- Ronnie Shalev, MD
What's a retail clinic? When would I go to one?
Retail clinics are part of the big trend to make health care more convenient. These walk-in clinics are located inside of retail stores, such as pharmacies, supermarkets, and department stores. These convenient care clinics are usually staffed with either a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant and are a good option for a short-term illness or as a back-up when you can’t see your doctor. But they should not replace a long-term relationship with a primary care physician.

Retail Clinic Pros:
- Extended Hours (usually open 7a-7p, seven days a week)
- No appointments Necessary
- Price Transparency (have set prices for each service on their website)
- Medicare and private insurance accepted
Retail Clinic Cons:
- No continuity of care compared to seeing a primary care doctor
- Not ideal for adults > 65 (oftentimes minor issues in the elderly end up being more serious)
- Not ideal for chronic disease management
Here are some conditions that can be treated at a retail clinics:
Allergies Cough Earache
Indigestion HIV Exposure Mono
Mouth pain Dental Pain Nausea & Vomiting
Diarrhea Pink Eye Stye
Sinus Infection Sore Throat Upper Respiratory Infection
STD UTI Insect Bite
Minor Burn Scrape Blister
Sprain Strain Splinter Removal
Joint Pain Suture Removal Staple Removal
Acne Athlete's Foot Chicken Pox
Rash Impetigo Poison Ivy & Oak
Lice Ringworm Medication Refills
Sunburn Shingles Wart Evaluation
Vaccinations Physicals Birth Control
Weight Loss Smoking Cessation Pregnancy Tests
Scabies Yeast Infections Ear Wax Removal
Preventative (motion sickness, Diarrhea, Malaria, Typhoid Prevention)