The latest fascinating trend is being noticed in the world of mall culture, 'Doctor's Kiosks'. Currently, outpatient clinics and other medical services are locating themselves in retail places, like malls. Against traditional hospital campuses, medical facilities are making their way to walk-in health care centres at a retail campus, also referred to as a 'medtail'.
Relocating medical services in a mall helps cut the high expense of renting space in office buildings and hospital campuses. It is proving beneficial for medical practitioners as it is a fact that when we make services more convenient, people use them more.
Benefits of setting up a shop in the mall
It is a bare fact that getting an appointment from a doctor requires a long time, say at least a week or even more. A patient suffering from the common flu, or back pain, has to stay at home waiting for their turn to meet the doctor. In the meantime, using a heating pad or warm water, generally make them feel better on their own, and they drop the idea of going to a doctor.
A new clinic around the corner of a mall, with round-the-clock access, patients tend to reach out for the medication purpose, when and where required. These retail clinics even intricate the patients to get an evaluation done they really don't need.
Changing the mindsets of the patients
Most of the 'medtail' spaces are positioned to capitalize on the new consumers. Many consumers are looking to shop for healthcare and related services. When searching, they like to compare costs and look for a desired product or service value. The retail centres also operate for longer hours compared to a typical doctor's office, thus resulting in a more extensive patient base. As per the research by chemist warehouse Adelaide, 80% of patients are likely to change providers based on their convenience.
A symbiotic relationship between providers and retailers
Traditional healthcare moving away from doctor's offices to a shop in the mall is beneficial for both the providers and the retailers. Increased foot traffic and enhanced customer experience prove useful for retailers. Patients who are also shoppers get benefitted from time savings. Moreover, the other medical staffs like physicians, nurses, and technicians working with the healthcare centres and chemist warehouses in Adelaide, also gain more from the high traffic volume.
It is worth noting that a healthcare tenant is more stable than a retail tenant. They tend to go for a longer lease period as they require more time to establish their services.
Conclusion
The health care industry is growing every year, and the Covid-19 pandemic has even caused the general public to be more cautious. Retailers are trying to draw more from this potential market. The growing trend of mall owners stepping in health care providers has provided them with new avenues. It is interesting to note that while apparel retailer's lease has declined around 10%, medical facilities in malls have risen by more than 60%, in last years.
