Nickname: The Former Army Nurse

Review: These clinics are also fun to work in! I have truly enjoyed serving clients while an FNP working at Minute Clinic since 9/07. Clients are always happy to see us and the fact that we are walk-in and have no or minimal waits. :)

Date reviewed: Feb 26, 2008 2:45 PM

Nickname: the almighty $

Review: Interesting to see the wide variety of comments. On the surface, you may think that this provides needed access to healthcare, however, the quick fix approach is not the appropriate method and should not be touted as a solution to the healthcare crisis. "Do you want a PAP smear with that?" is a phrase that I envision someone wearing a telephone headset uttering. Having worked in mainstream medicine for the past 25 years, I see this low overhead approach to medicine as a high volume cash cow for these retail establishments, feeding their pharmacies, and hey, while we are here let's get some toilet paper, motor oil, and some shotgun shells. It is important to see traditional medicine for what it should be - a relationship with a clinician who knows you, your medical history, and has a vested interest in your health, not a vested interest in your retail health dollar.

Date reviewed: Nov 26, 2007 10:36 PM

Nickname: rkpindia

Review: Ha -- wait until the the first headache that is treated with a prescription for Tylenol #3 ends up being an aneursym that ruptures. Lawsuits are only of matter of time. It won't be the fault of nurse practitioners but it is only a matter of time in a high-volume business.

Date reviewed: Sep 23, 2006 4:19 AM

Nickname: Roberto

Review: This kind of health-care practice can be quite dangerous. It must have a strong regulation and control over those practicioners working there to prevent undesired results. "Minute clinics" sounds like "The doctor will see you for exactly seven minutes" (see The new York Times, Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2006)and patients are not the same as consumers or customers. Take care. Life is fragile. Don't put your health in jeopardy for economic reasons. Thus,the government must be omnipresent to ensure a free and high-qualified health care to the whole population.

Date reviewed: Sep 21, 2006 7:35 AM

Nickname: KPS

Review: Where is the labor force (NP's and PAs) going to come from to staff all these places? With a shortfall of these professionals predicted over the coming years, this could really be the deciding factor in how quickly they're really able to expand. Either that, or a lot of doctor's offices are going to have to do without.

Date reviewed: Aug 14, 2006 6:39 PM

Nickname: YB

Review: Retail Clinics are a genial idea. The concept works perfectly to solve some critically real and current health care issues in the nation. However, a "common sense balance" on regulations would be needed if we want this project to succeed. One of the major reasons our health care cost is so high is because the constant dictation of non-evidence based and non-sense rules and regulations stipulated by State Health Departments, Credentialing Commissions, and greedy lawyers. I really think that these new retail clinics deserve the opportunity to practice with evidence based rules and regulations, and with "common sense" protocols. If this system works, taxpayers would benefit somehow by not having to pay so many unpaid tabs left at Emergency Room departments all over the nation by uninsured people.

Date reviewed: Jul 28, 2006 11:03 PM

Nickname: NPNANCY

Review: As an NP I, too, am happy for positive portrayal of our services. But I am curious about the bottom line since no one is going to run this kind of venture without also wanting to make money. How this plays out over time will be very interesting. I also can't imagine there will never be lines at these clinics or long waits for service as they gain popularity in a community.

Date reviewed: Jul 23, 2006 1:55 AM

Nickname: oremzsy

Review: I think it has an overall positive effect where the MP densities are not high. But we need to weigh the systems that will be checks for the quality of health care at this level, and how drugstores will not be influencing prescription decisions.

Date reviewed: Jul 22, 2006 6:14 PM

Nickname: TH

Review: The concept is attractive but is likely to attract malpractice suits, insurance fraud, Rx fraud & missuse, and result in more government regulation. A report from CA HealthCare Foundation, Health Care in the Express Lane: The Emergence of Retail Clinics, quotes: "If clincs realize their full potential.. regulatory barriers.. will have to be torn down." - RediClinic CEO Golinkin "..they will undoubtedly attract more regulatory attention." - Mary Kate Scott, Author While these quotes appear to conflict, the report points out the "regulatory attention" is unknown. CVS must see enough immediate short-term profit before regulators can catch up. By then it may be so popular & efficient that added regulations are barely felt. These clincis are now regulated same as private MD practice making it difficult to treat the two differently later. This is good, but today's rate of malpractice suits and Rx fraud/misuse already predicts a growing trend of more regulation. Short term investment--yes!

Date reviewed: Jul 21, 2006 7:43 PM

Nickname: Bob Blumm

Review: I'll let Victor Hugo sum up this wonderful enhancement provided by MinuteClinic. "Of all of the armies in the world, there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come." This, my colleagues is history in the making and we are in the forefront.

Date reviewed: Jul 19, 2006 11:06 AM