The Difference between Urgent Care Centers and Emergency Rooms

Accomplished physician Robert VandenBosche practices adult primary care and preventive medicine at Seton Medical Group in Maryland. A resident of Middletown, Robert VandenBosche has worked in a range of medical settings, including urgent care facilities and emergency departments.

When illness appears suddenly, many people are uncertain whether to visit an urgent care center or an emergency room. Generally, urgent care centers treat medical issues that are not life-threatening. This includes problems such as minor cuts, animal bites, mild asthma attacks, and earaches. Essentially, urgent care provides noncritical medical care to patients outside of their doctor’s normal operating hours.

Emergency rooms generally are reserved for real medical emergencies, including shortness of breath, chest pain, seizures, and sudden numbness. These symptoms suggest that patients may be suffering from a life-threatening condition that needs immediate care. 

Unlike urgent care centers, which usually close at night, emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day. Urgent care centers and emergency rooms also differ in terms of their personnel and medical capabilities. 

Emergency rooms can handle surgical procedures, X-rays, trauma, and almost any other medical situation. While urgent care centers are capable of handling a wide range of medical issues, they usually are not as well equipped as emergency rooms.

AAFP Praises FDA's Plan to Attack Nicotine Addiction

An experienced physician based in Middletown, Maryland, Dr. Robert VandenBosche specializes in primary care in his role with Seton Medical Group. Outside of his clinical work, Dr. Robert VandenBosche is a longtime member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

In late 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Comprehensive Plan for Tobacco and Nicotine Regulation-a major public health initiative aimed at helping adult smokers kick the habit. The AAFP expressed its approval of the program and highlighted the FDA’s efforts to educate the public about flavored nicotine products. Specifically, the FDA suggested banning the use of flavored cigars, as well as halting the sale of flavored electronic nicotine products in stores that are accessible to young adults and even children.

Banning flavored cigar and electronic products has the potential to curb nicotine appeal among adolescents and young adults. The organization says it will continue working with government agencies to lobby for laws aimed at tackling major public health issues such as nicotine addiction.

Taking Clear Photos of Fast Flying Birds

A Middletown, Maryland, resident, Dr. Robert VandenBosch practices with the Seton Medical Group as primary care physician. Among Dr. Robert VandenBosch’s favorite activities is photography and he has earned amateur photographer award recognition.

One of the most challenging aspects of photography is capturing fast-moving objects such as birds across a wide range of backdrops. In fast action situations, it makes sense to invest in a camera that has 6 to 9 frames per second capacities and a shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second or higher. With lower shutter speeds, motion blur that cannot be resolved in post-production becomes a major issue.

Just as important is focus acquisition speed, and an auto-focus system is an essential for clear images of birds in flight. Look for auto ISO features that automatically adjust ISO depending on light conditions and set the minimum shutter speed at 1/1000, with the aperture set to its maximum. This helps ensure a stable and clear view in changing lighting situations, including when birds leave foliage for open sky flight.

Cameras such as the Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 are ideal for capturing fast flight situations. They are designed to comfortably accommodate high-end 200 to 800mm lenses, ideally equipped with teleconverters and optical stabilization. Keep in mind that, with the 500mm range lens and above, tripods will be required, as the camera is too heavy and bulky to comfortably hold in the hands.

Symptoms of a Broken Bone

A medical professional based in Middletown, Maryland, Dr. Robert VandenBosche is a primary care physician with Seton Medical Group, a part of Saint Agnes Hospital/Ascension. Over the course of more than 20 years as an MD, Dr. Robert VandenBosche has treated a large number of conditions that require immediate care, including broken bones. 

When someone in your household falls or suffers a blow, it can be difficult to assess if a trip to an immediate care center or emergency room is necessary. When a patient’s bone is broken, several symptoms may be manifested:

-Swelling or bruising

-Significant pain that becomes worse with movement or pressure

-An inability to bear weight

-Loss of function

-Deformity

If any of these symptoms are present, the patient should immediately seek medical intervention for formal diagnosis and treatment.

