Where to go

Educational information only — not medical advice. Clinic Compass is not a doctor and does not provide diagnosis or treatment. Always confirm with a licensed clinician. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Where to go

Which kind of care do I need?

This page helps you pick the right place , not figure out what's wrong. It doesn't diagnose anything. If you already know where you're going, the prep sheet will help you get more out of the visit.

If in doubt, and it might be an emergency — call 911. Chest pain or pressure, sudden weakness or numbness (especially one-sided), face droop or slurred speech, difficulty breathing, severe or uncontrolled bleeding, seizure, loss of consciousness, or throat swelling. Don't read further — call.

Emergency room — call 911 or go now

For anything that could be life- or limb-threatening. Do not wait for a walk-in appointment, and do not look up tests first. If you are alone and it might be serious, call rather than drive yourself.

Chest pain or pressure, or difficulty breathing
Sudden weakness or numbness, face droop, or slurred speech
Severe or uncontrolled bleeding, seizure, loss of consciousness, or throat swelling

See the full emergency-sign list →

Urgent care / walk-in clinic

Same-day care for things that need attention but are not life-threatening. This is where most of what this site covers belongs — routine bloodwork requests, screening requisitions, and new symptoms that need an exam. Bring a written list; visits are short.

A sprain, a cut that may need stitches, or a suspected infection
A new symptom you'd like tests for — fatigue, a lump, ongoing headaches
Asking for routine screening or bloodwork you're due for

Build a checklist to bring →

Pharmacist

Pharmacists can now assess and prescribe for a growing list of minor ailments in many provinces and states — often with no appointment and no clinic wait. What they can treat varies a lot by where you are, so it's worth calling ahead or asking at the counter.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (allowed in some provinces and states, not all)
Cold sores, pink eye, mild eczema, or seasonal allergies
Vaccines, birth-control renewals, and prescription refills

Find pharmacies and clinics near you →

Telehealth / virtual visit

Good for anything that doesn't need someone to physically examine you. Useful for reviewing results, renewing a prescription, or deciding whether an in-person visit is needed. A virtual clinician can often send a lab requisition electronically.

Prescription renewals and follow-ups on a known condition
Going over lab results you already have
Asking whether a symptom needs an in-person visit

Virtual care options by country →

Community health centre / sliding-scale clinic

The best option when you need ongoing care rather than a one-off visit, and especially if you're uninsured or underinsured. These centres charge on a sliding scale based on income and generally see people regardless of insurance status.

You want someone who will actually follow your results over time
You're uninsured, between jobs, or on a high-deductible plan
You need STI testing, vaccines, or contraception at low or no cost

Sliding-scale and community clinics →

This is not medical advice. Clinic Compass is an educational tool to help you prepare for a walk-in visit. It does not create a doctor–patient relationship, does not diagnose or treat any condition, and is not a substitute for the judgement of a licensed healthcare professional who knows your history. Never delay, avoid, or change medical care because of something you read here. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your information stays private. Anything you enter — profiles, dates of birth, anatomy, risk factors, completed tests, symptoms, and prep notes — is stored on your own device and, if you sign in, in your private account. It is never shared, sold, or shown to other users, advertisers, or clinicians. Only you can see the data in your account, and you can delete a profile or sign out to wipe local data at any time.