Retail clinics see increased visits, account for more care

A growing number of elderly patients are receiving a significant amount of their healthcare at retail clinics located at pharmacies.

Visits to such providers quadrupled from 2007 to 2009, according to Drug Store News, as they offer preventive care to patients. The news source noted that many of these visits took place over the weekend or at times when it might be inconvenient to visit a doctor’s office. Their use remains relatively minor, compared to traditional outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices, but could grow further over time, particularly with regard to elderly patients.

“The rapid growth of retail clinics makes it clear that they are meeting a patient need,” stated Health Affairs, which published the study. “Convenience and after-hours accessibility are possible drivers of this growth. However, retail clinics make up a small share of overall visits in the outpatient setting, which include 117 million visits to emergency departments and 577 million visits to physician offices annually.”

The majority of those who use these clinics indicated they do not have a relationship with a primary care physician. That suggests that doctors are not reaching a major segment of the population, who have unmet medical needs as a result.

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Aging population will affect dentists’ practices

Dentists will likely find a shift in demand for their services as the baby boomer generation ages.

Some estimates suggest that those over the age of 65 will account for even more than 20 percent of the national population by 2030, as the age group is currently the fastest-growing in the United States. Some analysts say that older people with limited access to care are less likely to schedule regular dental visits, Dentistry IQ notes.

The news source notes that oral health often deteriorates among the elderly living in long-term care facilities. Hygiene is commonly neglected, especially among the cognitively impaired or functionally dependent. The percentage of the elderly who fit those criteria is expected to rise in the coming years.

The way care is provided may need to change in order to reach this growing population, or else their dental health could deteriorate rapidly. Dentists should consider whether they will lose patients who become less able or unable to travel to reach their practice unaided.

It may be possible for some to partner with long-term care facilities in order to meet the oral health needs of their residents.

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