To determine if a bone is fractured, an X-ray must be performed. Doctors can then reset the bone into its proper place. This process can take place without surgery in a closed reduction procedure. Sometimes, however, the fracture requires surgery to restore the bone to its intended position. In an open reduction procedure, while a patient is under general anesthesia, a physician will use pins, plates, or screws to join the bone.

When a patient suffers a fracture, a doctor will usually recommend a splint or cast to immobilize the injured bone while it heals. Pain medications can help with pain management. The length of time casts or splints must be worn varies depending on the bone fractured and the severity of the break.

4 Reasons Seniors Should Get the Flu Shot

Based in Middletown, Maryland, Robert VandenBosche serves as an adult primary care physician at Seton Medical, a part of Saint Agnes Medical Group under Ascension. Among his primary responsibilities, Robert VandenBosche helps adults, including seniors, stay healthy through preventative medicine.

One of the easiest and most widely used forms of senior preventative medicine is the flu shot, and it protects both seniors and caregivers from getting sick. Here are four reasons why seniors should get a flu shot this year.

1. Seniors' immune systems tend to be weaker due to age and, at times, chronic illness. This makes seniors one of the groups most at risk of getting the flu. 

2. The flu can result in death. Studies have shown seniors age 65 and older make up 70-85 percent of the total number of people who die from the flu each season. Further, this age group is more likely to be hospitalized for the flu, making up 54-70 percent of all flu-related hospitalizations.

3. Getting the flu shot reduces the symptoms of the flu, as well as the chance of developing pneumonia, an infection that can lead to death. 

4. It's free for seniors under Medicare. Alternatively, many organizations and programs provide reduced-price flu vaccines for seniors without Medicare.

Quick and Easy Travel Photography Tips

Dr. Robert VandenBosche of Middletown, Maryland, has worked as a physician for over two decades. He currently treats adult patients at a practice within St. Agnes Hospital in Catonsville, Maryland. Outside of work, Dr. Robert VandenBosche pursues various interests, including adventure travel and photography. 

Few things can capture the look and feel of a location better than a quality photograph. The best part about travel photography is that anyone can be successful as long as they keep a few things in mind. 

Before the camera even comes out of your bag, it's best to start by considering what it was that brought you to the specific location in the first place. Whether it's the natural environment, the people, the culture, or urban landscapes, identifying the things that interest you can help you narrow your focus and plan what to shoot. Don't forget to do some research to learn about interesting aspects of the location that you may have overlooked. 

Another thing to remember is that great travel photography often results from a little serendipity. Ensuring that you are at the right place at the right time requires that you keep your eyes open and put in a little work. Getting up early and staying out late will not only enrich your experience, but it will also give you more opportunities to look for photographs. Be sure to keep safety in mind, but don't be afraid to wander away from busy areas to find interesting subjects. Finally, always be ready to take your shot, because you never know when the chance for a great photo will present itself.

AAFP Prepares for 2019 Family Medicine Experience Event

An experienced physician from Middletown, Maryland, Dr. Robert VandenBosche previously served as medical director for Frederick Memorial Hospital. He recently joined Seton Medical Group as a primary-care physician. Over the course of a medical career spanning more than 20 years, Dr. Robert VandenBosche has maintained membership in professional groups such as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). 

In its effort to help members improve their professional knowledge and skills, AAFP oversees a variety of educational events, including the Family Medicine Experience (FMX), a multi-day conference that brings together over 5,000 physicians each year. AAFP members can currently register for FMX 2019, which will take place September 25-27 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. 

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of learning sessions and clinical-procedure workshops. The topics covered will include emergency and urgent care, infectious disease, women's health, and practice management. The educational programming will also feature presentations from prominent physicians as well as speakers from outside of the health care field, including former Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner. 

Alongside the learning activities, highlights of FMX 2019 will include a networking and celebration event at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia. Attendees will enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks, and socializing. More information, including registration and housing details, is available at www.aafp.org/fmx.