Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

When to Consider Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in the Older Urgent Care Patient

Urgent Message: The features of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus are easily attributed to normal aging, so the diagnosis is frequently missed. Clinicians should know when to suspect the syndrome, how to evaluate for it, and how to refer to a specialist for diagnosis confirmation and management. Keywords: idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus; gait disturbance; urinary incontinence; cognitive impairment; ventriculomegaly; older adults; urgent care Kenneth V. Iserson, MD, MBA, FACEP, FAAEM Abstract Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) …

22-Year-Old With Growing, Painful Lump on Back of Knee

A 22-year-old male presents to urgent care complaining of a painful lump on the back of his left knee that developed roughly 3 years prior. It has gradually grown in size and discomfort since then. The lump has been growing more quickly and becoming more painful over the last month, to the point where it is difficult to play sports and exercise. Physical examination reveals normal vital signs and full range of motion and strength …

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures in the Urgent Care Setting: A Case Report

Urgent Message: Accurately identifying psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in the acute care setting helps avoid dangerous and costly medical interventions, such as aggressive antiepileptic drug treatment. Jacob Welch, OMS-4; Logan Hurm, OMS-4; Akul Mitra, OMS-4; Cameron Shoemaker, PGY-2; Michael B. Weinstock, MD Keywords: psychogenic nonepileptic seizures; functional seizure; functional neurological disorder Abstract Introduction: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) mimic epilepsy but lack epileptiform electrical brain activity. In the urgent care setting, prioritizing rapid stabilization often leads to …

Factors Associated With the Use of an Online Appointment Tool in Urgent Care Centers

Urgent Message: Significant differences in the use of an online appointment tool based on age, race, insurance type, and urgent care setting underline the need for targeted strategies to address differences in adoption across patient groups. E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, MD, PhD; Parth Divekar, MS; Lara Stone, MA; David Schnadower, MD, MPH; Sinem Toraman Turk, PhD Keywords: online appointment scheduling; pediatric urgent care; virtual queueing; digital health; healthcare access; health disparities Abstract Aim: To keep up …

Urgent Care Evaluation and Management of Acromioclavicular Separation

Urgent Message: Urgent care management of acromioclavicular joint separation consists of patient education on immobilization and pain management with consideration for emergency department referral when red flags are present. Jerome Walsh, BS; Clinton Hartz, MD; Michael B. Weinstock, MD Keywords: acromioclavicular joint separation; ac joint injury; shoulder trauma; rockwood classification; shoulder injury; urgent care Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside Editor’s Note: While the images presented here are authentic, the patient case scenarios are …

43-Year-Old Male With Large Bump on Elbow

A 43-year-old man presents to urgent care reporting a soft lump that developed on his arm 3 months prior. He denies pain, itching, or systemic symptoms and feels well otherwise. Examination reveals normal vital signs and a 5 cm soft, mobile, nontender subcutaneous nodule on the proximal dorsal forearm. Range of motion for the elbow and wrist is normal. No erythema or induration is noted; circulation, strength, and sensation are intact distally. View the image …

Abstracts in Urgent Care – November 2026

Editor’s Note: This month’s Abstracts department focuses exclusively on research that examines artificial intelligence in healthcare. AI-Assisted Professional Development Take Home Point: When paired with skilled facilitation, professional development programs supported by artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance engagement, foster reflective practice, and promote immediate application of interactive strategies in diverse teaching settings. Citation: Hou S-I. Enhancing interactive teaching for the next generation of nurses: generative-AI-assisted design of a full-day professional development workshop. Informatics. 2026;13(1):11. doi:10.3390/informatics13010011 …

29-Year-Old With Muscle Weakness

A 29-year-old male presents to urgent care with generalized muscle weakness. His oxygenation is normal on room air, and his blood pressure is 117/72 mm Hg. He denies chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath. An ECG is obtained. View the ECG and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on the next page.

68-Year-Old Female With Swollen, Painful Hand

A 68-year-old woman presents to urgent care with her husband after tripping on a rug at home the previous day and falling onto her left hand. She has experienced persistent pain and swelling in the hand since the fall. Ibuprofen provided modest pain relief. Physical examination reveals normal vital signs with focal edema and tenderness over the dorsal surface of the 4th and 5th metacarpals. Decreased range of motion and knuckle contour at the 5th …

52-Year-Old Female With Extremely Itchy Dark-Ringed Bumps on Skin of Back

A 52-year-old woman visits the urgent care clinic for itchy bumps that have been present on her back for the past 3 months. The lesions are very itchy, and it is difficult for the patient to stop scratching. She has not tried any treatments for her symptoms since onset. On dermatological examination, pink scaly papules with dark exterior rims are seen on her back, some of which appear excoriated. Laboratory results for complete blood count, …

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