Publix pioneers an easier way to see the doctor
Photo: BayCare Health System
Healthcare in the U.S. is changing, and retailers are offering a lot of services that once required a visit to a doctor's office. As this new kind of healthcare takes shape, Publix has been exploring a new model that is showing signs of success.
As part of a collaboration with BayCare Health System, Publix began piloting healthcare kiosks in 12 Florida locations, according to The Ledger. The kiosks are enclosed in a private room where shoppers can teleconference with board-certified medical professionals to receive on-the-spot, non-urgent medical care. Customers enter their symptoms using a touch screen and then make use of tools provided in the room, such as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs and high-definition cameras, to give the doctor the data needed to make a diagnosis. One-thousand customers have used the service since the December 2017 launch. Publix will add kiosks to 13 stores in response to the success of the program.
Although addressing the inconvenience and high cost of arranging doctor visits for non-urgent concerns, seeing a patient via teleconference might pose some concerns. For instance, an accurate diagnosis could rely on the ability of an untrained patient to use equipment properly — and both the retailer and healthcare provider may face issues of liability.
The preliminary success of Publix's healthcare pilot comes amid moves by some larger retailers to pursue healthcare innovation in partnership with providers, and speculation about even bigger impending mergers in the space.
Last year, for instance, CVS acquired Aetna. Walmart earlier this year was reportedly exploring talks to buy Humana.
And at least one major pharmacy where, in the past, customers would go primarily to pick up prescriptions, is planning on launching clinics focused entirely on services. Walgreens announced a new store concept that will bring together under one roof a range of healthcare service it currently offers at different stores.
- Publix and BayCare Celebrate Milestone for In-Store Telehealth Kiosks – BayCare Health System
- 1,000 people have used Publix-BayCare walk-in care – The Ledger
- Walk-In Care Provided by BayCare Expands Access to Board-Certified Physicians – BayCare Health System
- What would an acquisition of Humana mean for Walmart and its rivals? – RetailWire
- Walgreens focuses on healthcare services in new store format – Walgreens