What a busy week!
We’ve used the preponderance of our time this week to buckle down on our UI while also implementing feedback from the army (see what I did there?) of folks who have helped us along the way. We’ve also been focused on understanding potential commercial markets for a dual use role, as well as shaping and developing a more accurate cost structure. Things are really starting to come together – stay tuned for exciting news!
As always, a huge shout out to our advisors, friends, and other folks out there who have helped us reach where we are today. We are extremely grateful for your time, energy, and advice!
Team 3
Doug Powell: Former 4BN 3SFG Surgeon; current Staff Intensivist, First Health Physicians Group
– Pivot to explicitly focus on telemedicine consult is the right move.
– Importance of ensuring format of transcript resemble what receiving physicians are already used to hearing/ seeing.
– Demonstrated preference for segmenting “blood” and “fluids” on UI.
Roger Dail: Former 18D; CEO & Founder – Ragged Edge Solutions
– Assessment of potential long-term opportunities and partnership between TUPAC and RES.
– Update on DHA’s (J-4) March 5th, 2019 SPEARPOINTS [Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Purposed Emergency Access Response (SPEAR) Point of Injury and Trauma Simulation (POINTS)] RFI and Statement of Objectives release, and TUPAC applicability.
– Invitation to observe future training lanes (International SOF and SOCOM) and test app and attend Special Operations Medical Association Scientific Assembly (SOMSA) in Charlotte (May 6-10).
Phil Cotter: 18A, 3SFG; SOFACC Graduate; Original problem sponsor
– Formal introduction to the team and TUPAC post deployment to Africa.
– UI needs a means of establishing next steps between user and physician, i.e. “contact at XXX time via XXX number.”
– Final pitch coordination and logistics.
TW (name withheld): 18A, SMU; SOFACC graduate
– Focusing on the telemedicine consult script is an easy, early win.
– UI is easy to understand, especially for those currently using PFC workflow.
– Demonstrated preferences for scrolling.
Jack Broaddus: CEO, Sunnyside Communities; broad PE/VC experience
– Successful strategies for pitching to investors.
– Importance of accurately assessing risk and understanding your capital structure.
– Telemedicine applications for aging in place services.
Richard Moon: MD; Medical Director, Duke University School of Medicine, Hyperbaric Center
– Introduction to Duke Dive Medicine – Doctors for Divers and Duke University’s Center for Hyperbaric Medicine.
– Doctor for Divers 24 hrs telemedicine resources; early feasibility assessment of how an app like TUPAC might fit in.
Brian Dickens: MD; CEO & Founder, Missionary Telemedicine Organization
– Broad overview of organization, capabilities, and current efforts to create a telemedicine network for missionaries serving in areas like the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
HH (name withheld): Nurse Practitioner, Cigna Global Health Services
– Asked: “Would a tool for making telemedicine consults quicker have an impact on how you do your job as a coordinator for medical services to Americans traveling abroad looking to get connected with their American resources?”
– Summary of Answer: It wouldn’t make my specific job easier because I ensure that the patient simply gets hands-on care, whether it be in the country they’re in or back here in the US. However, for the teams who deal with initial telemedicine calls, then this will undoubtedly help. Having a script is a great thing to focus on.
TB (name withheld): Software Engineer, Lyft (Duke Alum)
– “This will be relatively easy to get off the ground- as I understand it, you’re creating a series (albeit long) of UI’s that simply collect data into a simplified format for sending on pre-existing networks. From a cost perspective, this is a great first move because you don’t require 1) any server space or 2) active platform management.”
– “Looking ahead, you have time to build out a baseline using just one smart developer, launch that prototype, and then have time to look at expansion to your Phase II (in-app messenger platform and web service) while your product markets itself in the military community”.
Joe Palermo: Corporate Pilot, Lowes Home Improvement
– In case of in-flight emergency, Lowes currently contracts with MedAire (Part of International SOS group). Teleconsult was similar to military process where script is created verbally, to a nurse, and then consult was set up with doctor.
– There is a need for a more streamlined process that could leave the nurse out entirely and still get info to remote physician.
JK (name withheld): Sales Manger, Test I.O.
– Interview focused on testing procedures for different types of mobile applications, highlighting the process that we may want to consider of incorporating an iterative testing plan to the developer of our app. Later, when we have more capabilities and users, there are corporate solutions to outsource testing to experts (and this is what his company does).
– For us, we need to be careful of developer bias in testing. When we help them write a list of test cases, we need to make sure to not let their involvement in the development affect their testing decisions and outcomes. In fact, it might be good to have simple human testing done on initial prototyping before it hits customers to just “play around with the app” to make sure all of the functions are operational by the time it is ready to get in soldiers’ hands.