On-demand care has shifted from being a convenience to becoming an expectation. Patients no longer just want faster access — they expect healthcare to be quick, local, and available in their communities. The days of planning weeks ahead for an appointment are fading. Instead, patients are seeking care that mirrors the immediacy of retail and e-commerce, where service is delivered when and where it’s needed. As care delivery expands beyond traditional hospital campuses into outpatient centers, virtual platforms, and neighborhood-based sites, the implications for healthcare real estate will be profound.

Shifting Care Models

Research highlights that non-acute settings such as ambulatory surgery centers, diagnostic clinics and outpatient specialty services are among the fastest growing areas of healthcare. This shift is being driven by patient demand for convenience, technology-enabled care models and the need to reduce costs while improving outcomes.

Outpatient growth remains a central theme in healthcare real estate as providers are pursuing smaller, flexible sites that prioritize patient access. Many of these locations are appearing in suburban and rural areas where retail and pharmacy gaps have created opportunities for new care hubs. These facilities are often designed to support multiple services, from urgent care and diagnostics to behavioral health and telehealth integration. In some cases, outpatient practices are even migrating into retail and office spaces, converting existing properties to meet demand and bring care closer to patients.

Technology is also playing a major role in this shift. Hybrid care models that blend telehealth with in-person visits are reshaping space requirements. Outpatient facilities are now being designed with dedicated areas for virtual consultations, digital check-ins, and diagnostic services under one roof. Behavioral health is another driver of this expansion, as communities seek local, accessible options for a growing need that was underserved by hospital-based systems.

Demographic forces are adding momentum: the U.S. population is aging, fueling demand for chronic condition management, preventive care, and outpatient procedures. Fast-growing suburban regions, in particular, are experiencing heightened demand for medical space close to where people live, shop, and work.

Real Estate and Investment Implications

The investment landscape is adapting as well, and medical outpatient buildings have shown resilience, with demand remaining strong even as broader commercial sectors face headwinds. Off-campus properties in particular are drawing attention, as accessibility and convenience are increasingly valued by patients and investors alike.

For developers and health systems, this means location strategies must evolve. Visibility, ease of access and parking are becoming more critical than proximity to a hospital. Design flexibility is also essential. Tomorrow’s top-performing facilities will be those that can seamlessly shift between urgent care, diagnostics, and hybrid delivery models, without costly or disruptive overhauls. Investment in adaptable spaces with strong infrastructure and telehealth capacity will set the most successful assets apart.

Financial performance further underscores the stability of this segment. The outpatient sector is forecasted to grow significantly over the next decade as the aging population requires more frequent and complex care. Long lease terms, relatively low vacancy, and steady rent growth make outpatient real estate attractive for investors seeking predictable income in a volatile commercial property market.

Institutional investors are also taking notice and are expanding their medical office portfolios, drawn by the sector’s stability compared to retail or office assets. Suburban and rural outpatient hubs are particularly attractive, as they combine lower development costs with strong, sustained demand from aging populations.

The Future of On-Demand Care

The rise of on-demand care shows no signs of slowing. As patients grow accustomed to convenience in other aspects of their lives, healthcare providers and investors must keep pace. Technology will accelerate this trend: AI-driven scheduling, mobile apps for appointment booking, and digital-first care delivery are becoming the norm, not the exception.

The implications for real estate are clear. Just as retail transformed to meet the expectations of online shoppers, healthcare must now transform to meet the expectations of patients. For health systems, this means accelerating new delivery models. For investors, it means focusing on flexible, resilient assets that can evolve with the market.

Adaptability will define the winners in healthcare real estate, and those who align their strategies with shifting patient expectations will be best positioned to lead this next chapter.