Minute Clinic
I came down with a sore throat a few days ago, likely the product of a plane ride back from Florida. When my symptoms started getting worse I decided to make a visit to a health professional. But, instead of heading to urgent care on a Sunday, I headed to the mall and visited a Minute Clinic.
Here’s the short of it:
- You don’t need an appointment, so I waltzed on in and signed onto the waiting list
- I filled out one sheet of paper with basic contact information
- I spent about 20 minutes waiting and about 15 minutes with the practitioner
- The test for strep happened right before my eyes and took 5 minutes
- I left and contemplated the purchase of a Cinnabon.
The good?
- It was cheap: They accept insurance so I only had to pay a small co-pay.
- It was quick: Thank you drive-thru.
- It was efficient: A receptionist (plasma TV) told me the simple steps I needed to take upon arrival.
The bad
- Close quarters: It felt like I was waiting in a closet.
- Privacy: Maybe music was supposed to be playing, but you could sometimes hear the conversation in the exam room.
- No History: No immediate access to your health records (But they do ask the big questions, such as are you allergic to any medications).
Overall, I would say it was a good experience and I’d go back for treatment of minor ailments. The growth of Minute Clinic does bring up a lot of questions about taking the “retail approach to health care.”
September 18th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
What should be mentioned is that the care that the practitioners give is highly regulated/monitored on a regular basis by managers and their physician collaborator. All care given is from cutting edge “Clinical Pathways” and from medical associations such as Amer Med Ass., Academy of Pediatrics and Academy of Family Physicians. Practitioners must follow these pathways and not deviate unless they contact the manage/physician.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:18 am
I would like to comment on your statement that the practitioners are highly regulated monitored etc… I should be noted that the practitioners are Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners who are highly trained and educated health care professionals. They make decisions based on their knowledge and experience according to the needs of the patient. If needed their collaborating physician can be contacted to discuss a case. NP’s follow a Nursing model NOT a medical model. They follow a model put forth ny the American Nurses Association, not the AMA. Most people are more than satisfied with NP care and many people choose to utilize NPs as their primary care provider. NPs spend a great deal of time with their patients and are an excellent choice in high quality health care.