CHICAGO, June 12 (UPI) -- The American Medical Association is pushing for increased scrutiny of retail health clinics and the nurse practitioners who staff them.
At most retail clinics, a doctor comes by to review charts and other decisions made by the nurse practitioners but typically does not see patients. Such clinics advertise that they will treat patients with routine maladies in 15 minutes or less, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Some AMA members say the clinics should not be a substitute for the doctor-patient relationship and need more uniform state rules requiring closer physician involvement.
The newspaper said some of the nation's biggest retailers and groceries are opening kiosk-like clinics, usually near their pharmacy counters.
Supporters say the clinics are an important and convenient way for consumers to access the healthcare system, particularly for the 45 million uninsured U.S. residents who cannot afford traditional doctors, the newspaper said.
