When was the last time you tried to make a doctor’s ap– pointment only to be told there were no openings? or, if you were lucky enough to get in, how long did you wait to be seen? That problem is the motivation behind the growing number of retail clinics popping up in local grocery stores, Wal–Marts, targets and other businesses all across the country. “Thirty minutes or it’s free,” a phrase commonly associated with pizza delivery services is now being used to attract people who are not only sick, but sick and tired of wasting hours in the waiting areas of their family physicians and emergency rooms.
Retail clinics are a growing industry that offers a healthcare solution for people when they need it most. With catchy phrases including, “on the spot relief,” and, “Get Well Stay Well fast,” these clinics specialize in offering fast, affordable and most of all, convenient health care. Staffed by Nurse Practitioners and Physician’s assistants and supervised by an M.d., the clinics are not designed to take the place of the family physician, but rather to handle minor illnesses, vaccinations and routine medical care—the very things that can cause physicians offices and emergency rooms to become bogged down.
Unlike many family practices, the retail clinics stay open evenings and weekends and do not require an appointment. Many guarantee that you will be in and out in 15 to 20 minutes and, if there is a wait, some even offer pagers that allow you to do your shopping until it is your turn. The clinics feature a clear and concise menu of prices and services, and most accept, but do not require, insurance, making them a viable option for the growing number of uninsured in this country. Then there is the added convenience of filling your prescription at the instore pharmacy.
Sound too good to be true? While these clinics are a wonderful alternative for people who cannot get a same–day appointment with their regular physician or for those who don’t have a family doctor, it is important to remember that they are limited in services and are not for every person or every ailment. In fact, the medical practitioners on staff often refer patients to their primary care physician if the problem is something that is not easily remedied or is symptomatic of something greater. If the patient doesn’t have a primary care physician, the clinics are able to refer them to someone from the clinic’s referral list.
The other factor to consider is the lack of personal care and attention that comes when you visit the family physician. Your family doctor knows your chart and medical history and provides a continuity of care that could be lacking in a retail clinic. a retail clinic can only rely on the information provided by the patient at that moment.
For those who understand the scope and limitation of care, retail clinics can be a helpful convenience to the many people who simply don’t have time to wait hours to see a traditional doctor.
But is the retail clinic in direct competition with the family practices? Some doctors see it that way, however others see it as more of an adjunct care: a way for their healthy patients with common ailments such as sore throats, coughs or runny noses to be seen and treated quickly and effectively. Some physicians and hospitals also realize that getting on a clinic’s referral list is a way to generate new business, and welcome the opportunity.
As with any new and fast–growing trend, you can expect that there will be new rules and regulations. according to an article in family Practice Management, the american academy of family Physicians (aafP) has compiled a list of “desired attributes” for the retail health clinic business, which includes the following:
- Well–defined and limited scope of clinical services.
- Clinical services and treatment that is evidence–based and quality–improvement oriented.
- A connection with the physician practices located within the community, preferably family physicians, in order to provide continuity of care. other health professionals such as nurse practitioners should only operate in accordance with state and local regulations as part of a “team–based” approach to health care as prescribed by the future of family Medicine report and under responsible supervision of a practicing, licensed physician.
- A referral system to physician practices or to other entities appropriate to the patient’s symptoms beyond the clinic’s scope of work. The clinic should encourage all patients to have a “medical home.”
- The clinic should have an electronic health records system sufficient to gather and communicate the patient’s information with the family physician’s office, preferably one that is compatible with the continuity of care Record supported by aafP and others.
If you or a family member requires the services of a retail clinic, please keep these factors in mind, and remember that the clinic is not there to replace the family practitioner, but rather, to complement their practice.
