Most seniors have embraced “doc-in-a-box” strip mall clinics and urgent care centers as a means of getting prompt medical care, a new poll has found. About 60% of people ages 50 to 80 have visited an urgent care center or a retail health clinic during the past two years — even though those sorts of options weren’t available earlier in their lives.
“The rapid rise in availability of these kinds of clinics, which typically offer walk-in convenience, expanded hours and self-scheduling of appointments in locations close to home, work or shopping, has transformed the American health care system landscape in less than two decades,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, director of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
Urgent Care Centers Lead the Way
Urgent care centers are the most common alternative source of care for seniors and the middle-aged, with 47% visiting one at least once and 23% going more than once within the past two years. And 28% said they have gone to a retail health clinic, a same-day office typically located in a strip mall, workplace or vehicle.
High Satisfaction and Future Use
Three-quarters of seniors (75%) who have gone to an alternative clinic said they’re likely to go again sometime within the next two years, poll results show. Also, 43% of people who hadn’t gotten care at an alternative clinic said they are likely to do so in the next two years.
Balancing Convenience and Quality
However, most older adults with a primary care doctor said they prefer the quality of care and sense of connection at their regular clinic. About 52% of those who’d gone to an alternative clinic said the quality of care was better with their regular doctor, and 67% said they felt more of a connection with their primary family medicine doctor. On the other hand, 43% said the alternative clinic was more convenient than their usual provider.
Addressing the Primary Care Shortage
“With the nationwide shortage of primary care providers, it’s important to understand how this age group, with generally higher medical needs, views and uses this type of care,” Kullgren added in a Michigan news release. This shortage is a critical issue for medical schools and the future physician workforce.
Diverting Non-Emergency Cases
Of those who went to an alternative clinic, 44% said they wanted to avoid going to an emergency room and 35% said they needed a vaccine, test or physical exam. This highlights the role of these clinics in diverting non-life threatening cases from emergency departments.
Meeting the Need for Accessible Care
“Access to timely and convenient care was critical for older adults during the pandemic, and our research shows alternative care options will continue to be in demand for the long-term,” said Susan Reinhard, senior vice president and director of AARP Public11 Health Policy Institute. The AARP participated in the new survey.
Implications and Future Considerations
The poll was conducted online and via phone in July and August 2023, among 2,657 adults ages 50 to 80. The findings also raise questions about wait times at traditional medical centers and the impact on health insurers. The poll also indirectly touches upon issues like mental health, as accessible care can play a role in addressing these needs. The convenience of being open days a week makes these clinics a popular choice. The role of medical colleges in training doctors to work in these settings may also need to be considered.
Impact on Black Patients
It’s important to consider how this trend affects Black patients specifically. Historically, Black communities have faced disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. While convenient care options like urgent care centers can help bridge gaps in access, it’s crucial to ensure these clinics are equitably distributed in Black communities and that they provide culturally competent care. Further research is needed to understand how Black seniors utilize these clinics and whether they experience similar levels of satisfaction as other groups. Addressing potential disparities in access and quality of care at these clinics is essential to achieving health equity for Black patients.
More information
Harvard Medical School has more on retail health clinics.