Walk-in clinics convenient, suitable for minor concerns

Dear Doctor K: What do you think of the walk-in health clinics that are popping up? Can I use them instead of going to my regular doctor? tion, for example. But it’s important that your medical record from this visit reach your primary care doctor, and that often doesn’t happen.

For more complicated or ongoing medical issues, health clinics are not a substitute for a doctor’s office. The doctors, nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants in those clinics probably won’t have access to your records. They won’t know what medical conditions you have, the results of your laboratory tests, the medicines you’re on or whether you have drug allergies. They need to know that information to give you good care.

“What’s the problem,” you might ask? “I can simply give them that information.” Maybe. But ask yourself if you could, right now off the top of your head, list all of your medical conditions, the results of your most recent laboratory tests, all of the medicines you are taking (and the doses), and every drug you have had an allergic reaction to.

Retail health clinics are often staffed by nurse practitioners, not doctors. Nurse practitioners are required to follow specific care guidelines, and they must keep meticulous records on the care they’ve provided.

Any time you visit a health clinic, get a printed copy of your health record. Health clinics keep excellent medical records. But it’s up to you to make sure they get to your primary care doctor so that all of your health records are in one place.