September 18, 2006 -- Pediatricians Oppose Walk-In Retail Clinics for Child Health Care

In a policy statement issued September 15, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said it is opposed to the use of retail-based clinics in supermarkets, pharmacies, and large retail stores as a source of medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. The AAP is especially concerned that such clinics may provide lower quality of care, especially for children with special health needs, and that the clinics lack access to a central health record. Also, tests and diagnoses are given without proper follow-up, the AAP charged, and there are public health issues concerning exposure to contagious diseases in a retail environment. The AAP also expressed opposition to the practice of some retail-based clinics of waiving or lowering co-pays or offering other financial incentives for visits. Conceding that retail-based clinics are likely to continue to exist, however, the AAP recommends that the clinics support the medical home by referring patients back to primary care physicians for further care, communicate with the patient’s pediatrician or other primary care physician within 24 hours of a visit, and follow guidelines for care of children developed by medical organizations. The complete policy statement is available at http://www.aap.org/.