How We Feel About Retail Based Clinics

Clinics offered by retails stores such as Mal-Mart and CVS ( i.e. MinuteClinic) is a convenient and often less expensive option for parents to address pressing medical issues with their children. 

However, most pediatricians I know of frown upon parents taking their children to CVS or Walgreens for pediatric care. The reason? Pediatricians believe, among other things, that retail based clinics fragments a child's care. 

For example, providers at retail clinics - which are not staffed by doctors, but rather mid-level providers such as physician assistant and nurse practitioners - often provide test without properly following up with patients.

There is also an issue of quality standards. 

In a recent study of 14,000 people conducted in the St. Louis area, found that health care providers at retail clinics prescribe unnecessary antibiotics.

For instance, two-thirds of patients who had colds or the flu (which are viral infections) were given antibiotics, which is not recommended by national guidelines.

According to the study, respiratory tract infection accounted for a large number of visits to retail health clinics. 

If providers are in fact prescribing antibiotics that were not necessary, the potential harm from widespread overuse of antibiotics for these common illnesses could have significant un-intended consequences for children. 

At Salud Pediatrics, we understand that in some circumstances parents don't always have the option to come to our practice when their child is sick. 

However, as trusted partners in the healthcare of your child, and in alignment with our mission to help each and every child reach his or her full potential, we feel it is necessary to bring awareness to some of the potential pitfalls that can occur as a result of visiting clinics offered by Wal-Mart, CVS and the likes. 

We also believe it is important to highlight that as your child's doctor, we have a comprehensive understanding and awareness of your child's health that enables us to provide a personalized and tailored medical services to you and your child.