First steps with doctors

This page offers support and resources and is not a substitute for medical advice; if you have concerns, see or call a health care professional.

When to get help right now

If you think you or someone else may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You never need permission or a doctor first.

The American College of Emergency Physicians lists these warning signs for adults:

  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more
  • Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
  • Changes in vision
  • Choking
  • Head or spine injury
  • Injury due to a serious motor vehicle accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, deep or large wound or other serious injuries
  • Ingestion of a poisonous substance
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, difficulty waking
  • Any sudden or severe pain
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Coughing or vomiting blood
  • Suicidal or homicidal feelings
  • Unusual abdominal pain

For children

  • Severe headache or vomiting, especially following a head injury
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Inability to stand up or unsteady walking
  • Unconsciousness
  • Abnormal or difficult breathing
  • Skin or lips that look blue or purple or gray
  • Feeding or eating difficulties
  • Increasing or severe, persistent pain
  • Fever accompanied by change in behavior (especially with a severe, sudden headache accompanied by mental changes, neck/back stiffness)
  • Any significant change from normal behavior: Confusion or delirium; Decreasing responsiveness or alertness; Excessive sleepiness; Irritability; Seizure; Strange or withdrawn behavior; Lethargy

This list does not cover every possible emergency. If you think you or someone else may be having one, seek immediate medical care.

Federal law requires hospital emergency departments to screen anyone who comes seeking care and provide treatment to stabilize an emergency medical condition, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. You can read more about your emergency room rights.

Source: American College of Emergency Physicians

If the emergency involves suicidal feelings, you can also call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

For problems that feel urgent but are not on this list, an urgent care clinic or a call to a nurse line can help you decide.

Find a doctor and book a checkup

A primary care doctor is someone you can return to for checkups, everyday health concerns, and help arranging other care. For adults, look for family medicine or internal medicine. Pediatricians provide primary care for children.

If you have insurance, start with your insurer’s directory of doctors. Look for someone accepting new patients, and confirm with the office and insurer that they are “in network” for your particular plan. This means they have an agreement with your insurer to provide care. HealthCare.gov explains how to find a covered provider.

If you have no insurance, a community health center can be a starting point. These centers see people with or without insurance and offer fees based on income. Ask what the visit will cost and what information to bring.

When you call, you can say:

“I’d like to become a new patient and book a checkup or annual physical. I’ve had very little medical care. Are you accepting new patients?”

Mention any current concern when booking so the office can help arrange the visit. Ask about costs and anything you should bring. You can write down the answers.

What to tell them

Learning how to get medical care can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. You deserve patient explanations and respectful care, wherever you are starting.

Be upfront about being raised in Christian Science and having little or no medical history. You could say:

“I was raised in Christian Science and had little or no medical care. I have very few records, and I may be missing vaccines. Please explain things in plain language and tell me what I need to do next.”

If you have never taken medicine or feel anxious about an examination, say so. You can ask the doctor to explain each step before it happens.

Bring a written list of questions and concerns. You can hand it to the doctor at the beginning, especially if speaking about your background feels difficult.

A few questions to start with:

  • “Would baseline bloodwork help us understand my health? Which tests make sense for me?”
  • “How can I catch up on vaccines?” Our guide to getting vaccinated can help you prepare.
  • “What should happen after this appointment, and how will I get any results?”

If you do not know your family’s medical history, say “I don’t know.” You can ask for help with unfamiliar questions on forms.

You can find more scripts and a sample letter in How to tell your medical provider about your Christian Science background.

Where to go next