Retail Health Clinics: A Systematic Literature Review
Open Access
- Author:
- Dimeo, Samantha Jo
- Area of Honors:
- Health Policy and Administration
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Catherine Zavatsky Baumgardner, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Rhonda Be Lue, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- retail health clinic
literature review
access
cost
quality - Abstract:
- Retail health clinics offer a scope of services pertaining to minor acute conditions and preventive screenings. This emerging phenomenon advertises quick, convenient, and affordable care; therefore, the retail clinic industry has prompted interest among stakeholders in the healthcare industry. This study presents a framework for understanding the retail health clinic industry, the model of care delivery, and existing retail clinic challenges. A systematic literature review was conducted using the online databases ProQuest and PubMed. Articles (n = 35) were retrieved that examined varying facets of the retail health clinic industry. According to the literature, retail health clinics tend to be located in more affluent and urban areas, and convenience and proximity have been identified as leading predictors of clinic use. The literature also revealed that the cost for care at retail clinics is lower compared to alternative care settings. Retail health clinics have received relatively high consumer satisfaction scores, and the quality of care in retail health clinics is comparable to alternative care settings. However, retail clinic operators continue to experience challenges, such as patient volume and profitability. Findings from the literature review indicate that, despite the lower costs for care offered at retail clinics, access to care may not necessarily be increased for underserved and rural populations. Rather, retail health clinics are increasing convenience to the insured and urban populations. The study findings identify the importance of understanding the retail clinic industry and its potential to increase access to care at lower costs, without compromising quality.