Retail Clinics

Retail clinics are privately owned clinics typically staffed solely by nurse practitioners and found inside retail stores such as Target, Wal‐mart, and CVS Pharmacy. Since the first retail clinic was established in 2000, over 1,000 sites have opened in thirty‐seven states across the country [4]. Some reports estimate that by 2012, over 6,000 retail clinics will operate in the US [3]. Despite their growing popularity, retail clinics have sparked much debate. Why Retail Clinics? Retail clinics are designed for one‐time care of a limited number of minor illnesses and injuries. They are usually staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants, almost never doctors, who provide standardized interventions that do not generally emphasize follow‐up care. Despite this, retail clinics have had success because they stay open evenings and weekends, offer relatively low prices, provide short wait times and do not require an appointment. In fact, the costs of care at retail clinics are sometimes 30‐40% lower than at physician offices and 80% lower than emergency departments [3]. Convenience and affordability are the hallmarks of retail clinics’ business model.