Convenient care clinic
Encyclopedia
Convenient care clinics (CCCs) are health care
clinics located in retail stores, supermarket
s and pharmacies
that treat uncomplicated minor illnesses and provide preventative health care
services. They are sometimes called "retail clinics", “retail-based clinics” or "walk-in medical clinics." CCCs are usually staffed by nurse practitioner
s (NPs) or physician assistant
s (PAs). Some CCCs, however, are staffed by physician
s.
. Most CCCs are open seven days a week – twelve hours a day during the workweek and eight hours a day on the weekend. Because CCCs are such a new development, only a small percentage of Americans have received health care
in a CCC setting. It is estimated, however, that the number of CCCs will increase dramatically in the near future.
The 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers, from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, finds the appetite for retail medical clinics is real, and growing, and the potential for future success substantial. The following statistics demonstrate the increase in consumer interest in retail clinics.
The survey says that these clinics are particularly popular among those who are identified as:
A major driver of the walk-in clinic growth trend is the focus on cost. As more patients with higher deductibles seek out care options, the reduced cost of retail settings is a viable option for routine care. For example, according to one analyis, the typical cost of diagnosing an earache was $59 at a retail or walk-in provider, $95 in doctor's office, $135 at urgent care, $184 in an emergency room.
CCCs also provide preventative care, including health screenings, vaccination
s, and physical exams. They may serve as sample collection points for blood
, urine
and feces
for laboratory tests, which are then sent to external labs.
By definition, CCCs offer a more narrow range of services (usually limited to 25 - 30 of the most common diagnoses) than are offered in traditional primary care
offices. This limited scope of services is seen in both nurse practitioner and physician-staffed CCCs, and is an integral part of the CCC model.
s (NPs) or other advanced practice nurse
s. Some CCCs are staffed by Physician Assistant
s (PAs).
Nurse Practitioner
s are registered nurse
s with advanced education and training who provide a broad scope of health care services. NPs engage in health promotion
, patient evaluation, treatment, diagnosis
, education, counseling, case management and coordination of care. One study found that patients of advanced practice nurse
s had similar outcome
s to patients of primary care physician
s.
Physician Assistant
s are health care
professionals licensed to practice medicine under physician
supervision. With appropriate training and supervision, PAs can provide health care
that is similar in quality to that of a primary care physician
.
Nurse Practitioner
Physician
Physician Assistant
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
clinics located in retail stores, supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
s and pharmacies
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
that treat uncomplicated minor illnesses and provide preventative health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
services. They are sometimes called "retail clinics", “retail-based clinics” or "walk-in medical clinics." CCCs are usually staffed by nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
s (NPs) or physician assistant
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
s (PAs). Some CCCs, however, are staffed by physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
s.
Overview
Currently, there are over 1,000 CCCs located throughout the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most CCCs are open seven days a week – twelve hours a day during the workweek and eight hours a day on the weekend. Because CCCs are such a new development, only a small percentage of Americans have received health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
in a CCC setting. It is estimated, however, that the number of CCCs will increase dramatically in the near future.
The 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers, from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, finds the appetite for retail medical clinics is real, and growing, and the potential for future success substantial. The following statistics demonstrate the increase in consumer interest in retail clinics.
- More than 1 in 3 consumers surveyed are receptive to the idea of using retail clinics
- 1 in 6 already have
- Interest in retail clinics is especially high among "baby boomerBaby boomerA baby boomer is a person who was born during the demographic Post-World War II baby boom and who grew up during the period between 1946 and 1964. The term "baby boomer" is sometimes used in a cultural context. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve broad consensus of a precise definition, even...
s", with nearly 38 percent saying they would use a retail clinic - By generation, seniors are the least likely and "millennials" are the most likely to use a retail clinic
The survey says that these clinics are particularly popular among those who are identified as:
- Being in better-than-average health
- More distrustful of hospitalHospitalA hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s and doctors - More likely to be suspicious of the medicationMedicationA pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
s that hospitals and doctors prescribe
A major driver of the walk-in clinic growth trend is the focus on cost. As more patients with higher deductibles seek out care options, the reduced cost of retail settings is a viable option for routine care. For example, according to one analyis, the typical cost of diagnosing an earache was $59 at a retail or walk-in provider, $95 in doctor's office, $135 at urgent care, $184 in an emergency room.
Services Provided
Most CCCs treat adults and children over the age of 18 months. CCCs treat common family illnesses, such as:- Cold and FluInfluenzaInfluenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
- Sinus InfectionsSinusitisSinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune issues. Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days...
- AllergiesAllergyAn Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur when a person's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. A substance that causes a reaction is called an allergen. These reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid...
- Minor injuriesInjury-By cause:*Traumatic injury, a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident*Other injuries from external physical causes, such as radiation injury, burn injury or frostbite*Injury from infection...
, burnBurnA burn is an injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction.Burn may also refer to:*Combustion*Burn , type of watercourses so named in Scotland and north-eastern England...
s and rashRashA rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and...
es - Pinkeye
- Sore throatLaryngitisLaryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds . Dysphonia is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause....
