Urgent Care vs. Primary Care: How to Know Where to Go

When you or your family member is sick or injured, it’s not always easy to know whether to head to urgent care or call your primary care provider. Both play an important role in keeping you healthy, but they serve different purposes. At Kent Medical Group in Tallahassee, we want our patients to feel confident about where to turn for care. Here’s a breakdown to help guide you.

9/5/20252 min read

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care is your medical home base. Your primary care provider (PCP) manages your overall health, from preventive screenings to chronic conditions and same-day sick visits.

Primary care covers:

Annual physicals and wellness exams
Vaccines and preventive care
Management of ongoing conditions (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, thyroid issues)
Sick visits (cold, flu, sinus infection, ear infection)
Referrals to specialists when needed

Having a PCP means you have a provider who knows your history and can coordinate your care long-term.

What Is Urgent Care?

Urgent care clinics are designed to treat non-life-threatening medical issues that can’t wait for a routine appointment.

Urgent care covers:

Sprains, minor fractures, cuts requiring stitches
Minor burns
Flu or strep when your PCP is unavailable
Urinary tract infections
Mild allergic reactions

Urgent care is helpful when you need treatment quickly, but it’s not a replacement for a primary care provider.

When to Choose Primary Care First

If your condition is not an emergency, your PCP should be your first call. Why?

You’ll see someone who knows your health history.
It saves time and money compared to an ER or urgent care.
Your provider can follow up and ensure you’re improving.

At Kent Medical Group, we offer same-day and next-day appointments to make it easier for patients to get timely care without having to rely on urgent care.

When Urgent Care Makes Sense

Go to urgent care if:

You can’t get in with your PCP quickly.
You have a minor injury like a sprain or cut that needs stitches.
It’s after hours and you need immediate attention.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Always go to the ER for serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as:

Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Severe head injuries
Stroke symptoms (sudden weakness, slurred speech)
Uncontrolled bleeding
Severe allergic reactions

The Bottom Line

Both urgent care and primary care have important roles, but primary care is the foundation of long-term health. Urgent care should be used when needed, but having a trusted primary care provider in Tallahassee ensures you’re cared for consistently and comprehensively.

At Kent Medical Group, we’re here to be your healthcare home base. Whether you need preventive care, chronic condition management, or a same-day sick visit, our team is ready to hel