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What's in Store for Health Care

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are at least 89 clinics in retail pharmacies today. By the end of 2007, there may be hundreds or even thousands of these facilities.

For many people, retail clinics are a convenient and affordable alternative for minor health problems. Yet some people use retail clinics as a substitute for primary care.

Some have suggested that retail medical clinics lack a well-defined scope of practice and can compromise quality. On the other hand, their increasing popularity with consumers suggests retail clinics may be here to stay.

DOC News asked:

Is there a place for retail medical clinics in the care of people with diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease?

I think not. People who have illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are complex cases that need regular follow-up. A retail medical clinic isn't designed to provide comprehensive care, and they can't provide the continuity of care these people need.

George Twaroski Medical Technologist Manitowac, Wisc.

No. Retail clinics should not take care of those kinds of patients. A retail clinic might be okay for an X-ray of an arm or some minor emergency. But they aren't meant to treat serious medical problems. Diabetes needs to be managed carefully, and you can't get that at one of these clinics. I wouldn't want somebody in my family going to one.

Mohsin Alhaddad Internal Medicine Resident Indianapolis, Ind.

The question is not, is there a place for these clinics? Consumers have firmly answered "yes," and entrepreneurial pharmacies and health care workers are quickly jumping on board. The answer is a compromise: First, find out why your patients are going to a "doc-in-a-box." Is it hard to get in to see the doctor or physician's assistant when an unexpected need occurs? Is it something even simpler, like difficulty getting through on the telephone, rude front office staff, or difficulty in finding a place to park? Second, if your patients are utilizing this resource, try to work with them to define what can be cared for at that level, and what is better off being seen in your practice. But remember, fundamentally health care is just another customer-based service. If your customer-patients are going elsewhere, you'd better ask yourself why!

Cynthia Elliott Project Director Silver Spring, Md.

TALK BACK: GOVERNMENT MANDATES

According to a recent study, 72% of Americans think the government should require health insurance companies to cover obesity treatment and prevention programs ("Americans Favor Policy Changes on Obesity," see page 6).

What do you think? Should the federal government require health insurance companies to cover obesity treatment and prevention programs?

Send your comments to docnews{at}diabetes.org.

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Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Related Collections Related Article Social Bookmarking                What's this?