Millennials will change the course of healthcare, according to a PNC Healthcare survey conducted in January, 2015. Note the trends among this demographic group (age 21-32) poised to overtake boomers in buying power...
- Desire for speedy delivery of care (preference for retail clinics)
- Greater reliance on word-of-mouth marketing (e.g. Yelp, Healthgrades)
- More online review of insurance options prior to selection
- Preference for upfront treatment estimates
- Kicking care down the road (due to high medical costs)
The world's largest retailer wants to be your doctor too.
Walmart is stepping up its healthcare game with a leap into primary care. This is a bold move following limited success with its retail health clinics (opened 260; closed 166*). CVS and until last year, Walgreens, have been careful not to overstep into primary care - thus, minimizing the ire of local doctors. Contrary to that, Walmart's intention is for new clinics in South Carolina and Texas to act as a primary care provider. Given Walmart's geo footprint, their primary care concept may play out well as rural areas are traditionally underserved by primary care providers.
Expansion will continue by Walmart, as well as CVS and Walgreens. At stake, a greater slice of the Obamacare pie…or, is it goodwill they're after? >>Read more
Weigh in…would you call on Dr. Walmart?
*Merchant Medicine
A recently published study by the RAND Corporation examined whether a trip to one of the growing number of retail clinics would disrupt doctor-patient relationships.
The results were mixed:
- Those visiting retail clinics were less likely to return to their primary care physician.
- Yet, no evidence revealed that retail clinic visits disrupted preventative medical care or diabetes management (key measurement of quality of care).
Rachel O. Reid, a study co-author noted,
"Retail clinics are still in their infancy and over time we may or may not observe a more negative impact of retail clinics on preventive care or continuity of medical care."
The study included a review of Aetna insurance claims from
2007-2009. Patients visiting a retail clinic with an acute condition in
2008 were identified. Researchers compared the retail clinic patient's
pattern of care with those who visited a primary care physician for an
acute condition during the same timeframe. >>Read more
