Who Gets Medical Care at the Grocery Store?

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Hawaii, where my parents live, has had these types of clinics for years and I think they're fantastic. They bridge the gap between the doctor's office and the emergency room. Let's face it; it's almost impossible to get a same-day appointment with your doctor when you have an infection or possible strep throat or other simple ailments that need a prescriptions, but are not emergencies. Or of course it's on the weekend! I once ended up in the emergency room with a sinus infection on a Saturday afternoon because I was in too much discomfort to wait for Monday, but it sure didn't qualify as an emergency.

GG1000 of CA 3:44PM September 13, 2008

I'm not against the nurse practitioner concept, a sort of 6-year doctor. But I don't like the name. I would prefer that these people be given full doctor status, full doctor licensure and full doctor prescribing and treatment power. Yes, you heard that right.
Give the "doctor" monopoly some REAL competition. We need primary care. Lots of it. We need it at reasonable cost, and we DO NOT need "Minute Clinic" corporate chains walking off with extra dollars. To lower the price of doctors, you must increase the supply. You can do that with lower licensure standards. No, it isn't "dangerous", and don't let those $400,000 doctors tell you it is.

of 10:49AM September 13, 2008

Nurse Practitioners have 6 years of medical education. Many have additional years and even decades of health experience specializing in caring for the health of others. I know because I am one. We care for both acute and chronic illnesses. I would think that retail clinics spend time with the chronically ill hypertensive and diabetic patients, for example, as I do to prolongs and improve their quality of life. I am often called doctor, but am quick to clarify tht I am a Nurse Practitioner. We are both primary care providers. Healthcare is changing; there are more uninsured and underinsured that need our help.

of HI 3:34AM September 13, 2008