How technology is redefining access to care

Decoding Innovation

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, Oliver Kharraz, CEO and founder of Zocdoc, talks to Mitali Sharma about telehealth and how technology is positively impacting health care.

Although smartphones, internet and video conferencing facilities were available years ago, telehealth has seen its popularity rising only recently — during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting a virtual consultation with your health care provider from the safety of your home proved to be pivotal in a time where social distancing was advocated and enacted. Lack of awareness, privacy apprehensions and limited access to technology may have acted as hurdles for the pre-pandemic adoption of telehealth.

Oliver Kharraz, the CEO and founder of the telehealth platform Zocdoc, explains the journey of Zocdoc, dissects the challenges faced by a virtual health care venture, and throws light on the advantages and possibilities of telehealth.

Key takeaways:

• Telehealth solves the supply and demand problem in health care, and helps patients to find providers when they actually want.
• Telehealth will not be a full substitute but will be a supplement to in-person doctor visits.
• Mental health is an area where telehealth was found to be effective, as providers can view the living conditions of the patient and assess accordingly.