Virtual Visits

A new study purportedly suggests that “virtual visits” to healthcare providers for certain infections may be as effective as, and cheaper than, in-person in-office visits.  The researchers’ rough estimate of the cost difference with respect to treating a patient with a reported UTI was $74 per e-visit vs. $93 for an office visit.  Query, what are the implications for proper patient screening and care; patient savings; efficiencies; return visit frequencies; over-prescribing antibiotics; access to healthcare; and healthcare real estate needs, costs, and returns on costs per square footage?

Read more at:

“Virtual visits to doctor may be cheaper than and as effective as in-person visits”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/virtual-visits-to-doctor-may-be-cheaper-than-and-as-effective-as-in-person-visits/2013/01/18/8237c028-601e-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html

Read More

There’s an app for that (cough)?

It’s only a matter of time before mobile apps are used in the healthcare industry, and to a significant extent.  What does this mean for healthcare real estate development?  “Smarter”, more high tech buildings?  A reduction in patient days per square foot?  Will there be a shift in the type of facilities needed (e.g., more call centers)? 

2013 could be an exciting year in healthcare real estate.  No matter how you dissect it, there will be changes that those in the healthcare real estate arena will have to seriously consider (e.g., the Affordable Care Act, changes in technology), or risk being left behind….

Read more at:

Mobile health in 2013: From the gym to doctor's office

USA Today | By Ki Mae Heussner, GigaOm | Dec 26, 2012

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2012/12/26/mobile-health-2013-gigaom/1791907/

Read More