AAP Principles Concerning Retail-Based Clinics

The lack of adherence to current standards of care by retail-based clinics is breathtaking. What if I told you that I had seen a sixteen year old girl for a physical exam but I did not bother to obtain records of her past medical history or look up her immunization status? I did not perform any anticipatory guidance and failed to check her hemoglobin or lipid levels. I also did not counsel her about her eating habits, school performance, or her interactions with her peers. No depression screening was performed nor did I find out if she is sexually active. My physical exam was rudimentary and did not involve disrobing. Even though a meningitis vaccine is due at age sixteen, she left my office unimmunized. I established no rapport with my patient because I will never see her again.

We all know that a board certified pediatrician could not ethically practice in this manner. But I received notice that my teenage patient received such "health care" at a retail-based clinic today for a school physical hence prompting this letter. I applaud the authors and the American Academy of Pediatrics for this statement detailing why retail based clinics are an inappropriate provider of primary care for children. Now, we must teach our families that the care they receive at these clinics is substandard and possibly harmful to their children's health.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared