Push Doctor is an online doctor consultation service headquartered in Manchester, UK. The service currently has over 7,000 GMC registered UK General Practitioners (GPs) available and connects patients to these for secure online video consultations. The service is accessed via computer or a number of mobile and tablet apps. As the result of a consultation patients can then be referred, provided with a fit note or issued with a prescription for medication.
Video Push Doctor
History
The service was founded in July 2013 by Eren Ozagir and Matt Elcock. Ozagir came up with the idea after falling ill on a business trip to Baltimore. Push Doctor initially received $1.2 million in seed funding and in mid-2015 a nationwide TV campaign aired to promote the service to new users.
In January 2016, Push Doctor raised $8.2 million Series A funding lead by Oxford Capital, Draper Esprit and Partech Ventures. Reports suggest the investment would be used to "strengthen brand position, carry out further product innovations, expand the management structure, including making key marketing and product hires".
In September 2016, Push Doctor underwent a rebrand that included a new logo, a revamped website, an updated iOS app and a new Android app.
In October 2016, SuperGroup COO Susanne Given joined the company as non-executive chairwoman.
In July 2017, Push Doctor raised a further $26.1 million in Series B funding, taking the company's total funding to $37.5 million.
In August 2017, Push Doctor introduced a £500 medical student grant, which is open to medical students at any UK university from their second year onwards. CEO Eren Ozagir said the move would "help the next generation of home-grown doctors get off to the best possible start."
The Advertising Standards Authority condemned a number of advertisments in April 2018 because they "misleadingly implied the advertised service was provided by the NHS and, as a result, that it was misleading because it did not make clear a cost was associated with the service." They also said that the company practice of putting reviews on its website but omitting any that were unfavourable was misleading.
Maps Push Doctor
Market research
A study commissioned by the company found that 11% of the UK population resorted to searching the internet to diagnose health issues when unable to see an NHS doctor. A survey commissioned by the company in March 2016 was reported as showing that 62% of respondents had used a smartphone or computer for GP services including ordering repeat prescriptions, accessing medical records and even Skype-style video appointments with a doctor. 29% had ordered repeat prescriptions online, while nearly a fifth have had a video appointment with a GP. A further 25% were prepared to consider a video consultation if they could have a same-day appointment.
Partnerships
Push Doctor is also a HIPAA compliant NHS commissioned technology provider, offering a primary care delivery platform that allows GPs working within the NHS to provide an online consultation service to their patients.
Performance
In June 2017 it was condemned by the Care Quality Commission as it was found not to be safe, effective or well-led. The inspectors found it was prescribing high-risk medicines to patients without performing proper checks, and in at least one case was prescribing drugs for uses beyond their licenses. However, the inspection did also note that Push Doctor was providing a caring and responsive service, "in accordance with the relevant regulations".
The Chief Executive of Push Doctor, Eren Ozagir, claimed that there were factual inaccuracies in the reports and that guidelines against which they were inspected against were completely new.
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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