Virtual Primary and Urgent Care FAQs

Virtual primary and urgent care are ideal if you have a minor illness or injury that is not life-threatening. It should not be used for emergency care. The virtual appointment is scheduled through My Duke Health (previously Duke MyChart), and you must be in North Carolina. 

There is one exception: this service can be used if you are in Virginia, you can use virtual care for ongoing care for a condition for which you've received in-person care at Duke Primary Care in the past 12 months. You cannot be seen virtually by a Duke provider for a new condition while in Virginia.

Virtual visits are available 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, for those 6 years of age and older. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, for 6 months and older.

Minor symptoms, illnesses, and injuries that can be treated virtually include but are not limited to:

• Cough
• COVID/cold/flu symptoms
• COVID-19 screenings
• Constipation
• Dental pain/infection
• Diarrhea
• Insect bites
• Itchy eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Pink eye
• Post-nasal drainage
• Seasonal allergies
• Sinus pain and congestion
• Skin rashes and infections
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Urinary tract infections (adult female only)
• Yeast infection/bacterial vaginosis

Conditions and symptoms for which virtual care is not appropriate include:

• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Visits requiring examination of genitals, breasts, and buttocks
• Forms (FMLA, disability)
• Opioid medications for pain
• Motor vehicle accident
• Palpitations
• Seizures
• Severe ear pain
• Weakness
• Work-related injuries

You do not need to be a Duke patient but you do need a My Duke Health account. Use this link to sign up if don’t have an account.

Duke's virtual primary and urgent care can be used by people ages 6 months and older.

Yes. A virtual primary care and urgent care visit is covered by insurance as a primary care visit. You will be responsible for any copayments.

Appointments must be scheduled at least one hour in advance through your My Duke Health account.

Antibiotics can be prescribed if needed. They are effective medications to treat bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections. However, most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. Treatment of viruses with antibiotics is ineffective and may put you at risk for significant side effects such as diarrhea, upset stomach, yeast infections, and allergic reactions.

In addition, unnecessary usage of antibiotics can worsen a national problem of antimicrobial resistance which may put you and others at risk for more severe infections in the future. Your provider will consider your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate and safest treatment. Antibiotics can’t safely treat flu or COVID-like symptoms.

Providers may not prescribe controlled substances like Adderall, Percocet, Norco, etc.

Providers can send most prescriptions to a pharmacy of your choice. The kinds of medications that can be prescribed include antibiotics, steroids, or cough medications.

If you want to make an appointment to see your doctor, please use My Duke Health to schedule, or call their office directly. Virtual primary and urgent care offers a similar experience as an urgent care visit. You’ll be seen by an experienced healthcare provider who is specially trained to offer virtual care for common, non-emergency injuries and illnesses.

Yes. Duke providers have access to your records. 

Yes. Ask your provider to write you a note before ending your video visit and it will be sent to your My Duke Health account.

Virtual visits are HIPAA-compliant, allowing for a safe and confidential visit with a provider. A summary will be sent to your My Duke Health account.

Because virtual primary and urgent care is staffed by Duke providers, you must be physically located in North Carolina to hold a visit. There is one exception: this service can be used if you are traveling in Virginia and have been seen at Duke Primary Care in the past.

A virtual visit occurs through your My Duke Health account on a mobile device or computer with a webcam. Instructions and details on specifications are in this FAQ.