Healthcare's Shift to a More Distributed Real Estate Footprint

Andrew Haslam

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PORTLAND — As with any other sector, healthcare providers are working through issues such as evolving patient expectations and tight operating margins. While addressing these challenges, many health care systems are expanding their access points to connect with more patients. This translates into a more distributed real estate footprint with the goal of bringing convenient access closer to patients.

Integrated Healthcare Assets

“We need more integrated assets across different service lines,” says Andrew Haslam, vice president of Real Estate Strategy for Providence St. Joseph Health. “The best case scenario is a setting populated with a medical office, a healthy grocery store, some affordable housing and even a smattering of seniors housing. Essentially, the health care center is in the middle of the community.”

Future reimbursement models will be based on quality. There will be a shift to focusing on health and wellness and not on sickness, he adds.

“Instead of providing a box or hospital where people are sick, we envision a patient deciding to go to the doctor, making that appointment on a mobile app, and instead of getting prescribed medications, the patient may get healthy food recommendations as well as a suggestion to stop by the gym which is located in the same vicinity. The continuum of care will be paramount,” explains Haslam.

Affordable Housing/Seniors Housing

Haslam also believes there will be more integration with senior housing and affordable living services.