Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room

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Do you ever have patients come into your clinic with what they think is an emergency, but it really could have been handled at an urgent care veterinary practice? Or, are you not sure which cases go to the ER and which can go to urgent care? On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Frank Bozelka, DVM, to chat about the differences between the emergency room and urgent care centers.

Throughout the discussion, Bozelka and Christman highlight different cases. The pair also takes a closer look at the path Bozelka took to become an emergency room veterinarian and why he feels it’s a great spot for him to work in.

Below is a partial transcript. Listen to the full podcast for more.

Frank Bozelka, DVM: I was kind of thrusted, or propelled, into (emergency medicine). I came out and did my internship with the intention to be a cardiologist. That did not work out and I was turned down for a couple of years for specialty internships, residencies, fellowships, and things like that. And while I was applying for the specialty internships, I just stayed working emergency and the clinic I am at, I get a lot of cardiac emergencies, so it kind of scratches that itch for me just enough where I am happy there.

I did not think I would like emergency but I am kind of a severe ADHD person with a lot of energy. I am kind of like a lab just barrelling through people thinking I am smaller than I am and ER kind of just fits that. It has enough go go go to where my mind can jump from case to case. So, after I did not get accepted for things, I was actually really comfortable working in the ER.