American Medical Association Urged to Oppose Retail Clinics

The growing popularity of retail health clinics is spurring concern from many physicians, especially those involved in caring for patients after complicated problems like stroke and heart attack. The clinics, which have opened inside retail stores such as Walgreens and Walmart are popular because of their low cost and easy access. While doctors agree that they may be a beneficial option for low complexity complaints such as routine blood tests, they are concerned that the growing popularity will result in an increase in the number of more seriously ill patients using them as a primary health provider.

Doctors caution that since these clinics are typically not staffed or run by physicians, they are not qualified to safely deal with medical problems requiring complex medical problem solving and follow up. Retail health clinics are usually staffed by nurse practicioners, who until now have typically operated under the direct supervision of M.D. staff, but are supervised this way in retail clinics.

The issue has been brought to the American Medical Association by a concerned group of physicians and will be discussed before the full 500 member body of delegates before the association issues a formal statement.