There’s been plenty of debate over the walk-in clinics cropping up in drug stores and big-box retailers. But research has been lacking on just who is using those clinics and what they’re being treated for.
In a new study that helps fill that gap, researchers pooled data from 1.35 million visits to more than 300 clinics operated by eight different companies. The clinics were in a variety of stores, including Wal-Mart, CVS and Walgreen.
Roughly 90% of the patients came for one of 10 relatively simple treatments. The list included ear infections, upper respiratory infections, immunizations and blood pressure checks.
Insurance paid for 67% of visits
Most of the patients said they didn’t have a primary care provider
The study, published in Health Affairs, was conducted by RAND researchers and funded by the California HealthCare Foundation
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