The Rise of Retail Care Clinics: Making Healthcare More Accessible - Essay Sample

Introduction

Recent years have witnessed a rise in the prominence of retail care clinics. The trend is aimed at making healthcare more convenient. In the past, one had to visit an emergency department when they fell sick. However, the emergence of retail clinics has increased the number of options available to the patient. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 2,000 retail clinics in the country (Godman, 2016). The clinics are usually located in supermarkets, drug stores, and other big retail chain settings. They operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. all week and are usually served by nurse practitioners or physician assistants (Godman, 2016). The number of retail care clinics in Houston, Texas has been growing over the years in response to a demand for more convenient health services (Hines, 2014). Some of the retail care facilities in the city include Urgent Care Clinic, Excell Urgent Care Clinic, City Family Clinic, among others. This paper seeks to explore the pro and cons of retail care clinics and also discuss reimbursement barriers for APRNs working in these settings.

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Retail care clinics have several benefits for the patient. First, they are easy to find, have extended hours, and one does not need an appointment. They are also 30-40% cheaper than a visit to a doctor's office, and 80% cheaper than a visit to the emergency room (Godman, 2016). The facilities also take Medicare and private insurance hence making it more convenient for the patients.

However, retail care clinics have been accused of offering poorer quality care, though research has determined that the care given is equal to doctor's visit since the national guidelines are followed in both situations. The facilities may also not be appropriate for all populations since the complications associated with different conditions vary according to age. Moreover, the details of a visit to a retail care clinic may not be sent to the doctor. The scattered care leads to mix-ups. Continuity of care has also been shown to be poorer in retail care clinics (Heath, 2019). A study carried out in the Houston metropolitan area established that the continuity of care in retail care clinics is concerning, particularly for patients with chronic medical conditions (Abara, Huang, Raji, & Kuo, 2019).

The success of retail care clinics depends on collaboration with other health systems. However, the fee-for-service reimbursement model has discouraged such collaborations since retail care clinics are seen as a competitive threat to both physicians and health systems (Copeland, Raynor, Elsener, & Carter, 2016). Regarding compensation, nurses are not impaneled as primary care providers for Medicare or Medicaid Advantage managed care enrolls. They may also not be included as providers for covered services. These factors have acted as barriers for APRNs working in retail care clinics (Institute of Medicine (US), 2011).

Since their inception in the early 2000s, retail care clinics have completely revolutionized the healthcare system. The facilities are associated with various advantages such as an increase in convenience and affordability of services. However, they have been linked with disadvantages such as the disruption of the continuity of care, especially among the old. Moreover, though the number of clinics has greatly risen over the years, various barriers have limited the growth of the facilities as well as the involvement of APRNs. For instance, reimbursement remains a huge challenge that must be addressed for retail care clinics to achieve their full potential.

References

Abara, N. O., Huang, N., Raji, M. A., & Kuo, Y. F. (2019). Effect of retail clinic use on continuity of care among medicare beneficiaries. he Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 32(4), 531-538. Retrieved from https://www.jabfm.org/content/32/4/531.abstract

Copeland, B., Raynor, M. E., Elsener, N., & Carter, R. (2016, October 14). Beyond the acute episode. Retrieved from Deloitte: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/retail-clinics-chronic-care-management.html

Godman, H. (2016, January 15). Retail health clinics: The pros and cons. Retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/retail-health-clinics-the-pros-and-cons-201601158979

Heath, S. (2019, August 5). Continuity of Care Left Wanting in Retail Health Clinic Access. Retrieved from Patient Engagement Hit: https://patientengagementhit.com/news/continuity-of-care-left-wanting-in-retail-health-clinic-access

Hines, L. (2014, April 11). Retail clinics compete for pediatricians' patients. Retrieved from Houston Chronic: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/medical/article/Retail-clinics-compete-for-pediatricians-patients-5396524.php

Institute of Medicine (US). (2011). Transforming Practice. In The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (pp. 85-162). Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956/the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health