Retail Medical Mini-Clinics
Quick-Fix Solutions

Time-squeezed patients can now get a strep throat culture, a flu shot, or even sinus infection treatment at some Wal-Mart or Target stores, CVS pharmacies, and local supermarkets. But don't ask for the doctor.

Across the country, a small but rapidly growing number of convenience medical clinics staffed by nurse practitioners are sharing space in supermarkets, discount retail chains, malls, corporate offices, and pharmacies. They offer an array of basic primary-care services from immunizations to tests and treatments for common infections.

These mini-clinics are designed to treat the minor everyday ailments that often clog the waiting rooms and calendars of time-crunched primary-care physicians. The clinics promote themselves as the fast solution to the harried working parent whose child has a bad cough or the go-go professional who wants to have a sinus infection checked out during the lunch hour.

However, these quickie clinic companies will be the first to say they are no substitute for an established relationship with a primary-care physician or for hospital emergency rooms. For instance, they do not treat chronic conditions like hypertension, asthma, or diabetes.

Indeed, these clinics do not want regular customers, and any patient who returns repeatedly or shows signs of chronic disease is flagged and referred to a primary-care doctor.

Unlike physicians' offices, these convenience clinics keep their doors open as long as their landlords' doors are open, often from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends.

And also, unlike physicians' offices, there is no need for an appointment. The patient walks into a small sitting area staffed by a single nurse practitioner surrounded by a minimal amount of medical equipment.

However, some clinics offer "cash-only" services and may not accept your insurance. There is still controversy over this new type of "quick-fix" medical solution, but parents will need to consider whether it fits into your family's health care plans.

Source: www.medpagetoday.com