[Ask HN]How can SaaS improve the medical industry?
Specifically apps and Saas to help patients and doctors interact and keep track of progress made. There are some out there like Practice Fusion, but that is a broad platform. What are some smaller services needed out there. I ask because my girlfriend is applying for med school and this field interests me.
2 comments
My roommate is a doctor, and I've been having some discussions on this topic lately.
The biggest concept is to use technology to support the existing dr's workflow. This can vary, a lot, between different types of doctors.
The thing he most often comments upon is the text replacement feature for his office's electronic records. He can type "issued XYZ medication due to past history of .HT." and the system will automatically insert the relevant heart history information (maybe a recent test reading, etc.) into the record.
Saves him time in recording info into the patient records. That seems to be his #1 desire for better tech -- saving time. And making complete entry into the medical records is a good place to work, as it solves a frustration that already exists.
The biggest concept is to use technology to support the existing dr's workflow. This can vary, a lot, between different types of doctors.
The thing he most often comments upon is the text replacement feature for his office's electronic records. He can type "issued XYZ medication due to past history of .HT." and the system will automatically insert the relevant heart history information (maybe a recent test reading, etc.) into the record.
Saves him time in recording info into the patient records. That seems to be his #1 desire for better tech -- saving time. And making complete entry into the medical records is a good place to work, as it solves a frustration that already exists.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing! It sounds like time is the thing that escapes doctors in the most in their day to day work. This is a good thing to think about and base ideas on. Thanks!
Hmm. That's a pretty broad and open-ended question. Are you asking out of idle curiosity?
There are lot of software companies in the medical "industry" as it is. What are your interests?
There are lot of software companies in the medical "industry" as it is. What are your interests?
Fair enough, it was too open. I've tried to narrow it down a bit. My girlfriend is going in to med school and it's made me interested in that industry.
I am interested in helping doctors and patients connect and track progress through web or mobile apps. Practice Fusion's upcoming API has me thinking about that.
I am interested in helping doctors and patients connect and track progress through web or mobile apps. Practice Fusion's upcoming API has me thinking about that.
Got it.
I wrote a couple of things in med school, some of which are still in use.
There are a lot of big players in the medical marketplace.
I would think a very specific niche app of some kind would be most successfull - as in "Helping a diabetic patient report and review their glucose levels with their physician" versus "an all purpose portal where patients can review all their information with their doctors." - you an probably get great ideas from your GF as she goes through.
BTW, I would offer this unsolicited advice: have some patience with her for the next 10 years or so. Medical school can be a major stressor. She may not have time to tell you how important you are to her...
I wrote a couple of things in med school, some of which are still in use.
There are a lot of big players in the medical marketplace.
I would think a very specific niche app of some kind would be most successfull - as in "Helping a diabetic patient report and review their glucose levels with their physician" versus "an all purpose portal where patients can review all their information with their doctors." - you an probably get great ideas from your GF as she goes through.
BTW, I would offer this unsolicited advice: have some patience with her for the next 10 years or so. Medical school can be a major stressor. She may not have time to tell you how important you are to her...
Thank you very much for the info and the great unsolicited advice too. Her and I have had many discussions about how trying the next years will be and hearing your advice about this makes me even more sure that while it may be hard to make it through, it can be done.
As for filling a niche, that seems to be the best route too at this time. It may sound easier to make a general, all-purpose app, but a niche will do better I think. I'll be thinking about that some more. Thanks again!
As for filling a niche, that seems to be the best route too at this time. It may sound easier to make a general, all-purpose app, but a niche will do better I think. I'll be thinking about that some more. Thanks again!