Convenient care clinics: the future of accessible health care

The need for accessible, affordable, quality health care in the United States has never been greater. In response to this need, convenient care clinics (CCCs) are being launched across the country to help provide care to meet the basic health needs of the public. In CCCs, highly qualified health care providers diagnose and treat common health problems, triage patients to the appropriate level of care, advocate for a medical home for all patients, and reduce unnecessary visits to emergency rooms and Urgent Care Clinics. CCCs have been called a "disruptive innovation" because they are consumer driven. They serve as a response to many patients who are unhappy with the current conventional health care delivery system--a system that is challenged to provide access to basic health care services when people need it the most. CCCs are based in retail stores and pharmacies. They are primarily staffed by nurse practitioners (NPs). Some CCCs are staffed by physician assistants (PAs) and physicians. The authors acknowledge the important roles of both PAs and physicians in CCCs; however, this paper primarily provides education about the role of NPs in CCCs. CCCs have evolved at a time when our health care system is floundering, and the need for accessible, affordable health care is at its greatest. The CCC model provides an accessible, affordable entry point into the health care system for those who previously were restricted access.