5 Ways The Healthcare Franchise Industry Will Evolve In 2017

By: Christine Dura

Evolution in the urgent care and healthcare industry has opened opportunities for healthcare franchise development. In fact, the changes in the industry are shifting even more into the future. It is an exciting time to be involved in healthcare and here are five reasons to consider the healthcare franchise industry for your next business opportunity:

1 – Healthcare App Integration

Digital technology continues to push the envelope on the types of data that can be recorded. With several kinds of healthcare apps online, it is easy to track just about any facet of one’s health. What will make this an even more value tool is when the apps are actually connected to EMRs and medical practitioners. It’s not far on the horizon as the technology and players are already in place. Being able to communicate directly with a doctor responding to an app monitoring your health is more possible today than it was before the invention of the smartphone.

2 – Improvements To Telemedicine and Patient Access

Another place where a healthcare franchise can fit into the equation is with the continued growth of telemedicine. It allows doctors to balance patient loads while also reducing wait times. Urgent care will likely continue to draw immediate treatment plans but telemedicine has provided healthcare to non-emergency cases and will keep doing so. Expect to see virtual urgent care clinics built around a model that incorporates telemedicine.

3 – Growth of New Urgent Care Models

Specialized urgent care facilities opening in recent years are pushing this trend forward. It is not uncommon to see urgent care facilities that focus entirely on a single type of care such as orthopedics and chiropractic. A healthcare franchise opportunity exists in the mix with specialty care a great option in markets with an over saturation of competition.

4 – Location-Based Growth In Communication

Again, with thanks to new technology, it won’t be long before you will be able to wear a device that will identify a symptom within your body and contact your doctor for assistance. All without you even noticing it. This would be especially important and valuable in urgent care. Imagine having the signs of a heart attack or stroke transmitted to your medical professional before anything happens to you? The possibilities are endless and are within reach in the near future.

5 – Urgent Care Use Encouraged By Employers and Insurers

Credit must go to the ongoing increase in cost to employers for insuring their employees. With this trend having no end in sight, patients will still drive the overall change in urgent care becoming whatever the users of the system want it to become. A healthcare franchise owner can easily become part of this change. With lower visit costs and faster treatments putting workers back on the job quicker, urgent care will continue to be popular with employers and insurers as a result.

Where Will Urgent Care Go Next?

With technology fitting perfectly with the flexibility of urgent care having the ability to address specific patient needs, this will continue to be an exciting market to monitor. Urgent care and retail based clinics are already responsible for 20-percent of primary care services which will grow as the industry keeps evolving. If you are looking to become part of this exciting trend, look to OrthoNOW for information on establishing your own healthcare franchise.

OrthoNOW is the first and only Orthopedic franchise. Contact Christine Dura at Christine@orthonowcare.com for more information about franchise opportunities.

Christine has over 25 years of quantifiable executive management and franchise related leadership experience within the US and internationally with notable franchise startups in the service, technology, retail, food, health and wellness, financial service, medical care, technology and professional services.   As a Senior Franchise Executive and Entrepreneur, Ms. Dura has been both an individual contributor and has successfully led world-class teams.

Ms. Dura excels at partnering with all core business operations to significantly increase the company’s foot print, expand market share, and generate sustainable revenue and EBIT gains.  Her proven successes, combined with her Master Degree in Training and Development, have shaped Ms. Dura’s uncanny ability to identify opportunities, build mutually rewarding partnerships and produce remarkable results. 

In addition, as a four-time Master and Unit Franchise Owner, Ms. Dura is in a very unique position to leverage her experiences and reputation at all levels in franchising along with her vast personal and professional investor network to drive immediate and long term results.   As OrthoNOW’s Chief Development Officer her role is to identify critical gaps in franchise growth and implement strategies to drive results. Her unique background allows her to leverage past experiences and solid reputation to spearhead OrthoNOW’s national expansion plans.