The ability to call their doctor in the middle of the night isn’t something that most people get for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that too many people are unaware that this is a possibility. For most people, late-night contact with a physician only happens in the context of a medical emergency. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. Maybe you forgot to take a dose of a medication and are wondering if you should take it at 3:00am. Maybe you have a question that’s pressing enough to need an answer right now, but not urgent enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. There are countless potential reasons as to why you might need to speak to your doctor–not just a doctor–outside of business hours, and we’re here to tell you that that’s completely possible. Here’s how.

Health Emergencies Happen

First and foremost, it’s important to note that when we talk about contacting your doctor outside of business hours, we’re referring to situations outside of medical emergencies. If you are ever experiencing a medical emergency, please do not hesitate to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Once you’ve been treated and are no longer in an emergency, you can proceed to contact your primary care doctor. No round-the-clock physician access should be viewed as a substitute for emergency medical care in the situations where it’s needed.

If you’re unsure about whether something counts as a medical emergency, err on the side of caution and treat it as such. Speak to your physician about what does and does not qualify as a medical emergency.

But What If You Have a Not-Quite Emergency?

With that said, there are plenty of situations in which you might have a pressing question or situation on your hands that isn’t life-threatening and doesn’t otherwise qualify as a medical emergency. In those situations, going to the emergency room or an urgent care can be both expensive and time-consuming, leaving you with little in the way of solutions or action steps.

On the same token, other alternatives that are both less time-consuming and more affordable, like telehealth, come with their own significant “cons.” Usually, telehealth means consulting with a physician completely out of context in bite-sized increments that don’t allow enough time for you to provide the necessary context. Of course, that’s assuming that there are telehealth appointments immediately available when you need them (which is unlikely if you’re looking in the middle of the night).

What if, however, you had an ongoing relationship with a physician that allowed you to contact them 24/7? What if that physician was not just a medical expert, but also an expert in your specific medical condition, circumstances, and needs?

Concierge medicine turns that scenario from a “what if?” to a very tangible reality, offering patients a relationship-based approach to treatment that gives them unfettered access to their doctor’s expertise around the clock.

Concierge Medicine at Robinson MD

Concierge medicine is a relationship-based approach to treatment. Instead of month-long wait lists, annual check-ups, and only 15 minutes of facetime with your doctor at each appointment, you get continuous physician access and a treatment plan that is updated as your medical needs evolve.

Each medical practice does concierge plans differently. At Robinson MD, our concierge plan is all about ensuring that your questions are answered, your concerns are addressed, and your best interest is protected. Here’s what you can expect from our concierge plan:

• Priority appointment booking whenever you need it.
• Your physician’s advocacy if you are ever hospitalized.
• Round-the-clock physician access 24/7 via phone, text, or email.
• A treatment plan that’s based on extensive testing and customized to your unique health profile, and that evolves along with your needs.

The goal of our concierge program is to offer patients an approach that targets the root causes of their symptoms and evolves alongside their medical needs, leading to better health outcomes not just in the short term, but long-term as well.

If you’ve experienced the uncertainty that comes with needing your doctor in the middle of the night but not having access to them, it’s worth considering whether a concierge medicine plan is the right fit for you. To learn more about how the Robinson MD concierge program could fit into your lifestyle, schedule your first consultation with us.