Poll: Majority pleased with retail clinics

NEW YORK, May 23 (UPI) -- Patrons of so-called retail health clinics in the United States generally were pleased with the service they received, a Harris Poll indicated.

The latest Harris Interactive-Wall Street Journal healthcare study indicated U.S. adults who used such a clinic generally were pleased -- with 90 percent of the respondents saying they were very or somewhat satisfied with the quality of care. Similar results were seen for cost (86 percent) and quality of care (88 percent).

The clinics -- usually found in stores such as Walgreens, Target and Wal-Mart and usually staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants -- also are popular for services such as vaccinations and care of respiratory infections.

"Advocates believe retail based clinics fill a gap in healthcare access for our nation of more than 40 million uninsured," Richard Millard, Harris Interactive group president, said in a statement. "On the other hand, organizations such as the American Medical Association are concerned that ... these clinics would not be held to the same standards as medical offices."

The online survey of 4,937 U.S. adults was conducted May 2-6. Because it was a voluntary online poll, a sampling error could not be calculated.