No Appointment Needed
Nurse practitioners now have greater authority which is wonderful news so now they can write prescriptions, provide vaccines, order lab tests, and diagnose and treat illnesses. Instead of waiting two months to see your primary doctor, you can pop in to a nearby Minute Clinic. You can also see them for urgent care in some instances so you won’t have to wait for hours in the ER to be seen. People frequently go to the emergency room for the flu, strep throat, and bladder infections. If it’s a true emergency, go straight to the ER.
Some clinics even have weight-loss programs with nutrition advice and provide on-going weight-loss coaching. If this is a service that will help you, definitely check it out.
A nurse at Scripps Hospital was thrilled about these new options so doctors won’t be so bogged down; and people will be getting better and quicker care. This will help lower costs because an ER visit is much more expensive. You’ll be seeing a bunch of CVS pharmacies cropping up, just don’t be tempted by the candy on the way out.
Sources: nurse Scripps Hospital, CVS pharmacy manager
Just like you have to be careful of the doctors you choose, you also have to be careful about the nurse practitioners you choose. A second opinion from a doctor may be a good idea on any diagnoses and treatments that concern vital organs, stomach problems or anything that has been troubling for any length of time. When it comes to your health, you can’t be too careful.
When you go to the ER you cannot choose the doctor. I’m not aware that anyone can choose a nurse practitioner either. If it’s an emergency, there may not be time for a 2nd opinion. If a doctor says you need surgery and you can wait a few weeks, then a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion are a must!