How to Be a Good Patient 101

Different types of health care facilities are better at managing different things. It is important to go to the right place for the type of care you need. Going to the wrong type of doctor for your condition can cost you time, money, or even your life. If you’re ever not sure where to go, most health care facilities have nursing staff that can help you decide. 

· Emergency Care: If you or a family member are having serious or severe symptoms or pain, the average urgent care or primary care office is not the best place to go. They do not have the equipment or staff to manage true life threatening emergencies. Going there instead of the ER costs precious time that can be the difference between life and death. If you or a family member are having severe symptoms like trouble breathing, chest pain, stroke symptoms, passing out or confusion, call 911 to get an ambulance. Ambulance personnel can be working on you even before you get to the hospital and they often save lives. No one really wants to believe their condition is that serious, and no one likes going to the ER, but if you, family members or friends think you need to go to the ER, you should just go. 

· Routine Care or Ongoing Conditions: If you’ve had the same conditions or symptoms for months or years, it is best to see a primary care doctor. If no one has been able to figure out what’s causing your symptoms, it’s probably something complicated and it will take a series of visits with the same doctor or with a specialist to perform the correct tests and monitor treatments to make sure you are improving. It is best not to go to the ER or to an urgent care center for these types of conditions because you will likely see a different doctor each time. The ER will make sure you are not dying and they may give you something to manage your symptoms, but they are not likely to give you exact answers in this circumstance.

· Acute Care: If you think you have a simple condition like a sinus infection, the flu, bronchitis, a urinary tract infection, or a minor injury, telemedicine services, urgent care centers or your primary care office is the perfect place to have these conditions treated. Most urgent care centers can administer IV fluids and splint simple fractures as well. It is best not to go for the ER for these simple conditions. Not only is it more expensive and time consuming, but you can also cause a delay in care for seriously ill people who actually need to be in the ER. (See above.)

· Specialty Care: If you have been directed to see a specialist, you should go. Even though specialists often cost a little more. They have a different skill set than your primary care doctor, and when you have a complex condition, it is important to have specialty care. If you have a rare condition, large university hospitals or specialty hospitals such as the Mayo clinic may be necessary to get answers and the most up to date treatment.

· Mental Health: If you are feeling stressed or like you might be having a nervous breakdown or if you’re just having trouble coping with day-to-day life, see a mental health specialist. It is not a sign of weakness. It’s not just for “crazy people”. Mental health specialists help you keep your sanity and peace and they can help you be your best. Maintaining your mental health is just as important as your physical health. People often suffer a lot of unnecessary relationship problems, behavioral problems and suffering because they are too ashamed to get the help they need. You can seek mental health services locally or via telemedicine as well.

· Telehealth: There are telemedicine doctors available online that you can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a cell phone app or on your computer from the convenience of your home, car, or work place. They can provide medical care for simple conditions. They can even order many types of labs. A visit typically takes about 15 minutes and costs $75 or less depending on your insurance carrier. My favorite telemedicine company, of course, is the one I work for, *Doctor on Demand, but there are many others and they are only a Google search away.

Any questions? Ask Dr. Walker

*All views expressed are those of the blogger/poster and have not been reviewed or approved by Doctor on Demand