American Well Report Sample

American Well is a business started by Ido and Roy Schoenberg in 2006 to provide quick and efficient health care to patients using the internet and telephony. With American Well, patients could be connected with their primary care physician (PCP) within minutes instead of waiting for an office appointment days or even weeks away.
I believe that this concept is a viable alternative to the health care environment today. Connecting with a doctor online provides a quick and easy way for a patient to get medical advice and diagnosis, without having to endure pain or discomfort for days waiting for an appointment. It also means that the patient does not have to endure the elements travelling to an appointment and risk making their condition worse and exposing others to potential illness. This type of interaction will work for many ailments since much of the doctor’s evaluation is based on information provided by the patient, such as where it hurts or what does it feel like. It obviously would not work in cases where important vital information, like blood pressure or pulse, is needed, or in cases of trauma where the doctor needs to feel or manipulate an area, but it can work as an initial screening process.
The Team Edition concept can also add value to the process. Involving the specialist and the PCP in the examination simultaneously would save considerable time and allow for a quicker remedy for the patient. One major barrier to this program is one that has already been mentioned. In many cases, the specialist has to physically examine, touch, or manipulate body parts in order to make a diagnosis. Obviously, this cannot be done over the internet. However, including the PCP in the examination via internet would keep the PHP informed and eliminate the need for a follow-up visit. Another barrier to the adoption of Team Edition might be getting specialists involved in the program. Specialist demand high fees for their services and they may not be willing to offer diagnosis over the internet at a reduced cost. Also the added time and expense of including the PCP in the examination my keep specialists away. Scheduling would also be a considerable barrier, given the busy schedules of most health care providers.
Of the new market opportunities, I see the concept of putting kiosks in emergency room settings as promising. If the wait is going to be lengthy, the kiosks can provide the emergency room staff with preliminary information that would improve their level of care and decrease the amount of time in the emergency room. Including pharmacists in the program also holds promise. Pharmacists can provide valuable information to both the health care provider and the patient concerning drug interactions, side effects, and alternative choices.
If I were part of the American Well management I would pursue some of the next generation options while continuing the expansion of the core platform. As a forerunner in the online medical industry, it is important to maintain momentum and remain ahead of any potential competitors. In today’s environment, especially in the technical arena, changes happen quickly, new ideas are developed quickly, and failure to maintain a competitive advantage can lead to disaster. When opening up a new field aggressiveness is the best answer.