Kaufland and Sana are piloting a 'Medical Room' in a Mosbach store that provides telemedicine consultations in a soundproof room after shopping to help alleviate the rural huisarts shortage.

Patients check in via smartphone and receive video consultations in the soundproof room, with on-site assistants who can measure blood pressure and perform an ECG, and doctors are arranged for direct contact when needed.

The concept, called S Medical Room, operates as a telemedicine setup within a store, enabling digital intake, in-store basic health checks, and potential prescriptions, while staff handle routine measurements.

Industry observers from Baden-Württemberg’s General Practitioners Association view the pilot as a cautious but valuable step to expand access in underserved areas, stressing coordination with traditional GP practices for continuity of care.

Public reaction on social media is mixed: some praise increased access and after-hours convenience, while others raise concerns about hygiene, privacy, and the blending of retail with medical care.

The program targets the nationwide GP shortage, noting roughly 1,000 missing general practitioners in Baden-Württemberg and more than 5,000 vacant GP seats nationally, according to Bertelsmann Stiftung data.

Kaufland positions the initiative as a nationwide first to address high demand and long waits for traditional appointments by leveraging non-traditional retail space for medical services.

Medical professionals and the Baden-Württemberg GP Association say such innovations can help if integrated with existing patient care networks to ensure continuity and coordination.

The broader trend shows retailers testing health services to improve access, with examples like dm exploring health products and health checks, signaling a shift toward preventive and basic medical services in non-traditional settings.

Observers see potential benefits in attracting new patients and aiding older residents, but stress integration with existing practices to maintain continuous care.

There are limits: new patients cannot be prescribed medications for chronic conditions or antibiotics on-site without direct physician contact, and some cases may require in-person follow-up.

The Mosbach Medical Room is an external outpost of the Neckarsulm MVZ, with Kaufland providing the space and Sana supplying equipment; success could lead to expansion to additional sites nationwide.