FAQs About Duke Virtual Urgent Care

Duke Virtual Urgent Care is ideal if you’re a current Duke patient and 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 Duke MyChart and you must be in North Carolina. Virtual visits are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

If you’re seeking online urgent care outside those hours, Duke Health Anywhere offers an on-demand, virtual option. If you have a life-threatening or serious medical issue, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

Only minor conditions are appropriate for video visits. Duke Virtual Urgent Care is limited to the evaluation of:

• Cold and flu-like symptoms
• COVID-19 and respiratory symptoms
• Pink eye
• Runny nose, sinus congestion, or infection
• Rash or skin condition (high-resolution video required)
• Seasonal allergies
• Urinary symptoms (non-pregnant females 18 to 65)
• Vaginal yeast infection

Yes. You must be an established patient at Duke and have a Duke MyChart account. If you’re already a patient, but don’t have an account, you can sign up now.

Duke Virtual Urgent Care can be used by people ages 6 and up.

Yes. Duke Virtual Urgent Care is covered by insurance as an urgent care visit. You’ll be responsible for any copayments.

Appointments must be scheduled at least one hour ahead of time through your Duke MyChart account.

Antibiotics are effective medications to treat bacterial infections, such as a urinary tract infection or vaginal yeast infection. However, most upper respiratory infections are actually 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 will not prescribe controlled substances, muscle relaxants, medications for erectile dysfunction, or state-specific controlled medications. Refills are sometimes available, depending on your medical history and immediate need.

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

Duke Virtual Urgent Care offers a similar experience as an in-person urgent care visit, where patients don’t get to select their provider. You’ll be seen by an experienced urgent care doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner with special training on how to offer care virtually. You can’t see a specialist through urgent care, which only covers a variety of common, non-emergency injuries and illnesses.

Yes. Duke Virtual Urgent Care 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 Duke MyChart account.

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

No. Because Duke Virtual Urgent Care is staffed with Duke providers, you must be physically located in North Carolina to hold a visit. If you’re out-of-state, Duke Health Anywhere provides a virtual care option.

A virtual visit must be held through your Duke MyChart account on a mobile device or computer with a webcam. Instructions and details on specifications are in this FAQ.