AMA to Columbus Dispatch: Physicians look out for patients' care

Columbus Dispatch
Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

As physicians, ensuring that all patients have access to high-quality health care is our top priority, which is why we support the safe operation of store-based clinics ("Put patients first," Dispatch editorial, July 6).

We recognize store-based clinics can be a good option for patients looking for a flu shot or quick evaluation of whether a sore throat is strep throat, and we have developed principles to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. These principles include such reasonable measures as establishing sanitation and hygienic guidelines, ensuring appropriate physician oversight and advancing communication with patients so they are aware of the qualifications of the health professional providing their care.

Physicians' offices must follow federal regulations, and we feel that high standards of care should be expected whether health care is delivered at your doctor's office or at a store-based clinic. We want our patients to have timely access to the health care they need, but we will not allow haste to compromise the safety and quality of care for our patients.

We will continue to work to ensure that any facility that provides health-care services is operating at the highest possible level. Our patients deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Peter W. Carmel, MD
Board member, American Medical Association