READ MORE FROM OUR “PRIMARY PROBLEM” FEATURE HERE
Not feeling well? Try calling your primary care clinic or insurance company. “If you have an acute symptom, you can talk to a nurse who will go through a triage process with you to determine the right level of care,” says Dr. Mark Lodes of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. A medical pro is the most reliable resource for pinpointing the best health care strategy, but understanding how levels of care function can also help you make a better decision in a pinch.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Primary Care
If you have a bothersome symptom that’s probably not life-threatening – suspected flu, a weird rash or a chronic illness flare-up – it’s worth trying to get in with your PCP if you have one. “Most clinics tend to save appointments during the day for acute issues,” says Dr. Niel Johnson, a family care provider with Aurora Health Care.
Urgent Care
If you can’t see your PCP, urgent care clinics are a good in-between for minor illnesses and injuries that need immediate care but aren’t life-threatening, says Johnson. Most urgent care facilities are equipped with imaging, such as X-rays and ultrasounds, and can test for common infections like COVID, strep and UTIs. If your issue is complex or dangerous, an urgent care provider may tell you to go to the emergency room.
Emergency Room
The highest tier of acute care, the emergency room is the best place for anything that’s potentially life-threatening (think suspected cardiac events or serious injuries). And if you’re not sure where to go, there’s nothing wrong with visiting the ER to be safe. “If you really think there’s a threat to your health or you’re scared or have unreasonable pain, go to the emergency room,” says Johnson. “If it turns out to be minor, it’s an easy fix, but if it’s something bad, you’re in the right place the first time.”
