Retail Healthcare News

According to the latest WSJ.com/Harris Interactive health care study, U.S. adults who have used these health clinics in a pharmacy or retail chain are generally pleased, as almost all are very/somewhat satisfied with the quality of the care (90%), cost (86%) and staff qualifications (88%). As in prior surveys on this topic, the biggest driver of satisfaction appears to be convenience, with 73 percent very satisfied and another 20 percent somewhat satisfied with the convenience of these clinics. These clinics continue to be a destination for comparatively routine services like vaccinations and care of respiratory infections, and while public acceptance is increasing, they not particularly appealing for attention to more serious conditions.

Additional results of the online survey of 4,937 U.S. adults conducted by Harris Interactive® between May 2 and 6, 2008 for the Wall Street Journal Online’s Health Industry Edition include:

• The use of retail-based health clinics has remained consistent over the past few years, with seven percent of U.S. household in 2005, five percent in 2007 and again seven percent in 2008 saying they have done so;
• Thirty percent of patients who use retail-based healthcare clinics do not have a primary care provider;
• U.S. adults believe retail-based healthcare clinics can provide low-cost basic services to people who cannot afford care (78%) and to anyone at times when doctors’ offices are closed (81%);
• Although an increasing number say they are satisfied with staff qualifications, majorities are worried about the qualifications of the staff (65%) and that serious medical problems might not be accurately diagnosed (65%).

Richard Millard, Group President at Harris Interactive, said, “Advocates believe retail based clinics fill a gap in healthcare access for our nation of more than 40 million uninsured. On the other hand, organizations such as the American Medical Association are concerned that the quality of care could suffer, and that these clinics would not be held to the same standards as medical offices.”

The study also found that:

• Similar to last year, the clinics are most frequently used for vaccinations (40%) and treatments for a common medical condition like an ear infection or cold (39%).
• Use for preventive screening tests and physical exams for sports and school increased slightly this year;
• The biggest change from last year’s results is that the percentage of adults whose health insurance covered some or all of the costs at the clinic went from 42 percent in 2007 to 62 percent in 2008. This reflects a trend in the industry of health insurance plans covering the services of retail-based clinics, and could also be related to the insured using the clinics more for the convenience factor.

Source: HealthNewsDigest.com
Original Publication Date: May 21, 2008