In a previous post, I discussed the pros and cons of retail clinics that have appeared in the last decade in local grocery and drug stores. What is important to note is that while these types of clinics offer several benefits to patients such as convenience, short wait times and (relatively) low costs, they are not for everyone.

Retail clinics are staffed mainly by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. A doctor typically serves as a clinic supervisor and is available for phone consultations and performs routine chart reviews, but is not required to be physically present at the clinic. Therefore, the care is provided by non-physician providers all the time. And while these providers are well trained and appropriately qualified to treat minor ailments, their scope of practice is obviously not as wide as that of a primary care or family doctor. Therefore, the important question is who can they and who can’t they treat?

If you are generally healthy, and all you need is a prescription for that annoying sore throat on a Saturday afternoon, then the retail clinic is the place to go. Also, if you are traveling and happen to come down with a minor cold, chances are you can not get in touch with your regular doctor and your health plan may not cover doctors that are not part of its panel. In this case, the retail clinic is a convenient, fast and cheap(er) way to get care so you can resume your fun vacation or get ready for that big presentation or job interview.

However, if you have a complicated medical history or currently suffer from a chronic health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer or asthma, chances are the providers at the retail clinic may not be able to treat you. The reason is they don’t have complete access to your medical file and your conditions are outside the scope of their practice. Moreover, these clinics are not designed to provide a long-term treatment and follow-up plan. In this case, your best bet is still your regular doctor, an urgent care clinic, or the Emergency department.

So how can patients prepare before going the retail clinic? When you plan to visit a retail clinic, Dr. Jennifer Ashton recommends that you know your own medical history, bring a list of all of your medications, get a phone number in case things worsen, and follow-up with your regular doctor.

Retail clinics should be used in addition, not instead of your regular doctor’s care. So don’t be tempted to call your doctor’s office and tell them to “get lost” just because a new MinuteClinic has opened around the corner!