Urgent Care vs. Primary Care: What You Need to Know

Medical specialization is becoming more and more common these days, and because of that, it’s not always easy to find ordinary, everyday healthcare. Your best bets are finding a primary care doctor, an urgent care facility, or a practice that serves both needs.

At First Care Medical Clinic, with locations in North and South Carolina, we offer both primary and urgent care services for your entire family. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic disease like diabetes or a sudden virus, our team will ensure that you get the medical attention you deserve.

Here’s what you can expect to find under our primary and urgent care services.

What is primary care?

To put it simply, primary care physicians are typically the first point of contact and coordinate with other specialists when needed. Our physicians are trained to expertly diagnose the most common health conditions. With that said, a primary care provider’s role doesn’t stop with a diagnosis. They continue to take charge of your care from beginning to end, providing continuing support.

If you walk into our clinic with shortness of breath, a primary care physician will review your symptoms, run critical tests, and work to diagnose the problem. Once they have a clear idea of what may be causing your shortness of breath, they’ll point you toward the right provider for specialized care. Then, they’ll work with that provider to manage your condition and hopefully, resolve the issue.

Preventive care is another key component of primary care. From annual physicals and wellness exams to immunizations and vaccines, we offer many ways to keep you healthy long-term. Through expert oversight and preventive care, our team makes sure you have the tools you need to keep your family in good health.

What is urgent care?

While our primary focus is often preventative, there are occasions when you need immediate medical attention, which is why we also offer urgent care. This type of care is for everyday emergencies. Patients typically go to urgent care when they need assistance ASAP and can’t wait for a scheduled appointment. 

Here are some instances where you might need urgent care:

  • Asthma or hives
  • Lacerations
  • Burns
  • Fractures and sprains
  • Cold and flu
  • Fever
  • Upset stomach
  • Infections

This is not an exhaustive list, but it should give you an idea of the types of problems we handle through our urgent care services.

The important thing about urgent care is you don’t have to make an appointment. You can walk into any of our clinics in North or South Carolina and receive the care you need.

If you’re not sure whether you need primary or urgent care, please contact any of our offices to speak with our team or schedule an appointment. Whether your need is urgent or preventative, we’ll give you the best care around!

Get In Touch

The professionals at First Care Medical Clinic are here to provide the best medical care for you and your family. Contact us at our onsite care in NC today to learn more about our services.