Retail health clinics have been popping up throughout the United States since the early 2000s. You may have seen them in grocery stores or pharmacies. Someone you know may even use one regularly.
These facilities offer a limited number of services to the general public. But what do professionals who work in traditional care settings need to know about them? Understanding retail healthcare trends and how to collaborate with these partners is crucial for PCPs.
What Is Retail Healthcare?
Retail health is a newer development in the industry, though it’s now well-known. These clinics are inside stores and pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger. Nurse practitioners and physician associates commonly provide diagnoses and treatments at these locations.
In general, retail health facilities can only treat minor illnesses and injuries, such as:
- Cold
- Flu
- UTI
- Pink eye
- Skin conditions
- Mild cuts and burns
These practitioners may also provide health screenings and immunizations in some cases.
Retail Healthcare Trends
Healthcare professionals have been wary of retail clinics from the start, but that hasn’t stopped patients from using them. Here are some trends and observations to keep an eye on:
Why Patients Choose Retail Clinics
People may opt for retail healthcare over their primary care office for plenty of reasons. For example, most are open longer (including after work hours) and on weekends, which provides greater flexibility.
One study found that patients often chose these clinics for one (or more) of these reasons:
- Convenient location
- Timely appointments when their PCP is unavailable
- Fixed and transparent pricing
Additionally, most allow walk-ins and take private insurance and Medicare.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Use Retail Clinics
Despite the benefits of retail healthcare, it may not be appropriate for everyone. PCPs should educate patients about when these clinics are optimal.
For example, older adults and people with chronic health conditions may need more complex care than these clinics offer. These “major” symptoms are also a sign that a person should seek help from their family doctor or an ER:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Long-term cough in older adults
- Changes to pre-existing conditions
However, people in good health can see a retail provider if they have acute conditions or need a backup for their PCP.
How Primary Care Offices and Retail Clinics Can Work Together
Aside from educating patients on when to use retail health, PCPs can take other steps to create a collaborative process. Some suggestions include:
- Encourage patients to schedule regular appointments with their PCP
- Increase appointment access and flexibility at your facility
- Open communication lines with retail clinics to receive updates about patient care
- Add in-home care options to your services
- Refer non-urgent, same-day needs to partner clinics, including retail facilities, to free up time for other patient needs
By collaborating with retail offices, both teams can make healthcare more efficient and effective.
If you want to stay updated on the latest health trends and how they affect your practice, try continuing medical education (CME). These in-person and online workshops can help you make more informed medical decisions.
