If you’re unsure where to go when you’re sick or injured, you aren’t alone. It can be difficult to know whether you should call your primary care provider, head to an urgent care center, or visit the emergency room.
Choosing the right setting for your condition is important, as it saves you time spent in a waiting room and ensures that emergency resources are available for those who truly need them.
To be clear: you should not think twice about visiting your local emergency room if you feel that you are in need of immediate and serious care. But if you are experiencing a less serious medical situation, other options may be better for you.
Your primary care provider should be your first point of contact in a non-emergent situation. Compared to emergency or urgent care settings, primary care often requires you to pay less out-of-pocket and spend less time in a waiting room, and you might even be able to schedule a telehealth appointment from the comfort of home.
Most importantly, your primary care team knows you—and your medical history—the best, and can more effectively diagnose and treat you for concerns such as:
- Cold, flu, and sore throat
- Ear, sinus, or urinary tract infections
- Headaches and muscle pains
- Stomach pains, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
- Minor scrapes or bruises
Your primary care provider can also help you manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If you require further care not offered in the primary care setting, your provider can refer you to a specialist.
Urgent care is a convenient, cost-efficient alternative for when you’re experiencing the symptoms listed in the previous section and can’t visit your primary care provider.
Urgent care centers can also provide convenient diagnostic testing (including COVID-19 testing if you are asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms) and help you with other non-emergent injuries, such as:
- Sprains
- Minor animal bites or stings
- Minor cuts or burns
- Dehydration
- Pink eye
- Rashes or other skin issues
- Primary care concerns (if unable to see primary care provider)
Emergency departments will see any patient in need of care, but they are designed to handle severe illnesses and injuries that can’t be addressed in the primary or urgent care setting. Going elsewhere when appropriate saves you time and ensures that patients with true emergencies get the care they need, when they need it.
That said, you should not hesitate to call 911 or visit an emergency department if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Serious burns, cuts, or lacerations
- Broken bones or dislocated joints
- Fainting, changes in mental state, or slurred speech
- Head or eye injuries
- Weakness and/or numbness on one side
You should also visit the emergency department if another provider instructs you to do so, or if it’s your only option at the current time and location.
This information is brought to you by the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Associaiton.
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) serves as the unified voice for Massachusetts hospitals and healthcare providers. Founded in 1936, MHA represents over 100 hospitals, healthcare partners, and patients across the state. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, MHA’s mission is to improve the overall health of the commonwealth and support providers’ efforts to offer high-quality, affordable, and accessible care.