title: Small changes lead to large effects.
abstract: It appears that the U.S. consumer has finally awakened the giant (e.g., Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens). Healthcare is now providing its first consumer-driven business model. It is an opportunity for the healthcare system to better serve the needs of the community and improve access to health services. CCCs can be the catalyst that is needed to improve deliverables in primary and urgent care. It can also be the role model for price transparency and be a part of a long-term investment strategy for many healthcare organizations. As with most business opportunities, there is risk. Entering the retail clinic arena may not be the correct path for all health systems, but for some it may present a viable business opportunity and a chance to be on the cutting edge of the growing consumerism movement in our country.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Hospital & Health System, South Bend, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Newbold
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Neil
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004465:Economic Competition / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D014481:United States