Worksite primary care clinics: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The US healthcare system faces challenges including high spending, fragmentation, and primary care deficiencies, leading to suboptimal health outcomes.
• Employers are seeking innovative solutions to rising healthcare costs and workforce health issues, with mixed results from strategies like consumer-driven health plans.
• Integrated worksite primary care clinics are emerging as a comprehensive delivery model to address systemic issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the available evidence on worksite primary care clinics.
• To explore the rationale, trends, benefits, and challenges associated with these clinics.
• To identify future research directions for this healthcare paradigm.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing evidence on worksite primary care clinics.
• Analysis of current rationale, historical trends, and projected growth.
• Examination of expected health and financial benefits, alongside identified challenges.

Main Results:

• Worksite clinics offer a potential solution to primary care physician shortages and access issues.
• These clinics can provide coordinated, patient-centered care, improving immunization rates and addressing quality concerns.
• Leveraging registered nurses, worksite clinics aim for convenient, high-quality, and affordable care for employees and dependents.

Conclusions:

• Worksite primary care clinics present a promising model for improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.
• Further development of consistent reporting strategies and outcome demonstration is needed.
• These clinics have the potential to cost-effectively address key problems in the US healthcare system.