Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

AI Scribes Reduce Workload, Burnout Among Clinicians

In a quality improvement study of 263 ambulatory clinicians across 6 U.S. health systems published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found the use of an ambient AI scribe for 30 days significantly reduced professional burnout and administrative burden. The proportion of clinicians reporting burnout dropped from 51.9% to 38.8% (odds ratio 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.13–0.54). Significant improvements were observed in note-related cognitive task load (mean difference 2.64 points on a 10-point scale), focused attention …

Covenant Expands Urgent Care Footprint

In Tennessee, Covenant Health Urgent Care has acquired 3 independently operated Well-Key Urgent Care centers in the state, bringing the Covenant Health portfolio to a total of 6 urgent cares. This month, the 10-hospital nonprofit also opened a new urgent care rooftop as part of its planned expansion. The organization is one of 6 health system partners of Urgent Care Group. Well-Key was founded by 2 physicians in 2010 and offers urgent care services to …

Only Physicians Can Be Called “Doctor” In California

In California, a judge has ruled that nurses, nurse practitioners, and other clinical professionals with doctorate degrees cannot refer to themselves as “doctors.” Only physicians and surgeons can use the word “doctor” or the title “Dr.” before their names. The American Medical Association and other professional organizations have long held that only those with MD or DO credentials should be labeled as “doctors” to avoid confusion or misperception by patients. Who are you? This highly …

Large Majority of Families Use Urgent Care at Least Once a Year

A recent survey by WellNow Urgent Care across 5 states shows 90% of all adults are likely to consider going to an urgent care for minor medical emergencies or illnesses—highlighting urgent care’s convenience, after-hours care, and affordability. The survey also shows nearly two-thirds of mothers say cost is the primary factor influencing whether they seek care. Three-quarters of surveyed moms report using vacation days from work to attend medical appointments, and 57% say they have …

COVID-19 Antiviral Prescribing In Urgent Care By Patient Ethnicity

Urgent Message: This study confirms variable prescription rates among different ethnicities in Aotearoa, New Zealand, for COVID-19 antiviral medication despite efforts to reduce health inequities. M. Adrianne Pimentel, MBChB, MHlthLd, FRNZCUC Key Words: Antiviral Prescribing, COVID-19, Comorbidity Abstract Introduction: In Aotearoa, New Zealand, COVID-19 disproportionately increased mortality and morbidity outcomes in Māori and Pacific patients. In an effort to counteract these health inequities, the government aimed to increase access to COVID-19 antiviral medication for Māori …

24-Year-Old Male Hand Pain After a Golf Game

A 24-year-old male patient presents to urgent care with right wrist pain that started while playing golf 2 days ago. The patient recalls swinging the club and hitting the ground rather than the ball, felt a sharp pain in his hand which has been constant since the incident. He has not tried any treatments at home. The provider notes increased pain when the patient flexes his hand, along with a weakened grip compared to the …

Urgent Care Clinician Procedural Benchmarking Survey Results

Patrick O’Malley, MD; Albert Botchway, PhD; Laurel Stoimenoff, PT (ret.); and Lindsey E. Fish, MD, on behalf of the College of Urgent Care Medicine Over the past 15 years, there have been significant changes in urgent care (UC) medicine. First and foremost, this is a rapidly expanding field of medicine as urgent care centers now provide more than 200 million visits a year performed in more than 14,000 locations. Additionally, urgent care centers have transitioned …

Back Pain From Vertebral Metastases in Prostate Cancer: A Case Report

Urgent Message: Persistent, non-mechanical back pain should raise suspicion for non-muscular causes, and in this case, such pain in an older man was related to a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer with bone involvement. Rimsha Afzal, MA; Gregory M. Thompson, MD Key Words: Vertebral Metastases; Metastatic Prostate Cancer; Urgent Care Diagnosis Abstract Introduction: Back pain is a common presentation in the urgent care center. While the majority of diagnoses are self-resolving and of a musculoskeletal …

Diagnosis and Management of Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon Avulsion (Jersey Finger)

Urgent Message: Forced hyperextension of a flexed digit may strain or rupture the flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the distal phalanx. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of acute injury are key in the prevention of permanent finger dysfunction. Alyssa Marchman, BS; Sarah Brouwer, BS; William Beauchamp, DO Key Words: Flexor Digitorum Profundus, Tendon Avulsion, Jersey Finger Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside: Editor’s Note: While the images presented here are authentic, the patient case scenarios …

Abstracts in Urgent Care – October 2025

Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adults Take Home Point: This study suggests that cannabis use has a strong, statistically significant association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes independent of tobacco use. Citation: Jeffers A, Glantz S, Byers A, et. al. Association of Cannabis Use With Cardiovascular Outcomes Among US Adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 5;13(5):e030178. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.123.030178 Relevance: Animal studies have previously shown endothelial cell dysfunction, a precursor to endovascular disease, occurs with cannabis use. …

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