The way the world works has changed in so many ways over recent decades, due in large part to the development of new technology. Remote work environments are incredibly common, and people are finding that they can work from anywhere with just a computer and an Internet connection.
The concept of remote and mobile work environments has also become more prevalent in the medical community with the introduction of options like telehealth, as well as the growing commonality of mobile health clinics.
The following are some key things to know about launching a mobile medical clinic.
Choosing a Community
One of the big benefits of a mobile health clinic is the ways it can help serve an otherwise underserved community or population. It’s important to think about where there is a lack of healthcare resources and services, particularly in rural areas, low-income areas, or places where there are minority populations that could see the most benefits from having access to this kind of care.
Some of the specific communities that have also been targeted by mobile clinics include the uninsured, homeless communities, veterans, migrants, people in public housing, and the LGBTQ community.
Also, just because people are located in an urban area, doesn’t mean they necessarily have accessible healthcare available to them, so this is important to keep in mind when choosing a community to serve.
Mobile Health Cuts ER Visits and Costs
Even if a community has an emergency room relatively nearby, mobile clinics can provide accessibility at a cheaper overall cost than ERs.
For example, there are figures showing the availability of mobile clinics means 600 fewer visits to emergency rooms each year, saving on average $200 for every mobile clinic visit.
Brand Recognition
Sometimes it can be tough when you start a new mobile healthcare business to get people to recognize that you’re even there. This is why in some circumstances, depending on what you find out during market research, buying an existing mobile health care business or franchise can be beneficial.
These businesses will tend to have business models that work already set up, and it can help you get through some of the initial hurdles as you start this kind of business yourself.
Services
For mobile health clinics and services, the two key focus areas are prevention and primary care, so keeping this in mind during planning which services will be offered is important.
According to the National Partnership for Prevention, these facilities take on 25 of the most cost-effective preventative services, and many of these are screenings for things like colorectal and breast cancer screening and obesity screening, as well as services related to smoking cessation and childhood immunization.
Get the Community Involved
As a final note on what to consider when opening a mobile medical clinic, think about hiring staff who will be able to address the needs of the population adequately you’ll be primarily serving. You want a staff who is going to be culturally sensitive and knowledgeable and provide a place where patients don’t feel judged and feel a sense of trust.
It can also be valuable to partner with local community organizations such as social services providers and community health clinics to create a model of business that’s going to serve local needs best.