How Often Do Your Patients Use an Urgent Care Center?

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I recently received this email as a pitch for an article. It was from a PR firm, and so I obviously ignored it, but I did want to share it with you:

Hello Douglas, 

More Americans are turning to urgent care as their first stop for everyday health needs, driven by long wait times for primary care and a growing preference for convenience. For many patients, urgent care is quickly becoming the “front door” of the healthcare system. 

A spokesperson from Experity Health can speak to what’s driving this shift, how patient expectations are changing, and how urgent care clinics are using technology to handle rising demand while maintaining quality care. Happy to coordinate an interview or share additional insights!  

Best,
Riley Anderson 

Here are my questions:

  • How many of your patients are turning to an urgent care for their everyday health needs?
  • How long are your wait times?
  • How convenient is it to get in to see or communicate with you as their doctor?

Okay, I know the answer to all these questions.

Over my years as a DPC doctor, I probably recommended patients go to an urgent care about four or five times. This was mainly if I was out of town. I remember having dinner with my wife on my anniversary and this patient called complaining of a head wound. We finished up and went to the clinic, and I sewed up a massive laceration on his head. My wife was grossed out. Blood was everywhere.

I guess I could have sent that patient to the urgent care, but I didn’t. That’s what makes DPC so special.

How many of you have sent patients to an urgent care? And why? I am just curious.

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About Douglas Farrago, MD

Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement. He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care: The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity) In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.