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Major pharmacy
chains may partner with companies that specialize in providing
tests, analyzing, and reporting results to patients. Those results
may be used to guide follow up and corrective procedures.
Other pharmacy chains have announced plans
similar to Walgreen's. One provider of these services, Take
Care, has partnerships with Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy, Rite Aid,
and Albertson's subsidiaries Osco Drug and Sav-on Drugs. |
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In-store
clinics are designed to handle
basic medical problems and
provide tests. Patients are typically in and out in
15 minutes or less. Appointments are not necessary.
These in-store facilities may make it less obvious why
traditionally a doctor's customer has been referred to as "patient". |
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Walgreen's
estimates that patient fees will
be between
$48 and $68. Patients' insurance carriers may
help defray those directs fees. Services
are usually provided seven
days a week by a nurse practitioner
with advanced degrees beyond
a registered nurse. |
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Walgreen's said patients
over 2 years
old may be treated for common conditions such as
strep throat, seasonal allergies, ear
and sinus infections, and skin conditions. Also, the clinics will offer screenings for conditions
including diabetes and high blood pressure, and vaccinations for flu,
hepatitis B, meningitis and tetanus/diphtheria. |
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Competition
from medical facilities located within these near-by and familiar stores will
attract patients out of doctors' waiting rooms. |
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Many doctors
themselves have been plagued with the Doctors' Disease. This disease
displays symptoms that include being unresponsive, uncommunicative,
arrogant, and rude to patients. |
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In its later
stages, Doctors' Disease symptoms result in doctors inflicting patients
with charges that are often inappropriately high. Doctors
manifesting
this disease in the future may experience light patient loads, diminished
profits, and increased time to play golf. Doctors who fail to shape
up may even succumb. Doctors' failure to shape up may lead to
extinction of a large population group. |
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The business
of doctoring will improve or shut down just as other businesses have
been closed by technological improvements effectively implemented by
well-managed competition. |
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