Drive-thru medicine: A hybrid approach

Elizabeth Sutliff, RN, BSN—Dr. Patricia Hoyson, PhD., DNP, APRN-CNP, CDCES

Introduction and PICOT Goals Conclusion

Drive-thru appointments keep potentially infectious
people isolated from others and allows providers to
complete a physical examination while the patient
remains in their vehicle.
In patients that present to primary care with
minor illness, how do drive-thru visits compare
to in person traditional visits with respect to
patient satisfaction?
Current Evidence
Current evidence indicates that drive-thru medicine
is an under-utilized, consumer-approved alternative
for safe and quality care. This method of care
boasts time and cost savings to providers as well
as convenience to consumers.
 Patients generally prefer to be seen via drive-
1 Evaluate the age range and reasons for
thru when ill.
seeking treatment
 Drive-thru care is perceived as the same or
2 Determine the effectiveness of treatment better than traditional visits.
 Patients appreciate the quick, safe, convenient
Discover preference of visits drive-thru care that drive-thru offers.
3  Cold/Flu/Covid symptoms are the most likely
vs traditional
reasons to seek care.
4 Identify variables contributing to preference  Drive-thru care is utilized by a vast age range
Outcomes
SURVEY POPULATION BY AGE
Perception of Care via drive-thru vs
16 traditional
12 Better 12
8 Same 34
4 Worse 0
0 Total 46
10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89

AGE RANGE REASON FOR VISIT

25
Project Description 20
Prefer drive-thru vs 15
traditional 10
A four-week study was conducted at Naples
Yes 37 5
Family medicine with patients willing to conduct
No 1 0
their sick visit via drive-thru. A post-appointment vid o a t he sh o t
o r k
N/A 8 o hr A c Ra Sh w
survey was provided. Analysis of data was /C T r d
lF u re Ea l o o
completed via Microsoft Excel. Total 46 So B

References
• Aghaei, P., Bayramzadeh, S., & Ahmadpour, S. (2022). Drive-through urgent care centers: Could they be the future of healthcare facilities? HERD: Health Environments
Research Design Journal, 15(3), 56–66.
• Lobiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2020). Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice (7th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier.
• Stuart, S., Mandichak, S., Davison, J., Ansell, S., & Parker, T. (2021). Patient perceptions of drive-through medical treatment facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 22(5), 1032–1036.
Bitonte College of Health and Human Services Centofanti School of Nursing