When a health issue arises, choosing the appropriate level of care can save time and ensure you receive the treatment you need. Knowing where to go can also make a critical difference in both outcomes and cost.
That’s why Madhumita Banga, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician in the Department of Family Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) in Webster, emphasizes the importance of everyone having a primary care physician, or PCP.
“Everyone needs a PCP, not just those with existing medical conditions,” Banga said. “Regular preventive care is essential. This includes an annual physical examination, as well as routine checks of blood pressure, blood sugar, and other key health indicators. Even if you feel completely well, these evaluations remain important.”
Primary care is the starting point for managing health, and the relationship between doctor and patient is pivotal. That connection helps patients better understand their health and make informed decisions when medical concerns arise.
“If you have an acute issue — like a bad sore throat, urinary infection, or something similar — and it’s not possible to get an appointment with your PCP quickly enough, then urgent care may be the right choice,” Banga said. “The word ‘urgent’ can make these centers seem suited only for more serious conditions, but they generally treat issues that can’t wait for a scheduled visit or occur after regular office hours.”
Urgent care, Banga noted, is like an extension of primary care for acute conditions.
“It’s also an option for issues like sprains or other minor injuries that may require stitches or an X-ray,” she explained. “It’s an appropriate place to go to seek care for a rash, ear infection, fever, or even food poisoning. However, both primary care and urgent care clinics will triage patients and send them to an emergency room in certain situations.”
If you wake up with the worst headache you’ve ever had or experience chest pain, Banga advises going directly to the emergency room, where providers are equipped to handle serious or life-threatening conditions.
“Those symptoms could require a CT scan, an MRI, or specialized bloodwork, and those may not be available in a clinic setting,” Banga said. “If you’re in serious pain, don’t wait. Go directly to the emergency room.”
The best way to reduce the need for urgent or emergency care is to maintain a regular schedule of visits with a primary care physician.
“People tell me they never go to the doctor because they don’t have any problems, but they don’t realize many conditions go undetected until screening,” she said. “Preventive care can help keep a problem from becoming a disabling condition over time.”
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