I'm feeling a bit under the weather so I went to Walmart today. Under normal circumstances, Walmart is a place I avoid. Too many people, too much cheap stuff from China, too much stuff in general. I prefer more relaxed shopping in places that are smaller and frankly more upscale (think Whole Foods and Anthropologie). And I sort of like to go to a grocery store, pharmacy, flower shop, card store, etc., separately, not together in a full-court press, energy sapping marathon shopping experience.
However, the hospital where I work opened two urgent care clinics at local Walmart stores over the past year. One of my work colleagues went last week and told me what a wonderful experience it was. So on my way home from work, I stopped in.
It was an impressive, customer friendly experience. It was as close to an old-fashioned family doctor visit as anything I have experienced since childhood. Remember when doctors had 'office hours'? It meant that you went, sat in a waiting room and on a first-come, first-served basis, were seen by the one doctor in the practice and had your problem addressed. I remember my dad taking me to Dr. Visoke's office in McKeesport, sitting in a nearly-full waiting room and taking our turn.
Well this wasn't a doctor at the Walmart clinic, it was a nurse practitioner. His exam was thorough, he was kind and attentive, the visit was unrushed because there was only one other patient there before me, and it was no-hassle. Don't get me wrong, I love my PCP. But all the 'stuff' that accompanies a doctor's office visit and a doctor's office, is simplified with the urgent care clinic concept. Just stop in; make the co-pay (in this case a mere $20), see the practitioner, and be on your way.
Wow, Walmart.
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