When something as huge as COVID happens, the biggest sector to receive the spotlight is undoubtedly healthcare. There have been discussions about holistic health all around and people are getting interested in more than just the medicines now. They are not using medicine as the last resort but as the first option. Time and again, there has been a debate on the healthcare system and its flaws. It is very important to keep in mind that this is a sector where there are zero scopes for errors.
The pandemic further pushed the agenda and it is time to reboot the industry. Just like any other sector, technology is being leveraged to reboot and health-tech adoption is on a rise. There has been a digital shift in healthcare and the new normal is likely to accelerate this.
The global telemedicine market size which stood at $79.7 Bn in 2020 is expected to reach $396.7 Bn by 2027. Teleconsultations, digital services, and telehealth apps are widely popular in this category. To bring relief to the masses, even the governments of several countries came forward to set up the regulations and contribute to the growth.
A simple Google trends result can show the surge in the search volume of the word ‘telemedicine’, ‘consult a doctor online’ etc. This is just evidence that telehealth is here to stay and isn’t a trend but a remarkable advancement. This growth is further met with Increasing usage and affordability of smartphones, internet connectivity, and reaches in tier-3 and tier-4 cities. Many startups have begun their journey of contributing to this revolution and American TelePhysicians is one of them.
American TelePhysicians: Creating a 360° digital healthcare ecosystem
Founded by Dr. Waqas Ahmed, the platform is aimed at providing affordable healthcare. Ahmed who is also the CEO is a strong supporter of the use of technology in healthcare and has spoken about it at numerous international conferences. According to him, technology has the potential to significantly improve healthcare for all. Along with a team of doctors and IT specialists. Ahmed develops customized technology solutions to solve the challenges as cost-effectively, efficiently, and safely as possible.
The true pioneer of digital healthcare ecosystems, Dr. Ahmed is an IFC & World Bank Think Tank member. He has also been invited to the UN meeting on universal health and has hosted multiple forum events for the esteemed organization. Additionally, he has been named among the Top 50 CEOs of Digital Healthcare organizations.
“Access to affordable healthcare services at doorsteps should not be just a dream, it should be a global reality, and that’s exactly what we are doing.”
The platform has become a savior at a time when healthcare costs are at an all-time high. Moreover, chronic and long-term diseases are increasing every day which has become a point of worry for the government and the people, both.
Americal TelePhysicians’ attraction to healthcare: Accessibility, affordability, availability
Accessibility to affordable healthcare available at all times- isn’t that where we aim for when we talk about our hospitals and health centers. This has been made possible due to new-age tech and American TelePhysicians is truly leveraging this opportunity. While there are several platforms where patient-to-physician interaction is possible, the company focuses on an all-rounded approach to the ecosystem. Everything from diagnostics, to patient records, doctors are interconnected and work together to help their patients reach the optimal goal. The platform has mainly three verticals called CURA4U, Smartclinix, and NeuroX.
CURA4U, is like a marketplace but for healthcare. It focuses on affordability and accessibility. Web and app-based solutions help patients schedule significant health savings online from top providers. There is a wide range of services available on the platform ranging from booking lab tests to radiology tests, scheduling consultations to booking surgeries. There’s also an option to register employees for the portal with plans priced as low as $19 per month for an employee. Besides, patients can also use their CURA4U pharmacy cards to get up to 87 percent discount on medicines.
Smartclinix is primarily a tech integrated platform for physicians and hospitals. The subscription-based platform helps professionals streamline their daily operations effectively. Some of the features include electronic medical reports, medical billing, and a patient portal for effective communication. The professionals can also take care of admin operations, online payments, and referrals. SMS and Email notifications, a task manager, and a management solution for appointments- all have made the platform a popular choice amongst some of the most esteemed facilities and doctors.
Launched in 2020, NeuroX is a flagship product by American TelePhysicians, an online care portal specialized in neuro and psych care. Claiming to be able to connect with a doctor within 24-48 hours, the portal has resources and tools for both the patients and healthcare providers. It has neurological, psychological, and psychiatric clinical care available, all at reasonable prices. They even have a telestroke program to help save patients precious time during a stroke along with post-stroke care. Other services include memory loss cognitive test, remote patient monitoring, and diagnostics. Patients can also educate themselves about their issues and health, in general.
Telehealth, which became the backbone of the health space during pandemic has shown a significant boost and the world has accepted this digital means of healthcare. According to a report, the U.S. telehealth market size which was valued at USD 23.5 billion in 2021, is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.4% from 2022 to 2028.” COVID has effectively shown the gaps in the industry to the world and this will ultimately increase the demand to combine health with tech and come up with affordable and contactless solutions.