The surge in pediatric visits to urgent care and retail health clinics, as revealed by CDC data, signifies a notable shift in healthcare preferences. From 2021 to 2022, the percentage of children accessing care in alternative settings increased from 21% to 28%. This trend is driven by the convenience and accessibility offered by grocery store clinics, pharmacy clinics, and urgent care centers. While the CDC did not delve into the reasons behind the surge, other studies suggest a preference for these settings among adult healthcare consumers. As the landscape evolves, challenges related to health data sharing and care coordination must be addressed to ensure a seamless healthcare experience for pediatric patients.
In the evolving landscape of pediatric healthcare, a substantial increase in visits to urgent care and retail health clinics has been observed. According to the CDC, the percentage of children seeking care in these alternative settings rose from 21% in 2021 to 28% in 2022. This trend is reflective of a broader shift towards more convenient and accessible healthcare options, with grocery store clinics, pharmacy clinics, and urgent care centers becoming increasingly popular. Although the CDC did not provide a detailed analysis of the driving factors, other studies suggest a parallel trend among adult healthcare consumers. Understanding the dynamics behind this shift is crucial as it poses challenges related to health data sharing and care coordination.
The CDC’s Findings:
Data from the National Health Interview Survey, utilized by the CDC, revealed that in 2022, 28.4% of children aged up to 17 had visited a retail health clinic or urgent care center in the preceding 12 months. This marks a significant increase from the 21.6% recorded in 2021. The trend was consistent across various age groups, with the most substantial rise observed among children aged 0 to 5 years. In 2021, these visits accounted for just under 20%, whereas in 2022, the figure rose to just below 30%.
Children aged 6 to 11 years also experienced a surge in urgent care and retail clinic visits, reaching 26.6% in 2022. For teenagers aged 12 to 17, the figure was 30.3%. The CDC did not delve into the reasons behind these increases, leaving room for speculation regarding the potential factors driving this trend.
Potential Drivers:
While the CDC did not provide a detailed analysis of the reasons behind the surge in pediatric visits to urgent care and retail health clinics, other studies offer insights. FAIR Health data from March 2023 indicated a notable increase in visits to retail clinics, suggesting a shift away from traditional care settings like ambulatory surgical centers and emergency departments. During the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to retail health clinics increased by 51%, and urgent care center visits rose by 14%.
A survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer Health revealed that 58% of adult healthcare consumers would be willing to access care in a pharmacy or retail clinic setting. Although the survey focused on adults, the decisions regarding pediatric care are often made by parents and caregivers, indicating a potential alignment in preferences between adult and pediatric care settings.
Convenience as a Key Factor:
The preference for urgent care and retail health clinics seems to be rooted in the convenience and accessibility they offer. A report from JLL in 2023 highlighted that a convenient location was the second-highest factor influencing healthcare access decisions, with cost being the only higher-ranking factor. This underscores the importance placed by healthcare consumers, including parents and caregivers, on accessible and convenient care options.
Furthermore, the report indicated a significant willingness among patients to seek healthcare at retail clinics. While 63% had not done so previously, 72% expressed a willingness to consider it in the future. Only 29% stated they would not consider visiting a retail clinic, and even fewer had visited one but would not do so again.
Implications and Challenges:
The increasing reliance on urgent care and retail health clinics raises important questions about health data sharing and care coordination. Although these alternative care settings provide a more convenient experience, they are often disconnected from the primary care providers responsible for overall well-being.
Despite the widespread availability of primary care providers for children, the trend towards seeking acute care outside of traditional settings like the pediatrician’s office is evident. This shift emphasizes the need to evaluate how different technologies and human processes can facilitate streamlined care coordination in a healthcare landscape that is constantly balancing between holistic, patient-centered care, and enhanced convenience.
The increasing reliance on urgent care and retail health clinics for pediatric healthcare raises significant implications for the industry. While the preference for these convenient settings aligns with evolving consumer trends, challenges surrounding health data sharing and care coordination must be addressed. The disconnect between these alternative care settings and primary care providers necessitates a comprehensive examination of technologies and processes. Striking a balance between convenience and holistic, patient-centered care is crucial as the healthcare landscape continues to transform. The industry’s ability to adapt to these changes will determine the quality and integration of healthcare services for pediatric patients and their families.
