough to determine if your cough is dry and hoarse or productive, coughing up mucus.
If you’re asked a question you don’t understand, ask for clarification. It’s better to ask for something to be repeated than to miss an important detail or instruction.
Premium Urgent Care makes everything a bit easier by having weekend hours and urgent care telehealth options. If you do have to go in person, use our online check-in to get onto the list and avoid having to sit in the waiting room before it’s your turn to see one of the doctors.