The doctor is in … Aisle 5
–This is brilliant…
More and more stores — from small-scale chains like Bultez’ local Hy-Vee to megamarkets like Wal-Mart and Target — have started trial runs with in-store medical clinics.
The concept is so new that analysts weren’t sure how many clinics currently exist. They said retailers appear to be trying clinics as a way to increase foot traffic in their stores, rather than rely on the clinics as an entirely new revenue stream.
“This cost and convenience trend is coming to a head and that’s what is driving this trend. My prediction is that it will move quite rapidly,” said Matt Eyring, managing director of Innosight, a Watertown, Massachusetts, consulting firm.
The business model is simple — a medical clinic operated by an outside company, and generally staffed by nurses or physician assistants, offers a limited range of basic tests and treatments at a lower cost than a doctor’s office.
–All that in a store like Target and Walmart … how convenient and affordable
Patients never need an appointment and can drop by after regular business hours. Many times, a patient might be heading to the store anyway for groceries and find it convenient to ask about that nagging cough or persistent headache.
–Patients don’t necessarily have to drop their primary care physicians…but many would consider opting for the in-store clinics as a 2nd alternative…They’re also good for people who are without health insurance - which are a lot. “With the number of Americans without health insurance at 45.8 million in 2004, the clinics hope to reach consumers who have to pay out of pocket for doctor’s visits — even for simple problems.”
Read more about in-store clinics.
