When a 15 year old girl woke up fine morning with a sinus infection, the first choice of her mother was not her family physician or an emergency room where the crowd could be infuriating.
Instead, she took her to a walk-in clinic, which was situated just 6 minutes from her home. This is not the first, but the fourth time this year she has visited a walk-in clinic for quick relief from non-urgent ailments.
For most residents, a walk-in clinic in Alexandria VA is the first choice. The primary reasons are convenient location, night and weekend hours, affordable costs, and importantly no prior appointment making.
In DC, immediate care and primary care concept is not something new. But healthcare professionals are surprised at the proliferation of walk-in facilities.
“The driving factor for this growth is convenience”, says a practicing physician in DC. “Today we are witnessing a generational shift in priorities”.
Instead, she took her to a walk-in clinic, which was situated just 6 minutes from her home. This is not the first, but the fourth time this year she has visited a walk-in clinic for quick relief from non-urgent ailments.
For most residents, a walk-in clinic in Alexandria VA is the first choice. The primary reasons are convenient location, night and weekend hours, affordable costs, and importantly no prior appointment making.
In DC, immediate care and primary care concept is not something new. But healthcare professionals are surprised at the proliferation of walk-in facilities.
“The driving factor for this growth is convenience”, says a practicing physician in DC. “Today we are witnessing a generational shift in priorities”.
The baby boomer generation accords more importance to continuity of care, and are more eager to see their primary care physicians. But the younger generation seems to prefer easy access and convenience.
It is heartening to note that a walk-in clinic in Alexandria VA maintains electronic records of patient visits. “We even readily share these with the family physicians of our patients when requested”, says a nurse practitioner at a walk-in clinic.
If some people are apprehensive about the quality of care at a walk-in clinic, they are mistaken.
Walk-in clinics are run by experienced and qualified nurse practitioners and physician attendants. They are competent enough to treat urgent but non-serious cases such as choked throat, sinus infections fevers, migraines, and minor injuries.
Walk-in clinics are now moving one step further. They are also providing lab services like blood tests, CT scans, ultrasound, and more. With a huge shortage of primary care doctors facing the American population, walk-in clinics are set to become even more popular.
Xpress Care is an urgent care clinic located in Pentagon City, providing comprehensive care on a walk-in basis.