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July 21, 2004
Would You Like Fries With That Throat Culture?
It is amazing to watch markets at work. The health care industry (where I used to hang my hat as an entrepreneur) has been the source of much hand-wringing the past several years due to dramatically increasing costs. Unfortunately, politicians on both sides have been drifting toward the old familiar cries of "Let the Government Save You!" or worse yet, "National Health Care!!", just as we heard in the 1990s.
Both in the 1990s and today we have seen the power of the market. In the 1990s we saw entrepreneurs create all kinds of amazing solutions that not only made health care more efficient, but most often more effective as well.
Here is today's latest marvel of the marketplace: health care kiosks. It is a fast, efficient mini-clinic that specializes in common health problems. These kiosks operate out of Target and other retail stores. People were "sick" of sitting and waiting for hours in doctors' offices, emergency rooms, or urgent care centers for simple health issues. These new clinics are popping up across the country. They go by the names such as MinuteClinic and Quick Care. They are being widely touted by health care plans due to their high patient satisfaction and moderate prices.
These companies reduce overhead through the application of the kiosk model from retailing. They keep their operating costs down by staffing with nurse practitioners, who are fully trained to provide care at this level. Because of their efficiency, health care plans are encouraging their use by offering lower co-pays (often as little as $5).
So next time some politician suggests the need for expanded government intervention into health care, tell 'em to go to a MinuteCare and get a chill pill.
(Thanks to Ben Cunningham for this suggestion).
Posted July 21, 2004 06:25 AM
Comments
So do you think that the McClinic, I mean Minute Clinic requires a certificate of need for these services? Unfortunately in most states the healthcare system is highly protected and is not open to competition. I would think you can't just open up a clinic where you want.
The Doc in a Box model has worked well so there is no reason to think that this lower cost alternative won’t take off. I think the idea is great in terms of convenience it provides to patients and the relief of some of the burden laid on emergency rooms for common maladies. I would still worry about the level of care provided despite the apparent simplicity of what the NPs and PAs are willing to treat. This would be a great Case Study for the next class Dr. C.
Posted by: TJ at July 21, 2004 12:45 PM
Okay - I am always the devil's advocate on this BLOG. Here goes:
"Doc in a Box" facilities are not always more efficient or effective in really diagnosing or treating illness. I have stopped going to convenience clinics because I have rarely gotten more than a few minutes' worth of attention from the attending doctor. More than once, doctors have missed important symptoms because they are allowed only a few minutes per patient.
And here's another thought: are these facilities actually inside the stores? Aren't there enough germs at Target without inviting in people who KNOW they are sick enough to require a doctor's attention (or PA or whatever)? And when they are finished at the "Health Kiosk" do they walk all over the store spreading their germs over the merchandise?
Posted by: Cindy Warner at July 22, 2004 02:37 PM
at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He consults with a variety of businesses on start-up and growth related issues, and with larger corporations on re-establishing entrepreneurial cultures within their organizations. Dr. Cornwall's current research interests include entrepreneurial finance and entrepreneurial ethics. He has authored or co-authored four books.
