Return to Main Menu

Family medicine offers same-day service by Heather M. Woolwine Public Relations ‘Tis the season for flu, colds, strep throat, and sick days.  But while many call in sick because they feel horrible, others must because it takes an entire workday to get a doctor’s appointment.  MUSC Family Medicine Center on Calhoun Street offers a same-day service program on a first come, first serve basis, providing MUSC employees, staff, and practice patients the opportunity to receive immediate, non-emergency care through walk-in style service. Not to say there won’t be a wait from time to time, but this program provides easy access for those who become suddenly ill at work/ home/ school, can’t get an appointment with their primary physician, or simply can’t afford, in any sense of the word, to take the entire day off. “It’s really an effort to get care for people who need things done quickly but don’t require a visit to the ER,” said William Hueston, M.D., Family Medicine chair. “This way, they can come to work and get a few things done without having to take the whole day off or wait the entire day in a doctor’s office. They can be sick but still be productive in their lives.” “So far, it’s been a huge success with employees, faculty, and staff because they enjoy the convenience of crossing the street to see someone quickly,” said Scott Laird, M.D., department administrator. “It’s more convenient, less expensive than an emergency room visit, and more appropriate for illnesses that don’t require emergency treatment.” Barry Hainer, M.D., Family Medicine Clinical Services director, emphasized that the program is open to everyone and that if a patient arrives for same- day service no later than 11 a.m., he or she will be seen that morning. Also, if a patient arrives no later than 4 p.m., he or she will be seen by the end of the day. With at least two physicians and a physician’s assistant dedicated full-time to same-day service, screening patients over the phone is rarely necessary. If a patient wants to come in, he or she simply does it or is invited in over the phone. If a patient prefers an appointment time, and it’s available, then it’s provided. “With same-day service, we are attempting to decrease the time wasted on waiting for callbacks from a doctor’s office and increasing accessibility to immediate care,” Hainer said. “So if you don’t feel well, have a child in immediate need of a sports physical or immunizations for school, this service is for you. And because we are MUSC affiliated, or in house, employees receive in-network benefit savings.” Family Medicine opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closes for lunch from 12 to 1 p.m. To contact the office by phone, dial 792-3451. In addition to weekly hours, the practice also offers same day services on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  “Sometimes Monday is too long to wait to see a doctor,” Hainer said. “Some patients absolutely cannot get off of work during the week to get themselves or a child in to the doctor, so Saturday is their best option.” Hainer and Laird mentioned a possible added feature to the service that would allow employees, faculty or staff to call or e-mail when same day service is needed, prior to coming into the practice. The idea is to then notify those patients by e-mail or pager when they are next to be seen. So in theory, patients’ unproductive time in a waiting room or away from work would be minimized.  Hainer and Laird, interested in knowing if MUSC employees believe this feature would be a value-added service for them, encouraged staff to e-mail them with suggestions. Family Medicine also houses a lab and pharmacy, adding the convenience of one-stop shopping for patients.  Patient parking behind the building is also convenient in an environment usually strapped for parking. In addition to the downtown location, Family Medicine operates an office on the Trident Hospital campus called University Family Medicine. Dial 572-8277 to make an appointment.  Hainer and Laird agree that many employees living in the North Charleston area have found an MUSC primary care facility close to home beneficial. “Our goal is to provide patient-oriented service by eliminating barriers to access and making the primary care experience as simple and pleasant as possible,” Laird said.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.