The last thing you expect or want to happen while you are on vacation is to get hurt! However, injuries happen anytime, and when you are vacationing, it is good to have a plan, just in case. Accidents and injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to serious problems that require medical attention.
What Kind of Medical Care Do I Need?
Your first step should be to determine the type of medical care that you might need. Obviously, if you have experienced a life-threatening injury, or if you believe you need immediate emergency care, dial 911 or head to the nearest hospital emergency room.
For less severe injuries, finding an urgent care practice in the area may be your best bet. Urgent care centers can handle stitches, minor sprains, x-rays, and other injuries and illnesses. For painful conditions such as muscle strains or sore joints, you might consider seeking chiropractic care. A chiropractor may provide x-rays, and can offer relief from back and neck pain, and may even be able to help with headache relief.
Finding Medical Care
Once you’ve determined whether you need emergency care, wish to visit an urgent care center, or see a chiropractor or other practitioner, your next step is to determine if your insurance carrier provides coverage to while traveling, and if there are preferred network providers from which to choose. You may find this information on the website for your insurance company, or by calling the number on your insurance card. If you are required to see a provider that is in the insurance company’s network, you can easily choose a medical professional from the list. If you are not limited to a preselected group of providers, you might do an internet search and check reviews for some of the providers nearby, or even check out social media for recommendations. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the name and location of some of these providers before leaving for your vacation.
Following Up and Staying Well
Be sure to follow any instructions provided by the hospital, urgent care center, or chiropractic care center. Take any prescribed medications as directed, and heed any instructions related to recuperating from the injury. Once you are home, you may wish to follow up with your own primary care physician or chiropractor, if necessary.
Vacations are meant to be fun, but often we are more active and more adventurous than usual while vacationing, and that can sometimes result in an unexpected injury requiring a trip to a medical professional. Never hesitate to seek medical care if you’ve been injured. Delaying care might have more of a negative impact on your trip than the injury itself!
