JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — The retail clinic market in the U.S. is growing faster than expected as companies open new locations, according to a new report by Feed-back.com, here. By the end of April 2007, the number of facilities had grown to 408, the report says. In May, an interview was conducted with Tine Hansen-Turton of the Convenient Care Association, Philadelphia, in which she said the CCA expected that 700 clinics would be in operation by year-end 2007. Hansen-Turton said established participants have the advantage of knowing what works in this emergent market, helping them leverage initial investments. However, there's still room for new companies, and physicians are starting to invest in the convenient care model. "The nonprofit and corporate sectors are getting involved so that partnering with all aspects of health care is possible. We [retail clinics] typically see patients for emergent problems, and if needed, they walk out of the clinic with referrals for primary care and/or follow-up care. Partnering with community health providers, hospitals, insurance companies, and physicians is of the utmost importance to maintain the quality we are striving for," she said.

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