The Retail Clinic Revolution, and Why Physicians (and Hospitals) Should Take Notice

Having had difficulty getting an appointment the day I was sick, or getting in early in the morning or late in the afternoon, I see the value of these type of clinics. I was ill with bronchitis a month ago. Was not able to call off work, unable to take any time off as I had just had surgery the month before and no sick time left. I went to a clinic that was set up in a local Eckerd pharmacy. I did not have to wait, I was seen by a PA. She was knowlegable and thorough. She did pulse ox, peak flows, and did a head to toe assessment. And she sent scripts right over to the pharmacy counter. When I was finished paying her, my scripts were ready. Of course the PA recommended followup with my PCP, which I did the next week. I was able to make an appointment ahead of time so I was in and out early morning. By then the acute phase of my illness had passed, I was feeling better, but my PCP wanted to followup with a CXR just to make sure. As the article says, PCP's should be more in tune with their patients needs, or they will lose lots of business.

Called a month ago to make an appointment with my Gyn to discuss treatment options for my monthly "killer cramps". Told that I could not make an appointment but that the "nurse" would need to check with the MD to see if I needed an appointment or not. Was told he was on vacation for a couple of days but that they would get back to me. Still waiting for a call back....
The last time I had bronchitis my regular GP could not see me so I went to an Urgent Care facility. Wow! They accepted my insurance, I only had to wait 15 minutes, and the NP took great care of me. By the way, this was at 7:30PM which worked out great for me so my husband could watch the kids. These clinics WILL take off and in my opinion take some of the burden off of overcrowded Emergency Rooms.

I just got home from vacation in Spain, and returned coughing up green sputum, which is not necessarily a good thing. I listened to my lungs, but I would certainly like my primary care physician, Dr. H., to diagnose me. So I attempt to make an appointment. I call at 8AM on a Monday, and the surly appointment lady tells me Dr. H has "nothing". (Imagine the word "nothing" pronounced as triumphant, smirking exclamation.) Okay, how about tomorrow? "Dr. H. has 'nothing'!" Okay, do any other doctors have an acute care appointment today? "We have nothing!"

So much for doctor-patient relationship. Anyway, after some research, I decided I just have a viral case of bronchitis, and will go without medical care. However, there is a Wal-Mart just a mile away from me. If their immediate care facility was open, I just might have gone down to the NP to see what's up.

I would LOVE to have a doctor-patient relationship, but I also require that when I'm sick, maybe I could actually SEE that doctor.

Oh well, maybe I'll just treat myself with antibiotics I picked up in a Mexican airport.

oldiebutgoodie

In my town, they were the only ones who had pediatric flu shots last season. I couldn't get them at my peds office or even through the state health dept. They did a good job of diagnosing and treating a nasty sinus infection I had over the winter, too. No waiting and a pharmacy just a few feet away. Can't beat that--and insurance covers visits, too. Of course, I do have a bias towards NP's who happen to staff the local offices . . .

I would go to a walk in retail clinic to treat something and not think twice. It's quick, easy, and convenient.

My current PCP is an office with no appointments. You just walk in. It's a group of 9 FNPs. It works well and you hardly have to wait.

????



Back on topic, I hope family medicine docs take notice about the retail clinics in addition to worrying about regulating the industry.

Ooooh, you are on top of things, questioning my diagnosis of viral bronchitis vs. antibiotics I picked up in a Mexican airport.

Amazingly, I know that viruses are not treated with antibiotics. That was HUMOR.

But glad to know that you have learned about viruses and antibiotics in nursing school.

Oldiebutgoodie

The internet is a very poor medium for the dissemination of humor. I suggest using the following HTML tags:


[humor] BLAH BLAH BLAH [/humor]
[sarcasm] BLAH BLAH BLAH [/sarcasm]

IF insurance companies would reimburse these facilities for disease management this would be a good way for diabetics to get their foot care, a1c drawn ect.. when they were getting their prescriptions filled.