A Quick Look at Pursuing Extra Medical Care

If you are concerned about your medical well-being, or the well-being of a friend or loved one, you may find that the more you research, the more questions you have. There are so many different ways to get extra medical care, and because our body’s systems are so connected, it can become difficult to pinpoint the specific type of help or expertise that you need to improve your quality of life.

Consult a Physician

Your first line of defense should be your primary care provider. Scheduling regular visits with your doctor can serve as a preventative measure for any worries that come up with your health. It’s much easier for a physician to research your case and recommend the most appropriate care plan when he is familiar with your medical history. It can also be a bonus for you to trust and accept care from a professional who you know well.

A primary care physician is also an important piece because, through them, you will be able to get the connections you need to necessary procedures and the expertise of specialists who can review your case with a practiced eye. So whatever care you may be prescribed or whoever you might have an appointment with, remember that your primary doctor acts like your home base for questions and further resources.

Extended Professional Care

When you are in good health, most of your professional care happens right in the doctor’s office. If you contract strep, you schedule a visit with your primary physician. If you need care outside regular office hours, there are usually several urgent care facilities open which offer those regular physician services so you don’t have to visit the hospital’s emergency room.

Some people have illnesses that can be quite unpredictable, in which case it’s a good idea to be familiar with any urgent care facilities or medical centers with longer hours so you’ll have a good idea of where you can go for help. Whether your primary physician is available or another general practitioner is on-call, medical communities are sure to make services available to those who need them when they need them. Even dentists, in urgent dental situations, can be contacted to provide care during their off hours.

Care in Your Home

Extended care can also reach right into your home. At one time, the typical routine was for doctors to make house visits, and now there are many services that function in a similar way, like home health and hospice. These services can range from medical needs for physical therapy, medication administration, or supplementary oxygen.

Often home health is ordered by a physician when their patient is beginning recovery from a serious medical incident, such as surgery or a stay in the hospital, but it can also be instated with the general deterioration of health we see with age or acute injuries. It’s not just nurses that come to visit you either. Many home health agencies have begun to supply other medical professionals like physical therapists, physician assistants, and social services.

Other services give this extended medical care outside of critical care facilities like hospitals for longer periods of time, such as rehabilitation centers, where patients stay until they improve enough to move back home.

Home health is a tool to help people continue to get professional care that will help them to improve their health until they are strong enough to discontinue home health services. However, hospice, which was mentioned above, works a bit differently. This is a service for those who require medical care at home but may or may not make those expected improvements.

Often patients who are making their way out of this life are given hospice care to ease their pain and assist family members with strenuous care or care requiring medical training. There are a few key things to know about hospice care that can help you prepare for the time when you or a loved one will need it and will make the process less scary.

Care for the Unseen

While there is a lot for us to notice and worry about with the physical state of our health, it’s also important to remember that we can seek care for our mental and emotional health by talking with a counselor or social worker. Everyone needs a safe space to talk through their challenges, and thankfully the stigma around seeing a therapist regularly is breaking down.

Don’t be afraid to step back and recognize that your mental wellbeing might need some extra support as well. The experts and facilities for mental health are learning and growing more than ever before, and they will be your champions for facing the extreme challenges you may be facing.