Gotta Love It: Rite-Aid Tries New ‘Doc In A Box’
February 6, 2012 in Medical Care
Given my recent frustrating experience with a CVS Minute Clinic, I’d surely be willing to give this a try. Amednews.com reports here on a Rite-Aid scheme to connect patients with doctors in in-store clinics via video. From amednews.com:
When patients walk into a NowClinic at any one of nine Detroit-area Rite Aid pharmacies, they can choose among multiple physicians to see about what’s ailing them.
Not see in person. See on a computer monitor.
What’s going on at these Rite Aids is a merger of multiple trends focused on providing more convenience to patients than, presumably, a physician’s office can deliver.
“A lot of people, unfortunately, are left disconnected from their doctor, whether it’s clinical reasons or financial reasons or availability,” said Ido Schoenberg, MD, chair and CEO of American Well, the technology vendor behind the virtual clinics.
Neither telemedicine nor retail clinics are new — but combining them is.
Martha Bebinger said on February 7, 2012
It’s innovative but if I have a computer, why wouldn’t I just dial a doc from home?
Lester James Hartman, MD said on February 19, 2012
Very interesting!! I missed it but what was your frustrating experience at CVS?