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Special Reports

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Ateev Mehrotra of RAND Corporation Talks About the Growth Potential of Retail Clinics

In a conversation with California Healthline, Ateev Mehrotra -- a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation -- discussed how the demand for retail clinics could grow in the coming years.

According to Mehrotra, a 2010 RAND study found that the quality of care provided at retail clinics is similar to the quality of care provided at doctors' offices and emergency departments. The study also found that the cost of receiving care at retail clinics is significantly less expensive than the cost of receiving care at doctors' offices or EDs.

Mehrotra noted that retail clinics have the potential to improve access to care in areas facing a shortage of primary care providers. He added that community health centers could expand their reach by partnering with retail clinics.

Although retail clinics have a great deal of growth potential, Mehrotra noted that some health care providers have concerns about whether retail clinics should expand their scope of practice to help manage chronic conditions (California Healthline, 1/4).

The complete transcript of this report is available as a PDF.

Running Time: 5:43

Reader Comments:
  • 2
  • 01/13/2012
  • Frank Apgar

I would echo Dr. Forster's last comment regarding ARNPs/PAs going into specialty areas. I have a future relative who just graduated from one of the top PA schools in California with over a $150,000 dept. Being 28 and one who would like to be able to raise a family at some point. Paying off the loan is her higher priority currently so while she is quite qualified, she is going into a specialty area given the pay for primary care.

  • 1
  • 01/06/2012
  • Robert Forster

Having participated in building these clinics, as a physician employing ARNPs (advance degree RNs) I have full confidence that they not only can medically manage 80% of what a primary physician sees every day, but also expand into chronic diseases with longitudinal care--with one caveat. Even though these ARNPs/PAs have a sponcering physician, the care record delived to a walk in patient MUST be electronically sent to their primary care physician (if they have one) to improve the continum of care--not further fractionate the care and medical record. HIE/EHR once functional will enable this expansion. However, about 5000 yearly graduated ARNPs/PAs are specializing as well, and only 50% are seeking adult/pediatrics/primary care credentials. It will not solve our primary care shortages.



Readers are invited to send feedback to: chl@chcf.org