Yes, I know there are a lot of people out there who won't believe it if you haven't heard about it already, but Wal Mart has decided to dive into the ultra-lucrative medical field. Mind you, I have never asked anything of their pharmacists, well perhaps maybe what aisle Band Aids were on, and I certainly can't imagine being a patient at one of their new "health clinics"--located, surprise!, conveniently inside your local Wal Mart.
For those of you who think I'm making this up, please click on this link or paste it into your web browser: http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=&vid=e2f0d09a-84bf-491e-838a-2a29c5929fd4 to watch the video. You'll see that I'm not just blowing smoke.
If you want to do any further investigation into this matter, other than watching the video you just watched, there are plenty of places in which to turn. However, since this is my space, my time, my thoughts and as long as I'm protected by the First Amendment (thank God), I'm going to report things as I see them.
Currently, there are approximately 400 of these health clinics operating across the United States in locations such as Wal Mart, Walgreen's and CVS Pharmacies. Projections are that we will see that number climb to about 1,500 by the end of the year. Wal Mart hopes to open at least 5,000 of them over the next five years. I don't know about you, but I would prefer to see the same doctor each time I make an appointment. I don't think wanting a little continuity in my physicians is an unrealistic expectation. I really don't foresee that being the case in these health clinics.
From what I can determine, these health clinics will be operated by mostly physician's assistants and nurses who are being overseen by real doctors. I've heard the ratio currently is one doctor supervising as many as 60 assistants and nurses. That statistic alone is a big enough crack in which one can foresee a system ripe full of potential malpractice suits and misdiagnoses.
Where are these assistants and nurses coming from you ask? Wal Mart is actually contracting with local hospitals in each location's area to provide them. The name of this joint venture will be known as "Clinic at Wal Mart" followed by the name of the hospital.
I'm sure there are some of you out there who will view these clinics as a breath of fresh air and a kick in the pants to their primary care physicians' butts for the dent it will be putting in their wallets. Sure, because of Wal Mart's success in rural parts of the country and smaller towns, it may turn out that residents of these areas will have access to better health care than they have been receiving or, at the very least, will not have to drive to a larger city to obtain proper health care.
There are also those who believe that these clinics will be a blessing to the millions of Americans who do not have health insurance. Clients reporting to these clinics will know up front the cost of the care they will be receiving instead of being slapped with an enormous bill on their way out in which they immediately realize their children will be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all week.
So, as you can see, this issue has not proven its effectiveness or lack thereof as yet. I assume only time will tell--although Wal Mart certainly has a reputation for having the Midas touch. All we can do is hope for the best, expect the worst and wait. Then we'll all have the opportunity to make the right decision based on our own circumstances.
I can't help but follow up this serious discussion with a little humor. This is a joke that was told to me several years ago--long before Wal Mart ever thought of entering the medical field. Yes, it is an old joke, but if you haven't heard it, it's not only hilarious but definitely pertinent to this posting. It goes something like this:
One day, in line at the company cafeteria, Joe says to Mike behind him, "My elbow hurts like shit. I guess I had better see a doctor."
"Listen, you don't have to spend that kind of money," Mike replied. "There's a diagnostic computer down at Wal Mart. Just give it a urine sample, and the computer will tell you what's wrong and what to do about it. It takes ten seconds and costs ten dollars....a lot cheaper than going to a doctor. "
So Joe deposited a urine sample into a small jar and took it to Wal Mart. He deposited ten dollars, and the computer lit up and asked for the urine sample. He poured the sample into the slot and waited. Ten seconds later, the computer ejected a printout reading: "You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water and avoid heavy activity. It will improve in two weeks. Thank you for shopping at Wal Mart."
That evening while thinking about how amazing this new technology was, Joe began to wonder if the computer could be fooled. He quickly mixed some tap water, a stool sample from his dog, urine samples from his wife and daughter and a sperm sample for good measure and hurried back to Wal Mart, eager to check the results. He deposited his ten dollars, poured in his concoction and awaited the results.
The computer printed out the following:
- Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener. (Aisle 9)
- Your dog has ringworm. Bathe him with an anti-fungal shampoo. (Aisle 7)
- Your daughter has a cocaine habit. Get her into rehab.
- Your wife is pregnant. Twins. They aren't yours. Get a lawyer.
- If you don't stop playing with yourself, your elbow will never get any better
- Thank you for shopping at Wal Mart.
Hmmm, now I'm starting to wonder if this is where the concept of "Clinic at Wal Mart" had its origins.
Tune in next time for the latest installment of the rantings of a bored housewife.
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