Why Schedule a Primary Care Appointment Before You're Sick?

Why should you see a PCP before you get sick?

According to WebMD, Richmond, Virginia ranks #1 for cold and flu season in 2016.

Let’s get right to the point – when you’re sick and you want to see a doctor – you want to see them NOW. If you’re not already an established patient with your Primary Care Provider (PCP), the line to get in the proverbial door gets a lot longer, and you could be days (weeks?) out from the first available appointment.

In most physician offices, there are many types of appointments. Each appointment "type" carries an allotted amount of time, based on how long it takes to diagnose, treat, and advise the patient. If you are scheduling online with HCA Virginia Physicians, the most important time-based designation from which you will self-select on our site is "Current" or "New" patient. For new patients, our providers want to get to know you and understand your health background, and for this reason, these appointments require a longer time slot, and there are fewer of them. For current patients, we can consult on the ailment for which you're seeking treatment quickly, the appointment blocks are shorter, and there are more of them as a result.

Same-day sick visits become a more accessible option when you're an established patient of the practice, streamlining yours or your loved ones' care.

With cold and flu season knocking at our door, and Richmond being ranked as a prime target for activity, it’s better to go ahead and get your ducks in a row now, so you (or your loved ones) can see the doctor faster, and get back to your daily life with minimal interruption. You can easily schedule an appointment online today with an available PCP, and then you’ll be ready when the aches, pains, sniffles, and icky symptoms strike for real.