Do you know where to go when you need care?
Take our quiz to test your medical care know-how. Then learn the best place to go to take care of common medical issues.
These days there are lots of options for getting medical care. For screenings, checkups, and routine care, your primary care doctor is usually your go-to. And you can also head to urgent care when you need medical attention after hours.
But sometimes the answer isn’t clearcut. Is an emergency room visit ever worth it? Is it better to start with your primary care doctor or see someone different? Take our quiz to test your medical care know-how. Then learn the best place to go to take care of common medical issues.
Looking for a primary care provider or specialist? Go to Find a Doctor to find one near you.
1. You think you might have broken your ankle, but you’re not sure. The best place to get it checked out is:
A. Emergency room
B. Urgent care
C. Primary care provider
Answer: B. Urgent care clinics are staffed with medical professionals who see a range of non-emergency illnesses and injuries. They’re a good choice when you’ve hurt yourself and can’t wait to see your regular doctor. Most urgent care clinics have X-ray machines to check for minor broken bones or fractures. The staff there can also give you a temporary cast if necessary. Urgent care is generally less expensive than going to and getting treated at the ER.
2. True or false: You need to have a computer to try telehealth.
Answer: False Telehealth appointments are a way of connecting with a doctor remotely instead of going to an office. But these visits don’t always have to be done over video chat on a computer or tablet. If you have a smartphone, you can see a provider via video on your phone.
And you can always speak to a doctor by telephone. Ask your doctor’s office what options they offer.
When you register with HMSA’s Online Care, you can connect with a doctor or specialist 24/7. Click here to learn more and get started.
3. You fell, hit your head, and passed out for a minute. The best place to go is:
A. Emergency room
B. Urgent care
C. Primary care provider
Answer: A. Go to the ER or call 911 right away if you think you may have a life-threatening emergency. This includes a fall where you hit your head and lose consciousness. Even mild head injuries can damage the brain. At the ER, you may be given a CT scan and other tests to check for any bruising or bleeding in the brain, which is serious.
Other medical emergencies that warrant a trip to the ER include severe chest pain (possible heart attack), sudden severe headache (possible stroke), and severe allergic reactions.
4. You woke up with a weird, itchy rash on your neck. You’re not sure if it’s contagious so you:
A. Head to urgent care
B. Call your primary care doctor
C. Schedule a telehealth appointment
Answer: C. Telehealth may be the fastest way to show a doctor or nurse what’s ailing you. That way, your provider can get a look at the rash via video while you describe your symptoms. Plus, you save a trip to the doctor’s office. If you don’t have a device, maybe a family member or neighbor can take a picture of the rash and send it to your doctor.
Not sure if you need a doctor today? Connect with a HMSA Online Provider. Our team of Hawaii-based providers can answer your health questions and help you with many common conditions.
5. You’re traveling, and your cold is getting worse instead of better. What to do?
A. Go to a local urgent care
B. Book an appointment with your primary care doctor for when you get home
C. Go to a local emergency room
Answer: A. Yes, you could wait for an appointment with your primary care doctor. But if you’re worried, head to a local urgent care. They can order rapid lab tests to rule out whether you have COVID-19, the flu, or RSV. They might give you a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia. Or examine your ears for a possible infection. Telehealth is also a handy option for when you’re traveling.
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6. You bought a new blood pressure monitor to track your numbers at home and want to check if it’s accurate. Who do you call?
A. Your provider’s office
B. Urgent care
C. Telehealth appointment
Answer: A. Check to see if there is a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant at your doctor’s office. These advanced care providers can take care of many day-to-day medical needs. To check your new monitor, they’ll take your blood pressure with their monitor. Then they’ll ask you to use yours and compare the readings. Ask if they can set up a system where you can send the data to the office, or use a patient portal such as MyChart.
Sources:
What is telehealth and when to use it: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
When to use urgent care: American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine
When to use the emergency room: Medline Plus
Urgent care vs emergency room: University of Chicago
Monitoring your blood pressure at home: American Heart Association
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