A RAND Corporation study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine suggests retail medical clinics may hurt physician-patient relationships and use of primary care services.
The number of retail medical clinics grew 10-fold from 2007 to 2009. The clinics are usually staffed by nurse practitioners and offer basic healthcare with clearly posted prices. For the study, researchers examined the linked between these clinics and use of primary care physicians.
The researchers found patients who visited a retail medical clinic for one of 11 common ailments were less likely to visit a primary care physician for the next year. These patients are also less likely to see the same physician for their medical needs, crippling continuity of care. Researchers were quick to note, however, that these results are not indicative of the quality of care at retail clinics.
The number of retail medical clinics grew 10-fold from 2007 to 2009. The clinics are usually staffed by nurse practitioners and offer basic healthcare with clearly posted prices. For the study, researchers examined the linked between these clinics and use of primary care physicians.
The researchers found patients who visited a retail medical clinic for one of 11 common ailments were less likely to visit a primary care physician for the next year. These patients are also less likely to see the same physician for their medical needs, crippling continuity of care. Researchers were quick to note, however, that these results are not indicative of the quality of care at retail clinics.
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