Retail clinics are a business approach for making money on common ailments (for example, sinus infection, pink-eye and ear infections) and serve the additional purpose of relieving a growing burden on hospital emergency rooms. You can find them located in drug stores, retail malls and on street corners. The American Medical Association has created basic requirements to ensure retail clinics deliver quality care. Their guidelines include use of evidence-based medical care protocols, a pre-established connection with the local physician community, use of electronic medical records and a clear means of notifying the patient about the credentials of the clinic providers. The number of retail clinics in the United States is reported to be over 1,000. They are typically staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants, and are low cost, easily accessible and convenient.
So, is there a downside? The problem comes from treatments based on a "shot in time" rather than medical decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of elder care. Most elders are on multiple medications, have more than one long-standing medical diagnosis and are best served by a visit to their primary care provider. Any new medications introduced or new diagnosis made during a 15-minute medical visit needs to be evaluated in light of the elder's overall health situation. This is hard to do within the time constraints of a retail clinic visit and by providers who do not have access to background information. That said, there are some ways elders can utilize this convenient means of a medical "look-see" without serious risk. Here are some tips:
1. Take your drug diary (a list of all information related to your current medication routine) along on your visit to the clinic.
2. Be sure to mention any allergies or adverse reactions to food or medication you might have had in the past.
3. If its recommended that you add a new medication to your current routine, call your primary care physician to get his or her approval of the addition and before taking the new drug.
4. Don't use the retail clinic instead of an emergency room. If you have serious symptoms that might indicate a heart attack or a serious respiratory condition, stroke or a broken bone, go to the emergency room. You will save yourself time as the retail clinic provider will likely send you there anyway.
5. Do take advantage of the convenience of a retail clinic for annual flu or pneumonia shots, routine blood pressure checks or routine tests for such as cholesterol levels.
Retail clinics offer a quick and easy way to access medical providers. They are a great resource for patients who have moved to a new locale and have no current medical provider or preferred physician. They are less desirable for patients who have an established medical provider relationship in their local area and who have multiple or chronic medical conditions.
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