Five Ways to Get the Most out of your Emergency Medical Care

Many people would describe their most recent visit to the emergency care room as hectic, confusing, and busy. Emergency room doctors are often required to see many patients, all day long. Each patient might not feel like they get the most dedicated of medical care. These tips will ensure that you get everything you need and desire out of your emergency medical care visit.

Ask a lot of questions
Emergency room doctors have many patients on their mind at any given hour of the workday. For this reason, they might forget to share necessary information or medical information with you. However, this does not mean that you cannot ask them questions. If you are still confused or have further questions about your medical care, make sure you ask them. Ask the doctors about your medical condition, test results, and even your follow up care. You can also ask questions of your medical team members including the nurse, outpatient specialist, or the billing professional.

Follow the emergency room doctors orders
Emergency and urgent medical care are about immediate relief, not long term solutions. If you sought medical help at a local urgent care center, it is likely that one of your symptoms became unmanageable. Follow the emergency room doctor?s medical orders and focus on long term solutions later. In most cases, your emergency clinic physician will suggest that you follow up with a specialist to seek a diagnosis or better and more inclusive treatment plan.

Pay attention to doctors ratings
You might not have the ability to check your emergency room doctor?s ratings upon being rushed to the emergency department. However, you can seek local doctor?s ratings for your after hours urgent care center. Most physicians are rated on their bedside manner, the speed of service, and medical care knowledge. To avoid having to choose a physician during a medical emergency, it can be useful to do this research ahead of time.

Know the difference between emergency and urgent care
Every year, many patients will head to their local emergency department for a medical condition that could have been treated at a local urgent care center. Not only are urgent care centers more convenient, affordable, and faster, they also free up emergency room beds for true medical emergencies. Consider your emergency medical care needs before heading to the nearest emergency department. For minor medical conditions, like cold and flu symptoms, sprained or twisted ankles, and lower back pain, these conditions can usually be evaluated and treated at an urgent care center. About 85% of urgent care centers are open seven days a week, making them almost as convenient as emergency departments.

Follow up with your physicians
A lot of patients choose to never follow up with their physician. Emergency and urgent medical care are not meant to be a solution. Instead, it is a temporary medical treatment. The emergency room doctor will usually provide you with a referral. This might be a medical follow up with your primary physician, a physician specialist, or with a physical therapist. In a study, total medical costs for low back pain were $2,736.23 lower for patients receiving early physical therapy. At least 40% of people suffering from long term low back pain do not see a doctor or physical therapist. Always follow your emergency room doctor?s instructions and follow up for additional medical care.

A lot of patients claim to be dissatisfied with their emergency medical care. The medical care that you receive in an emergency department is often rushed and noninclusive. The patient is one of the most important parts of the medical care and you should always ask lots of questions, do your research before choosing a physician, and always follow up for additional medical care.