Who's afraid of Wal-Mart? Maybe hospitals should be

Should hospitals be afraid of Walmart? Maybe: Retail health clinics may prove to be hospitals' most capable competitors in the years to come, particularly since chains like Wal-Mart have already demonstrated their abilities to move markets, according to a video from The Advisory Board Company. Wal-Mart has unveiled their plans to have primary care services available in rural markets within five to seven years. "Wal-Mart may or may not become a major player in the healthcare provider market," Lisa Bielamowicz, M.D., CMO of the Healthcare Advisory Board, said in the video. "But either way, health systems need to fundamentally shift their growth strategy because the basis for competition is about to radically change." Video