Across the board, mobile technologies have changed the game, making information and interaction instantaneous in ways that would never have been possible before their advent.
And the healthcare industry is no exception. In 2014, a
Deloitte study found that one in six doctor visits in the US were done virtually, a platform that’s saved users approximately US$5 billion.
Dr. Snehal Patel, founder of Singapore health tech startup MyDoc, said that soon, mobile healthcare services won’t only be more convenient, but will be essential in the workplace.
Earlier this month, Patel launched a new service on his mobile platform – users of MyDoc can now obtain and submit medical certificates without ever having to step foot in a clinic. Paired with its online prescription and remote video consultation platforms, the application now offers a comprehensive, end-to-end suite of healthcare services for patients.
“From a patient perspective, the entire healthcare process is seamless,” Patel said. “Being able to see your record online may help you to manage your medical conditions. You can access it from anywhere in the world.”
But while individual patients are the end-users, the service is currently only available to corporate accounts, and Patel intends to keep it that way. He sees the product as a complementary tool to firms’ HR functions and a means for insurance groups to better serve clients.
“There’s demand from the big insurers and corporates that we spoke to,” he said. “The insurers reduce cost with hassle-free claims administration and improved efficiency. The corporates improve employee productivity and increase revenue.''
Science has repeatedly proven that healthier workers make for more productive workers. According to Patel, mobile healthcare services don’t only cut healthcare costs, but bring up efficiency and productivity in the workplace. That’s to the advantage of both employees and employers.
At a time when
rising healthcare costs are putting ageing workforces at risk, services like MyDoc that put affordability at a premium or more important than ever. With these mobile healthcare services, companies no longer have to make a choice between welfare and wealth.
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