Drive-Through Urgent Care Centers: Could They Be the Future of Healthcare Facilities?

Abstract

Objective This study assessed the perception of people toward drive-through healthcare services, their willingness to use them, and the scope of services they would like to receive in a post-pandemic world. Background The abrupt spread of COVID-19 urged healthcare facilities to adopt new infection-control measures. Drive-through testing facilities were implemented as one of the measures to minimize physical contact between healthcare workers and test-takers. Many studies describe drive-through models’ merits, but people’s opinions about them as a permanent attachment to healthcare facilities are unclear. Methods An online survey was distributed through snowball sampling. The survey solicited feedback from adults who lived in the United States. The survey consisted of Likert-type and multiple-choice questions and was completed by176 eligible participants. Results The use of drive-through pharmacies increased after the spread of COVID-19. Most people agreed drive-through healthcare services could be more convenient and safer to use. People prefer to have their vitals checked, and vaccinations received in a drive-through because of the improved infection-control matters and increased comfort; however, they are neutral about the level of privacy they have and the hygiene of drive-through healthcare settings. Conclusions This study shows permanent drive-throughs offering medical services benefit people in times of crisis for the perceived infection control purposes and the improved convenience. A drive-through model can redefine the waiting experience and serve as a new safe triage system in urgent care centers. Drive-through urgent care centers can be adopted as a hybrid of telemedicine and in-person visits.