Topic Overview:
Retail clinics, walk-in health care facilities often located in pharmacy, discount, or grocery chains, have generated as much debate as they have interest and use in the United States. Generally staffed by nurse practitioners and advertised as providing high-quality, low-cost, convenient care for routine illnesses and preventive services, U.S. retail clinics have surged in popularity over the last decade, with nearly 1,000 sites accounting for an estimated 3 million patient visits in 2008. Several physician organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have raised concerns about the new health care model, citing potential for delayed or inferior care and increased fragmentation.

Dr. Mehrotra’s research focuses on the measurement and reporting of health care quality and efficiency, pay-for-performance incentives, and the organization of physician groups. He has conducted extensive research into the rise and patterns of retail clinic use, characterizing their geographic distribution, sociodemographic consumer profiles, and scope of practice operations. He has also conducted cost and quality of care comparisons of retail clinics with conventional models of health care delivery such as physician offices and emergency departments. His work has implications not only for patients and physicians but also for policymakers, business owners, urban planners, politicians, and insurance plan strategists.

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