Currently, there are approximately 20.000 physicians that are practicing urgent care medicine. On a weekly basis, estimates from the Urgent Care Association of America indicate that three million individuals visit walk in urgent care centers. The fact that 85% of these centers are open throughout the entire week, it isn’t surprising that more and more Americans are opting to use urgent care centers rather than traditional hospital emergency rooms when they need medical assistance.

There are a variety of common medical issues that can be treated at a walk in urgent care facility. This includes minor illnesses such as colds and flus as well as urinary tract infections, allergic reactions, ankle sprains, and bone fractures. On an annual basis, people within the United States come down with roughly one billion colds. Flus are common as well, and an average of five percent to 20% of Americans will get the flu every year.

urinary tract infections are also prevalent, and account for 8.1 million visits to the doctor every year. Allergic reactions to plants such as poison ivy are common with 85% of the population. When children and/or adults experience an allergic reaction to this plant or to other types of allergens, it’s important to note that these issues can be addressed at walk-in clinics.

Most walk-in medical clinics are able to address bone fractures. This is true of four out of every five urgent care facilities. Given that recent reports estimate that 25,000 people within the United States sustain an ankle sprain on a daily basis, this can be treated at a walk-in clinic as well.

There are, of course, other medical services that can be provided by physicians and their staff at a walk-in urgent care center. This includes preventative care such as flu and travel vaccinations as well as physical and other types of therapy.

Since advanced appointments aren’t needed, walk-in urgent care centers are a convenient option for busy individuals. Advanced appointments can be scheduled online, however. Given the benefits of these walk-in clinics, it’s not surprising that this is a growing field of medicine.