Accenture: Retail clinics in U.S. to surpass 2,800 by 2017

CHICAGO — Accenture is reporting new research that forecasts the number of retail clinics in the United States will exceed 2,800 in just two years. The company projects some 2,805 clinics will be open by 2017, with the capacity for 25 million patient visits. 

 

“Retail clinics are shifting to a clinical focus with more sophisticated services for consumers who want walk-in convenience for their basic health needs,” Kristin Ficery, Accenture’s managing director of health consulting said. “This shift provides a release valve for strained health systems, as they prioritize more critical patient cases, and will give consumers another option for addressing their healthcare needs on their own terms.”

 

By the end of the year, Accenture says there will be 2,150 clinics, with another 350 opening in 2016, with 14% annual growth until 2017. With the proliferation of retail clinics, Accenture points out there is skepticism about their role among doctors, as only 17% of 1,000 doctors the company polled felt comfortable about retail clinics offering primary care services. Additionally, only 16% were comfortable with retail clinics focusing on chronic condition management. 

 

“As more retail clinics shift from cost centers to profit centers, they will be better able to deliver stand-alone profits with greater certainty, so the implications for retailers and healthcare value chain players will be significant,” Ficery said.