Benefits of becoming a Doc in a Box
How many doctors have actually succumbed to the temptation of becoming a ‘doc in a box’? Those statistics may not even exist yet and if they did...they'd certainly change on a daily basis. 'Doc in a box' conjures up playful images of a crumpled, untidy doctor stuffed into an ornate antique box. Equipped with a crank handle. Whenever the dutiful doc’s services are needed, eager patients with fistfuls of cash will be able to summon the masterful magician from his uncomfortable slumber.
Would any prestigious practitioners submit themselves to such shameless self-merchandising?! Possibly. If it would attract more patients to their practices. They might come up with a clever line of “Doc-in-the-boxes”. Featuring humorous yet grotesque figurines fashioned in their likenesses. Whenever the magical little handles were turned, soothing music would begin playing and these scary doctors would then pop up. Automatically spouting snappy advice. Suitable for all ages and all ailments. A doctor may feel like a toy if his mini clinic is situated in between a hobby shop and a toy store.
This idealistic young doctor finds himself squeezing into a boxy clinic which feels more like an upscale boutique that an actual medical facility. Calmly curing designer disorders with pretty pills. With a catchy logo similar to the one that belongs to the “minute clinic” chain. Their simple statement: “You’re sick. We’re quick.” The formula seems too simple. A little too easy. It can’t be any good, can it?! Don’t cling to negative thoughts regarding these novel mini clinics.
Competent medical care and incredible convenience are two essential elements that are partially responsible for this boom. Patients who need prompt service should show a marked preference for these attractive ‘doc in the box’ outlets. Minor medical emergencies are handled in a timely fashion. Who would actually want to wait in a noisy, crowded emergency room, watching the hours slip through their fingers, while they’re feeling anxious and possibly suffering from agonizing pain!? No logical person should ever choose this unpleasant option. ‘Doc in a box’ facilities are much more palatable. They are capable of satisfying patients’ physical, emotional and financial needs. Easily and effectively.
As stated in the article at this website,http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Features/2009/20090526-Doc-in-a-Box.htm, these retail establishments offer benefits. “The Convenient Care Association is the association of companies and healthcare systems that provide consumers with accessible, affordable, quality healthcare in retail-based locations. CCA works primarily to enhance and sustain the growth of the Convenient Care industry through sharing of best practices and common standards of operation. The CCA was founded in October 2006. Since the first Convenient Care clinics (CCCs) opened in 2000, the Convenient Care industry has grown quickly. Today there are approximately 1,200 such clinics in operation, and CCA member clinics represent more than 95% of the industry. To date, CCCs have served more than 3.5 million patients.”
Approximately two and one half years have passed since the above article was released. The total number of convenient care clinics may have risen or maybe even fallen due to the state of the American economy. But several million patients received adequate medical care with fewer expenses (usually) than their normal routine visits to overcrowded and overwhelmed emergency rooms.
Here's a quick example of one benefit for a reluctant patient. A man may routinely avoid setting up a date for a doctor appointment due to fears or anxieties. If his wife makes one...she soon finds out that he has canceled it before she’s even left the room. But this obstinate man and his wife have ventured out...to the local mall. She needs some new clothes and he needs a new set of tires for his truck. He’s at the mall. Now, she has an opportunity. His wife acts quickly. She shoves him through the door of the mini clinic. He soon discovers that it isn’t too annoying. He’s processed quickly and courteously. He feels better and so does the rest of his family. His wife smiles triumphantly.
The benefits are enormous. A doctor can still practice his craft at his regular clinic because he is supervising the nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are actually providing the medical care at the ‘doc in the box’ outlets. Neatly nestled within the cozy comforts of their retail environments.
A sick or injured person will only find a plethora of these practices in a handful of states though. California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Texas. There were eighteen states that didn’t have any in 2008. The benefits of becoming a ‘doc in a box’ in those particular states would be awesome. They’d have no competition at all.
Another vital benefit applies to patients at traditional medical clinics as well as those who frequent the speedy retail clinic outlets. Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart problems will have more time for detailed visits and further diagnoses with their primary physicians because they won’t be competing for the doctor’s valuable time with patients who do not have such life and death needs. Patients who need treatment for a mild case of strep throat or other minor illnesses will receive prompt attention, advice and medical care so they can recover quickly and get back to work, school and play.
This long direct quote covers the crucial connection between traditional medical clinics and the newer generation of mini clinics. This information comes from this source:http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06207/708711-114.stm#ixzz1cZRoyzJw.
“Clinic operators say they have reached out to local physicians to supervise nurse practitioners, and sought to establish referral relationships with doctors, urgent care centers and emergency rooms. James Woodburn, a physician who is MinuteClinic's chief medical officer, says he sends letters to physicians in each market the company enters to ask if they are accepting new patients, and if so adds them to a database for referrals. Retail clinic operators say that sometimes nurse practitioners do fail to recognize more serious illness, but that nothing has given rise to any legal action (clinics generally carry some malpractice insurance). The bottom line, they say, is that retail clinics fill a need, take steps to ensure care is high quality, and encourage patients to seek regular care from a doctor.
Uninsured patients pay cash, while insured patients are charged a co-pay that may be slightly more or less than what they have to pay at the doctor's office, depending on the clinic. Take Care clinics bill insurers 10 percent to 30 percent less than doctors do, Mr. Miller says.”
Mini clinics need to establish a strong working relationship with the doctors who are supervising their workload and also with local hospitals in their region. Referrals are vital. Follow-ups are crucial in order to insure the long term well-being of each and every patient who walks through their doors.
‘Doc in a box’ outlets can handle any individual who suddenly falls ill or suffers some semi-catastrophic injury during a vacation, family or school reunion or business trip. These speedy facilities can also accommodate recent arrivals to a particular city who haven’t had the necessary time needed in order to select a family physician or a specialist who can add his/her name to their lengthy list of patients.
Medical students search through the forums seeking career advice regarding these establishments. Veteran physicians provided both information and advice. These facilities are not challenging enough for some medical students and/or doctors who are seeking to thoroughly test the skills they’ve learned in medical school. But some viewed these outlets as an easy manner of earning extra money. The shifts are eight hours compared to the twelve hour shifts at the other medical institutions. More information can be found at this informative insider’s site:http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=108797.
A patient needing intricate brain surgery in order to remove a cancerous tumor could not expect to receive such medical care at a ‘doc in a box’ retail outlet. Especially not in ten to thirty minutes. But an ordinary patient with an everyday sort of malady can expect a reasonable waiting time, adequate medical care and a humanely modest fee for this special service. The benefits can be applied nearly equally to both patients and medical practitioners. As more medical retail establishments open their doors, efficient and convenient medical care will extend further into the hidden realms of modern society.
There is another type of ‘doc in a box’ according to the medical trailblazers athttp://humtechnet.com/taxonomy/term/364which focuses on telemedicine. Which is also referred to as telehealth. Important medical information can easily be transmitted from one site to another. Videoconferencing is only one of many important essential elements involved with modern health care. Significant medical issues suddenly stemming from global pandemics, natural disasters and massive acts of random terrorism require instantaneous assistance. Still images can be shared with others as well as the capacity for remote monitoring of vital signs. This unique form of ‘doc in a box’ can also provide practicing physicians and nurse practitioners in the mini clinics with additional tools they can utilize during their day to day routines. There are crucial benefits involving either form of ‘doc in a box’. Both will definitely enhance the overall experience involving everyday medical care interchanges between practitioners and patients.
