One question the IAFP continues to hear from members is “A retail clinic just moved into my area, what can I do?”
Although the expansion of retail health clinics has slowed, it has certainly not stopped. Physicians in Indianapolis are well aware of these nurse practitioner staffed clinics that are located in retail locations such as grocery or drug stores and retail clinics have moved into other urban areas like Valparaiso and Bloomington.
Since 2008 the IAFP and AAFP have been monitoring the status of retail clinics in Indiana and across the United States. In 2009, the IAFP attempted to limit the spread and scope of retail clinics in Indiana through legislative means and in the last month the AAFP has revised and strengthened its policy on retail clinics. See the AAFP News Now article and read the new AAFP policy.
Another reaction to the spread of retail clinics came in 2009, when the IAFP Congress of Delegates directed the IAFP to provide information to its membership on how to compete with retail clinics in their area.
So how should family physicians react to a retail clinic moving into their city? If you are worried about losing your competitive advantage in your area, consider adapting your practice. The IAFP recommends utilizing the AAFP Retail Clinic Toolkit, available for Academy members, for advice on how to keep your practice competitive and your patients satisfied.
For general information about retail clinics or to see where retail clinics are currently located, you can visit the Convenient Care Association’s website.