so why don't you go to the wallmart clinic instead of your internist/urologist/cardiologist/pulmonologist/rheumatologist? That's what I though, jag-off...

I don't get why people feel so threatened by this. It's another choice for patients, and I like knowing that walk-in clinics are available. I don't have a chronic illness, so when I'm sick it's not realistic for me to be able to make an appointment a week in advance to be seen. I can't exactly say okay on August 10th I'm going to have a high fever, so I better go ahead and make that appointment now. Going to a walk-in clinic and being seen when I need to be seen is a good option, and one I've exercised.

I think most people at one time or another, have used a walk-in clinic. I see no problem with that. What I have a small problem with, is the fact that they are merging a medical, walk-in clinic with a huge conglomerate, like Wal-mart. "Faster service, less wait time, more convenient" doesn't equal good service, or adequate time spent with a patient. I work for Wal-mart in one of their pharmacy's, and patients are run in and out of there like cattle, and that's the same thing that would eventually happen in a medical care clinic setting, if it was set up inside a retail store.
I do think there is a need for more walk-in clinics, but not clinics that are run by drugstores, or superchains. Either keep clinics affiliated with a nearby hospital, or incorporate themselves to be independent.

The real question is are you willing to sacrifice your quality of care? These are Nurse Practitioners functioning in a provider role. Few are as competent as physicians. They are qualified to diagnose and treat MINOR health problems & most have to function under a physican's supervision. Many patients see their doctor for something they consider minor...finding out from their doctor it is something much more serious. What if it is misdiagnosed? Is Walmart going to be represented in a malpractice suit when there is a medical catastrophe? Do yourselves a favor and stay with the experts. They've gone to medical school for a reason & that expertise may save your life! Medicaine does not belong in the fast food world.

Anon. 2:34 said, "The real question is are you willing to sacrifice your quality of care?...Few are as competent as physicians..." It really doesn't matter how competent the physician is if I need to be seen and can't get in for a week. If a person has a UTI or something else that needs prompt treatment a week long wait is going to compromise a patient's health more than if they could get in and be seen by a nurse practioner.

Anon 6:20

Talking to the voices in your head again? One might suspect that such is the case given that you are exhibiting a propensity for answering your own questions. I can only hope to see the day when the MDs have to compete in a market for customers just like every other business.

Anon 2:34

Is Walmart going to be represented in a malpractice suit when there is a medical catastrophe? Do yourselves a favor and stay with the experts. They've gone to medical school for a reason & that expertise may save your life!

You must be kidding... trying to use the malpractice scare? Who is it that whines the most about being held responsible for professional malpractice? Who is it that demands special legal protections from professional malpractice litigations? Hint: It isn't Wal-mart.

It is neither a threat nor a significant concern for quality. Walk-in clinics have their own concerns regarding liability and practice limits. The last thing they will want is to have hostile relations with the community providers. If I were an internist, I would stop by when the nurse was on duty, leave some of my cards and offer to help where I could. I would want them around, because they are a source of referral, which is something primary care physicians should be cultivating. (They also should be cultivating referral from specialists; believe it or not that kind of referral works too.)

This is a good thing, not a bad thing.

What is to rebut? It probably would work. But the only way it would work is to demand cash up front with no exceptions. No four-pocket checkout shuffle, No Medicare or Medicaid cards, no insurance cards or anything that defers payment or leaves to persons not present the payment to the provider. Those who can't/won't pay can take a hike.

Oops, I meant to say I didn't feel $70 for a general office visit was unfair - I thought I got a pretty good deal.

"I think $70 is fair. . ." Personally, I'm such a tigh-ass, I wouldn't pay $70 for anything short of stitches. If we want to encourage preventative care, we have to recognize how cost changes pts willingness to visit the dr. More importantly, you have to realize that the major critisim (unfounded) of cash based practices is that they're "for the rich".

You have a point, I didn't go for preventative care - I was already sick and so $70 with no extra cost for prescription RX seemed like a good deal, but would I have spent it on preventative care with my income at that time- probably not. I would love to talk to people who believe cash based practices are for the rich, because at the time I used this walk-in clinic I was working retail and making barely enough to survive. Taking a look around the waiting room I could tell that the people there were in a similar situation to my own - far from rich. Not saying this as a sob story but just to point out that people can in many cases find the money to pay for things they value. If I had had a chronic illness, though, the situation would have been very different. I would not have been able to continue to pay that $70 fee on a regular basis.

Why not? Clinics are meant to be convenient and help the customer as well as the company. The drug stores are getting into the walk-in clinic business. By operating a clinic out of a drug store, like Walgreens and CVS, you will be able to get the treatment you need and the medication as well. These clinics are operated by Take Care Health Clinic.

http://www.WalgreensClinic.org