After hour clinics play an important role in ensuring that you receive medical attention at odd hours on evenings and weekends when it is difficult to get an appointment with your regular doctor.

The good news is that you don’t need to book an appointment. You simply show up and register at the reception and wait for your turn.

Unfortunately, not all health problems can be treated at the after-hours clinic. Emergency, serious and life-threatening issues are better taken to the hospital.

The kind of care you can get at an after-hours clinic is similar to what your regular doctor would provide, except it is after office hours. For instance, some clinics open between 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, although the time varies depending on the clinic. A good example is AfterHrsClinic.com.

The care includes:

Conducting Tests

The after-hours clinics provide tests such as x-rays, blood tests, pregnancy tests, urinalysis, and other minor tests. The tests are administered depending on your illness.

A Look at Your Medical History

An after-hours clinic may not have your medical history since it is with your regular physician. As such, you are likely to be asked many questions regarding your health so that the doctor can know what is ailing you and to determine the best way to give you treatment.

The information is also meant to find out if you are allergic to any medication, or if you have any non-medical allergies. It could be that your illness is related to allergies.

Treatment

Unless it is an emergency or a serious illness, it can be treated at an after-hours clinic. Some of the health issues treated include broken or sprained ankle, strains, migraines, fever, colds, injuries, lacerations, sore throats, ear infections, burns, cuts, broken bones, bruises, asthma, allergies, dog bites and pink eyes among other minor illnesses.

However, you should not go to the clinic if you have severe chest pains, suffered severe head injuries, you want care for a long-term condition, severe bleeding, severe burns, broken bones and breathing problems among other serious health issues. These need to be taken to an emergency room at the nearest hospital.

If you have a serious medical issue and you are wondering whether to visit an after-hours clinic, it would be better to call your doctor and seek their advice. In case you go ahead to the clinic with a serious illness, you are normally directed to a hospital.

You should not go to an after-hours clinic if you are seeking for a medical examination such as for fitness assessments, pre-employment or insurance forms since these require more knowledge of your medical history and longer consultations.

Updating Your Doctor

An after-hours clinic is not meant to replace your regular doctor. It only provides the convenience of being attended by a doctor when your regular physician’s office is closed.

Due to this, it is important to update your regular physician with the treatment you have received at an after-hours clinic. Most clinics provide this service by sending a letter or fax to your doctor or by using Epic, electronic medical records, on the computer.

This way, your doctor is kept updated on your medical information.