- HeadacheHeadacheA headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
s - Head lice
- Ringworms
- WartWartA wart is generally a small, rough growth, typically on a human’s hands or feet but often other locations, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. They are caused by a viral infection, specifically by human papillomavirus 2 and 7. There are as many as 10 varieties of warts, the most...
s - SprainSprainA sprain is an injury in a joint, caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain. In cases where either ligament or muscle tissue is torn, immobilization and surgical repair may be necessary...
s and strainStrain (injury)A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon in which the muscle fibres tear as a result of overstretching. A strain is also colloquially known as a pulled muscle...
s - BronchitisBronchitisAcute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infectionA urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Symptoms include frequent feeling and/or need to urinate, pain during urination, and cloudy urine. The main causal agent is Escherichia coli...
s - diarrheaDiarrheaDiarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
and intestinal infections
CCCs also provide preventative care, including health screenings, vaccination
Vaccination
Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material to stimulate the immune system of an individual to develop adaptive immunity to a disease. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by many pathogens...
s, and physical exams. They may serve as sample collection points for blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, urine
Urine
Urine is a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream...
and feces
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
for laboratory tests, which are then sent to external labs.
By definition, CCCs offer a more narrow range of services (usually limited to 25 - 30 of the most common diagnoses) than are offered in traditional primary care
Primary care
Primary care is the term for the health services by providers who act as the principal point of consultation for patients within a health care system...
offices. This limited scope of services is seen in both nurse practitioner and physician-staffed CCCs, and is an integral part of the CCC model.
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in Convenient Care Clinics
CCCs are usually staffed by Nurse PractitionerNurse practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
s (NPs) or other advanced practice nurse
Advanced practice nurse
An advanced practice registered nurse is a nurse with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing....
s. Some CCCs are staffed by Physician Assistant
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
s (PAs).
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
s are registered nurse
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
s with advanced education and training who provide a broad scope of health care services. NPs engage in health promotion
Health promotion
Health promotion has been defined by the World Health Organization's 2005 Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalized World as "the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health"...
, patient evaluation, treatment, diagnosis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships...
, education, counseling, case management and coordination of care. One study found that patients of advanced practice nurse
Advanced practice nurse
An advanced practice registered nurse is a nurse with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing....
s had similar outcome
Outcome
Outcome may refer to:* Outcome , a concept in game theory* The Outcome, a Swedish punk rock band* outcome measure in a clinical trial...
s to patients of primary care physician
Primary care physician
A primary care physician, or PCP, is a physician/medical doctor who provides both the first contact for a person with an undiagnosed health concern as well as continuing care of varied medical conditions, not limited by cause, organ system, or diagnosis....
s.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
s are health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
professionals licensed to practice medicine under physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
supervision. With appropriate training and supervision, PAs can provide health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
that is similar in quality to that of a primary care physician
Primary care physician
A primary care physician, or PCP, is a physician/medical doctor who provides both the first contact for a person with an undiagnosed health concern as well as continuing care of varied medical conditions, not limited by cause, organ system, or diagnosis....
.
Companies in the United States
As of the end of 2007, the top ten convenient care clinic operators in the United States were:| Company | Ownership |
| MinuteClinics | CVS |
| Take Care Clinics | Walgreens |
| The Little Clinic | |
| Redi Clinic | |
| Corner Care Clinic | |
| Target Clinics | |
| Checkups | |
| Aurora Quickcare | |
| Healthstop (SmartCare) | |
| Curaquick |
External links
- Health Care On Aisle 7: The Growing Phenomenon of Retail Clinics [Rand Health, November 2009]
- Comparing Costs and Quality of Care at Retail Clinics With That of Other Medical Settings for 3 Common Illnesses Annals of Internal Medicine, September 2009]
- Retail Clinics, Primary Care Physicians, And Emergency Departments: A Comparison Of Patients’ Visits [Health Affairs, September 2008]
- Health Care in the Express Lane: The Emergence of Retail Clinics (California HealthCare Foundation, July 2006)
- Health Care in the Express Lane: Retail Clinics Go Mainstream (California HealthCare Foundation, September 2007)
- USA Today - “Could Walk-In Clinics Help Slow Rising Health Care Costs?”
- KaiserNetwork.org - “Thousands More Retail-Based Clinics Expected to Open”
- ABC News - "Future of Health Care or Quick Fix?"
- Medscape - "Working in a Retail Clinic: What Nurse Practitioners Need to Ask"
- The New York Times Magazine: "The Year In Ideas: Walk-In Health Care"
- National Post (Canada) - "Attention Shoppers: Flu Shots in Aisle 3"
- Healthcare 311 - Searchable database of US retail clinics
- Healthcare 311 News - Healthcare 311 publisher's blog on the topics of retail clinics, convenient care, health innovations, and more
See also
Advanced Practice NurseAdvanced practice nurse
An advanced practice registered nurse is a nurse with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing....
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
Physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
Physician Assistant
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...