The Kiplinger Letter, Vol 93, No. 19, reports about 90% of employers will offer electronic visits with health professionals by 2018, up from 67% now. Providing remote treatment for common ailments — allergies, skin conditions, etc — especially after hours, cuts down on more-costly routine office visits. This signals opportunities for pharmacists to provide medication therapy management and other pharmacist-care services.
Kiplinger says to look for employers to be more actively engaged on other health fronts, too. The number that own or sponsor workplace health centers will double. from 20% of employers now to 40% by 2018. Convenience is a factor in their favor, but so is the fact that on-the-job visits encourage enrollment in screening programs. Another plus: Less time getting to and from medical visits means less missed work.
Pharmacists may find opportunities to provide a variety of screening programs at employers’ workplaces.
