Americans turning to convenient care centers, study finds

A new survey by Registered Nursing finds Americans are turning to convenient care centers instead of their primary care providers in search of a better experience. 

Key findings:

• 79% trust advice from a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant the same way they would a primary care doctor. 
• One in 4 Americans say they don’t have a primary care doctor. 
• 61% of Americans are not satisfied with their health insurance coverage. 
• When comparing visits to a convenient care facility with their primary care physician's office, 73% of respondents describe receiving better or the same quality care at a convenient care facility as they would at a regular doctor’s office.
• The top three reasons Americans would go to a convenient care facility rather than their primary care doctor are immediate availability, faster service at the clinic and a convenient location. These are just a few reasons why 37% of our respondents prefer visiting a convenient care facility versus their regular doctor’s office.
• As convenient care facilities grow, Americans rely on them more and more. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans say they don't have a primary care doctor, and 78% have visited a convenient care facility at least three times in the past year. Over half went to a walk-in clinic, and 82% went to urgent care. This trend underscores the increasing demand for dedicated nurses in walk-in clinics and urgent care centers.
• Americans seek the top treatments at these convenient care facilities for illnesses or infections, injuries or pain, and tests, screens, or physicals. 
• When looking at age, millennials are most likely to visit a walk-in clinic, and baby boomers are least likely. However, the story differs regarding those most likely to visit urgent care. Our respondents revealed that the older the generation, the more likely they are to visit urgent care. 

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• When exploring why insured and uninsured Americans opt to visit a convenient care facility, uninsured people go mainly because of lower costs, and insured people go primarily because of immediate availability.
• Many insured Americans feel their health insurance is inadequate due to high deductibles, copays, or lack of coverage. Sixty one percent of Americans are unsatisfied or somewhat satisfied with their health insurance coverage. 
• Whether insured or not, both types of Americans made similar visits to walk-in clinics and urgent care centers in the past year. 
• Regardless of insurance status, medical care often brings common frustrations for Americans. Topping the list are long wait times, rushed visits, and concerns not taken seriously. These systemic issues highlight the critical role that attentive and empathetic nurses can play in improving patient experiences.
• Patients seeking medical care expect timely treatment, compassionate care and practical solutions.

When respondents were asked about these particular frustrations, some noted that these issues were more common when visiting a primary care physician. The most common frustrations when visiting primary care offices include:

• Billing and administration issues
• Concerns not taken seriously
• Condescending or dismissive treatment
• Denial of standard tests
• Poor communication and rushed visits 

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The survey was conducted In April 2024, among 1,004 Americans who had visited a CVS Minute Clinic, independent walk-in clinic, or urgent care about their experience. Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 76 and were 49% female, 49% male and 2% nonbinary.