Rent a movie, buy new tennis shoes, get a physical, pick up take-out?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/26/AR200807...

So I was driving through my hometown (Mound, MN) and noticed that the local healthcare provider had moved from it’s traditional clinic building (worn down and now located outside of the new downtown area) to where the old grocery store used to be. I started wondering why, and stumbled upon this article shortly after. Some thoughts as to why:

- It’s cheaper: the cost to re-furbish a new space, and one in an already existing “mall” costs less than building new facilities altogether

- Easier to re-structure: for an organization looking to make changes, it’s easier to find a space to fit current and future needs than struggling in one built for the past

- It’s already located where patients go: my hometown clinic is next to an eye doctor, a Walgreens (pharmacy!), a couple of clothing stores, a video rental store, and a Chinese take-out place so it’s not out of the way, especially in a small community

- Jobs: like the article says, instead of re-locating, the new facility can slightly increase or at least keep jobs where they are

• Hospitals of the Future Aug 22, 08
• Transparent Healthcare May 31, 08