According to the latest Wall Street Journal.com/Harris Interactive healthcare study, retail-based health clinics still rank high with users due in part to their convenience, quality of care and cost.
The American Public Health Association estimates that as of December 2007 there are approximately 700 retail-based healthcare clinics operating in the United States. The clinics are in stores such as Walgreens, Target and Wal-Mart and are usually staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They provide routine medical services like strep throat tests, flu shots and sports physicals without an appointment, for fees that range from $25 to $60 per visit.
On the whole, 86 percent of those surveyed said they were either very or somewhat satisfied with the cost of these clinics. This was up by 6 percent from 2005 and 2007.
It also found that 78 percent either strongly or somewhat agreed that these clinics provide low-cost basic services to people who otherwise might not be able to afford care.
The survey found that 30 percent of patients who use retail-based healthcare clinics do not have a primary care provider. However - in the biggest change from last year's survey - the percentage of adults whose health insurance covered some or all of the costs at the clinic went from 42 percent in 2007 to 62 percent in 2008. Researchers say this reflects a trend in the industry of health insurance plans covering the services of retail-based clinics, and could also be related to the insured using the clinics more for the convenience factor.
The survey found that 93 percent of respondents were either very or somewhat satisfied with the convenience that these clinics offered.
Eighty-one percent of respondents either strongly or somewhat agreeing that onsite health clinics provide basic medical services to people at times when doctors' offices are closed, like evenings and weekends.
When it comes to satisfaction with the staff provided by the clinics, 88 percent of participants said they were very or somewhat satisfied.
Although the clinics continue to be a destination for comparatively routine services like vaccinations and care of respiratory infections and public acceptance is continuing to rise, the survey found the clinics are not particularly appealing for more serious conditions.
For example, 65 percent of those surveyed said they would be worried that serious medical problems might not be accurately diagnosed by someone working in an onsite health clinic.
"Advocates believe retail based clinics fill a gap in healthcare access for our nation of more than 40 million uninsured. On the other hand, organizations such as the American Medical Association are concerned that the quality of care could suffer, and that these clinics would not be held to the same standards as medical offices," said Richard Millard, group president at Harris Interactive.
Harris Interactive conducted the online survey between May 2 and 6 among a national cross section of 4,937 adults age 18 and over for The Wall Street Journal Online's Health Industry Edition.
Do retail clinics meet your needs medically and financially? E-mail Associate Editor Molly Merrill @ molly.merrill@medtechpublishing.com