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High Growth, High Reward: CONVENIENT CARE CLINICS
JNP
Special Recruitment Section
High Growth, High Reward: CONVENIENT CARE CLINICS
Classifieds
Born of a desire to create convenient, affordable access to basic health care, the convenient care clinic (CCC) industry has expanded exponentially in less than a decade and helped millions of consumers resolve simple health problems at prices they can handle. By setting up shop in retail settings or stand-alone facilities near hospitals, CCCs are meeting basic needs at hours, prices, and locations suited to patients who do not want to wait in overcrowded physician offices or emergency rooms. Other locations include airports and some “medical malls” that are not necessarily located with pharmacies in retail outlets. Most CCCs are staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners. According to the Convenient Care Association (CCA), these clinics have seen more than 3.5 million patients for common ailments, physicals, health screenings, vaccinations, and preventive care. Patients understand that the clinics are meant to address acute rather than chronic care. The 10 most common diagnoses (comprising 90% of clinic business) include upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media (middle ear infection), otitis externa (external ear infection), pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infection, immunization, screening blood pressure check or lab test. A study by RAND Health published in Health Affairs found that these same clinical problems made up 13% of adult visits to a primary care provider (PCP), 30% of pediatric PCP visits, and 12% of ER visits. Even more importantly, CCCs have become an entry through which people without a primary care provider can connect to a comprehensive and more permanent health care home through referrals by clinic staff. According to the RAND study, 60% of the patients seeking care at a retail clinic do not have a PCP. The CCA says patients who have a problem outside the scope of conditions treated at a CCC or a chronic condition that needs ongoing care by a local PCP are referred to another medical professional. “This systematic process makes retail-based clinics a critical portal for connecting patients into the health care delivery system.”
Patients pay $40 to $80 per visit, depending on the nature of the care. Many CCCs have contracts with major insurers, too, so patients strapped for time as well as uninsured patients can take advantage of the clinics. The time has never been better for this type of business and health care model. The CCA reports, “There have been 3 years of consecutive growth in the retail clinic industry. To date, more than 1,000 clinics are in operation; when the association was created in 2006, there were fewer than 200.” What does this trend offer nurse practitioners with excellent diagnostic skills and easy rapport with patients? The CCA says, “This model of care requires clinicians to interact more with consumers and ensure that they have a pleasant experience as well as accurately treating the patients’ condition or referring them to other sources of care within the health care community. A collaborative spirit is also an essential skill, as it is important to view your clinic as part of the larger health care community and to refer cases beyond the scope of care provided at the clinic.” A 2007 survey2 found that staff work primarily in chain drugstores or discount retail store clinics, more than half have worked in a CCC more than 1 year, and 64% came from a physician office or hospital ER. What things should NPs consider when thinking about working in a retail clinic? The CCA advises, “As with any career, it is very important to identify with the vision and goals of your company. The goals of the industry are to improve affordable access to quality, convenient care, and these are ideals that nurse practitioners in this particular industry should also embrace.” Check out the opportunities on the following pages to join this exciting industry. 1. Mehrotra A, Wang MC, Lave JR, Adams JL, McGlynn EA. Retail clinics, primary care physicians, and emergency departments: a comparison of patients’ visits. Health Affairs 2008;27(5):1272-1282. 2. Retail Clinician reader survey. 2003.
Special Recruitment Section
High Growth, High Reward: CONVENIENT CARE CLINICS
Classifieds
Born of a desire to create convenient, affordable access to basic health care, the convenient care clinic (CCC) industry has expanded exponentially in less than a decade and helped millions of consumers resolve simple health problems at prices they can handle. By setting up shop in retail settings or stand-alone facilities near hospitals, CCCs are meeting basic needs at hours, prices, and locations suited to patients who do not want to wait in overcrowded physician offices or emergency rooms. Other locations include airports and some “medical malls” that are not necessarily located with pharmacies in retail outlets. Most CCCs are staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners. According to the Convenient Care Association (CCA), these clinics have seen more than 3.5 million patients for common ailments, physicals, health screenings, vaccinations, and preventive care. Patients understand that the clinics are meant to address acute rather than chronic care. The 10 most common diagnoses (comprising 90% of clinic business) include upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis media (middle ear infection), otitis externa (external ear infection), pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infection, immunization, screening blood pressure check or lab test. A study by RAND Health published in Health Affairs found that these same clinical problems made up 13% of adult visits to a primary care provider (PCP), 30% of pediatric PCP visits, and 12% of ER visits. Even more importantly, CCCs have become an entry through which people without a primary care provider can connect to a comprehensive and more permanent health care home through referrals by clinic staff. According to the RAND study, 60% of the patients seeking care at a retail clinic do not have a PCP. The CCA says patients who have a problem outside the scope of conditions treated at a CCC or a chronic condition that needs ongoing care by a local PCP are referred to another medical professional. “This systematic process makes retail-based clinics a critical portal for connecting patients into the health care delivery system.”
Patients pay $40 to $80 per visit, depending on the nature of the care. Many CCCs have contracts with major insurers, too, so patients strapped for time as well as uninsured patients can take advantage of the clinics. The time has never been better for this type of business and health care model. The CCA reports, “There have been 3 years of consecutive growth in the retail clinic industry. To date, more than 1,000 clinics are in operation; when the association was created in 2006, there were fewer than 200.” What does this trend offer nurse practitioners with excellent diagnostic skills and easy rapport with patients? The CCA says, “This model of care requires clinicians to interact more with consumers and ensure that they have a pleasant experience as well as accurately treating the patients’ condition or referring them to other sources of care within the health care community. A collaborative spirit is also an essential skill, as it is important to view your clinic as part of the larger health care community and to refer cases beyond the scope of care provided at the clinic.” A 2007 survey2 found that staff work primarily in chain drugstores or discount retail store clinics, more than half have worked in a CCC more than 1 year, and 64% came from a physician office or hospital ER. What things should NPs consider when thinking about working in a retail clinic? The CCA advises, “As with any career, it is very important to identify with the vision and goals of your company. The goals of the industry are to improve affordable access to quality, convenient care, and these are ideals that nurse practitioners in this particular industry should also embrace.” Check out the opportunities on the following pages to join this exciting industry. 1. Mehrotra A, Wang MC, Lave JR, Adams JL, McGlynn EA. Retail clinics, primary care physicians, and emergency departments: a comparison of patients’ visits. Health Affairs 2008;27(5):1272-1282. 2. Retail Clinician reader survey. 2003.