FPM Assembles Online Resources on Retail Health Clinics

Family physicians concerned about the explosion of retail health clinics and the effect such clinics may have on their practices now can explore a collection of online materials compiled by Family Practice Management.

Members interested in perusing FPM's Retail Clinic Resources (Members Only) should have their AAFP ID numbers handy -- you'll need to log in for access to this members-only resource.

"It seemed natural for FPM to develop and host this collection of resources," said Editor-in-Chief Robert Edsall. "After all, successful practice is what FPM is all about."

The plethora of materials has been divided into three categories -- competition, cooperation and AAFP's response to retail health clinics -- to help ensure easy browsing for busy family physicians.

Physicians looking for a competitive edge can dig into sections on how to implement patient-friendly services, such as open-access scheduling, expanded office hours and online communications. The category also covers marketing a medical practice, retaining staff, and even buying or starting a retail clinic.

For those interested in the cooperative approach to retail health clinics, there is information on how to get listed on a retail health clinic's referral list and what it takes to serve as a supervising physician.

Members interested in background on the Academy's stance on retail health clinics or in news coverage of this health care trend will find links to that information, as well.

Edsall said more content likely will be added to the site as the retail health market evolves.