Retail Clinic Concept Hasn't Taken Off Yet
Study Says Consumers Slow to Embrace Affordable Health Care Option
May 17, 2009
While consumers constantly seek convenient and affordable options, particularly with today’s uncertain economy, they have been slow to do so regarding healthcare, according to a recent Wall Street Journal.com/Harris Interactive study.
Survey Says Clinics not Very Popular Yet
Only seven percent of households surveyed had visited retail clinics, a figure that has remained consistent the past four years the company has conducted such surveys. But those who have used these services have been either very or somewhat satisfied with the quality of care (90%), cost (86%) and convenience (93%) of retail clinics.
While retail healthcare clinics have been reality for nearly 10 years -- and now include more than 700 locations across the nation – the concept has yet to take off in a major way according to the May, 2008 online survey of 4,937 adults in the U.S.
Focus on Basic Illnesses Shortens Wait Times
Serving patients over the age of 18 months, the clinics accept most health insurance. Covered patients are responsible for their normal co-pay, but the clinics also welcome those without insurance.
The clinics, usually located within drugstores and featuring patient wait times often under 30 minutes, don’t require appointments. They focus on basic healthcare, such as vaccines and treatment for common illnesses like ear infections, pink eye and sinus infections.
Goal is not to Replace Family Doctor
"The primary focus for retail healthcare centers is convenience and affordable healthcare," said Elizabeth Rowe, MinuteClinic’s Manager of Operations for Orange County/Inland Empire North in California. "We are a good avenue, if you wake up sick or get off work sick and are unable to get into your primary care physician ... to still be able to receive healthcare. (Retail clinics) provides relief for the younger age group or the busy families, stressed parents on the go ... who need convenient healthcare for a sick child."
The clinics are also popular with the elderly and others seeking flu shots throughout flu season.
While some hail the retail clinic concept as a key to national healthcare reform, those who run the clinics say they are only looking to be a convenient alternative to family doctors and traditional clinics, not a replacement for them.
Quality of Care a Concern
According to the May 2008 WSJ.com/Harris poll, 65% of those polled were either somewhat or strongly worried about the qualifications of the staff in a health clinic not run by medical doctors. That same percentage was either somewhat or strongly worried that serious medical problems might not be accurately diagnosed by staff working in a retail clinic.
Concerns about the quality of care are "clearly unfounded," said Rowe, citing the qualifications of staff and the safeguards and policies in place.
MinuteClinic is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, which evaluates and certifies nearly 15,000 healthcare organizations in the U.S., including hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories and rehabilitation centers. The clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners, who are registered nurses with advanced training in preventing, diagnosing and treating illness.
In addition, a collaborating physician (medical director) is on call during all hours of operation.
One of the biggest concerns about retail healthcare, both from the medical community and consumers, is the quality of care patients receive.
Other Safeguards in Place
At the end of each visit, the organization’s software program automatically sends a report to the patient’s primary care provider’s office. Patients without a primary care provider are referred to doctors seeking new patients.
Patients whose illnesses aren’t regularly treated at MinuteClinics are referred to their own physicians. Those who have a chronic or critical condition are referred to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. The clinic does not charge patients it can’t treat.
Regarding diagnoses, MinuteClinic uses an electronic medical records system for patient assessment and treatment that follows national guidelines from the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
