When you’re not feeling well, one of the first decisions you face is where to get medical attention. Should you wait for an appointment with your primary care doctor, head to the emergency department, or choose another option?
Lee Health family medicine physician Jordan Reid, M.D., offers valuable insight into when Lee Health Convenient Care may be your best choice.
With five locations from Cape Coral to Bonita Springs, Lee Health Convenient Care provides walk-in care seven days a week, with extended hours beyond a primary care physician’s office.
“Convenient Care medical centers are ideal for people who can’t get in to see their primary care physician or who need treatment for something more urgent,” Dr. Reid says.
Visits are designed to offer great care without a long wait. These offices are staffed by physicians and advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and offer on-site services such as X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and point-of-care lab testing.
Convenient Care is an ideal alternative to the emergency department for non-life-threatening medical issues.
Dr. Reid offers a simple rule of thumb: if it’s something your primary care provider could normally treat, but you can’t get in quickly enough or it feels more urgent, Convenient Care is often the right choice.
Common conditions treated include:
On-site testing also helps teams quickly evaluate suspected fractures, perform EKGs when symptoms appear lower risk, and provide immediate testing for strep throat, influenza, and COVID-19.
Key benefits include:
Dr. Reid stresses that while Convenient Care is a valuable option, it should not replace having a primary care provider.
“Your primary care doctor knows your medical history, how you respond to treatment, and can provide the ongoing care needed for chronic conditions,” he says. “That continuity is invaluable.”
For non-life-threatening conditions that need prompt attention, Lee Health Convenient Care offers a fast, affordable, and comprehensive alternative to emergency department visits, while ensuring you receive appropriate medical care when and where you need it most.
Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida’s major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee Health: When to choose ‘Convenient Care’
Reporting by Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO of Lee Health / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
