Where to go if I don't have a doctor?

Asked by: Dr. Leta Lindgren II  |  Last update: May 12, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (42 votes)

Here are four ways to get the care you need in the time you have:
  • Phone it in. You already use your phone to FaceTime with friends, so why not a healthcare provider, too? ...
  • Stop by your pharmacy. ...
  • Check out your local urgent care center. ...
  • Find a new primary care physician.

What to do if you can't see a doctor?

What you can do if you are struggling to get a GP appointment
  1. Check the appointment options offered by your GP surgery. ...
  2. Speak to someone else in your care team or contact a pharmacist. ...
  3. Use NHS 111 or GP out of hours for urgent medical problems. ...
  4. Join our Online Community. ...
  5. Contact us.

Should I go to urgent care if I don't have a primary care physician?

Most Urgent Care clinics do not perform the Primary Care tasks listed above. If you are healthy, and seldom go to a doctor, then just use Urgent Care when you need it. However, if you have any chronic issues or want annual check-ups, then establish with a primary care provider.

How long can you go without seeing a doctor?

In general, you should see a primary care doctor at least once a year for a general checkup and blood work. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, require more frequent checkups.

What happens if you don't have a doctor?

Fortunately, there are many alternatives available if you don't have a regular doctor including visiting walk-in clinics, urgent care centers, and online healthcare providers. Walk-in clinics offer immediate access to medical professionals without the need for an appointment or referral from an existing doctor.

My Biggest Regrets in Becoming a Doctor

38 related questions found

What happens if you never see a doctor?

Because you haven't been to a doctor in years, there's a good chance you've missed some routine preventive care, and you may not have an accurate picture of some of the key lab results that can form a clear picture of your health, such as your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart function, and more.

Who do I see if I don't have a doctor?

Check out your local urgent care center

Like the smaller clinics, they provide short exams and vaccinations, but they also boast the resources to treat a wider range of problems. You can usually find X-ray machines at these sites, so providers can diagnose sprains or breaks.

Is it cheaper to go to urgent care or doctor?

Despite urgent care's reputation for being more expensive than primary care, the costs of these services are usually quite similar, especially for individuals with insurance.

Can you call the er to see if you should go?

While it's generally not advisable to call an emergency room (ER) for routine medical advice, if you have a medical concern or question, it's best to contact your primary care physician or seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Can I get a prescription without seeing a Dr?

Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.

Does Walgreens do emergency refills?

Yes a 3 day supply of medications that are non-controlled substances in tablet/capsule form. You cannot get OTC items, insulin, diabetic supplies, narcotics, etc. You can also only get an emergency supply if you've had a previous prescription for a medication that is waiting for a refill from a doctor.

Is it bad to not have a primary care physician?

Study reinforces benefits of primary care

Researchers analyzed survey results from 49,286 US adults with a PCP and 21,133 US adults without a PCP. They found that adults with primary care were significantly more likely to fill more prescriptions and to have a routine preventive visit in the past year.

What can I do if I can't be a doctor?

What can you do if you don't get into med school?
  1. Apply again. ...
  2. Apply to other schools. ...
  3. Take a gap year. ...
  4. Pursue a master's degree. ...
  5. Apply to nursing school. ...
  6. Apply for a physician's assistant (PA) program. ...
  7. Change your med school plans. ...
  8. Consider an alternative career path.

What can you call 111 for?

111 online
  • help for my symptoms or injury.
  • dental help.
  • mental health help.
  • a prescription or medicines information.
  • help with an existing medical condition.

Why is it so difficult to see a doctor now?

“It's a perfect storm of factors leading to people asking, 'Can I trust this system to take care of me? ' ” One of the biggest reasons for the frustrating waits is a shortage of doctors across the country—making it tougher to get an appointment and increasing the amount of time wasted in office waiting rooms.

Where is the cheapest place to see a doctor?

Your first choice are community health centers. Sometimes called a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), these are government-run clinics that offer services on a sliding scale. Sometimes, this even means that care is at no-cost.

What do you say to get seen faster in an emergency room?

Be specific: Describe your symptoms in detail. Instead of saying “I feel sick,” explain the specific symptoms you are experiencing, such as nausea, dizziness, or chest pain. This will help the medical staff understand the urgency of your situation. Use descriptive language: Paint a vivid picture of your symptoms.

Can I use urgent care as primary care?

It may be tempting to use the no-appointment, after-hours flexibility as an alternative to your primary care provider, doing so is not recommended. Urgent care providers are set up to address immediate needs and immediate needs only.

What doctor to see if you don t have insurance?

Community health centers and walk-in clinics tend to offer more affordable healthcare than visiting a direct primary care doctor. These options are sometimes even free, especially when shopping for preventive screenings or important vaccinations.

What if I can't see a doctor?

If your family doctor is not available there are 2 main options. One is an online consultation (also known as telehealth or virtual consultation), and the other is an in-person consultation at your local Urgent Care Clinic (Accident and Medical), or after-hours clinic.

Can you call yourself a doctor if you are not a doctor?

Although a bunch of states are allowing people who have no expertise or study of evidence based medicine to sell their services as doctors, so even that standard is getting lowered. That's true in that there is no law against it. You can give yourself whatever title you want.

What do I do if I don't have a doctor?

How to Get a Doctor's Referral
  1. Urgent Care Centers: Urgent care centers are an option for obtaining referrals for non-emergency conditions. ...
  2. Telemedicine: Many telemedicine providers can connect you with a healthcare professional who can assess your condition and provide a referral, if necessary.

What symptoms will get you admitted to the hospital?

Go to an emergency department or call 911 or the local emergency number for help for problems such as:
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Passing out, fainting.
  • Pain in the arm or jaw.
  • Unusual or bad headache, particularly if it started suddenly.
  • Dizziness or weakness that does not go away.
  • Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes.
  • Sudden confusion.

How many people never see a doctor?

People often avoid seeking medical care even when they suspect it may be necessary;14 nearly one-third of respondents in a recent national United States (U.S.) survey reported avoiding the doctor.