Vapour Cloud has launched TeleDOC to enable GPs and other medical professionals to hold secure, encrypted, recordable, geo-tagged video calls with their patients, wherever they are located, on any device.
With WebRTC* technology at the heart of the product, the result is the ability to efficiently discuss and diagnose health issues remotely, before storing the encrypted video file in a secure vault.
TeleDOC works by sending the patient a one-time-use SMS or email, with hyperlink, which automatically activates the video consultation.
Vapour’s CEO Tim Mercer explains: “So many healthcare appointments involve a patient who is either in some form of discomfort or suffering from contagious symptoms. Because TeleDOC circumnavigates the need for them to physically travel to their appointment, the benefits are clear. The video element means the doctor have visual cues that can help diagnose and advise, and the secure post-appointment storage of the file provides a valuable point of reference further down the line.”
“TeleDOC has been purposefully-developed so that it is easy to use, regardless of the patient’s technical literacy,” he said. “There is also no need to download – and pay for – a costly app. This is an important SMS-powered service delivered by the surgery – there shouldn’t be a charge to the patient.
“From a data security perspective, it is also fully compliant, which is of paramount importance in a world of mounting cybercrime risks and GDPR obligations. The secure vault means the data can be shared with other encrypted users to streamline a patient’s care from start to finish, but amidst security concerns surrounding existing apps, ours is extremely robust. In fact, TeleDOC has already attracted the attention of Government ministers keen to look closer at healthcare technology.”
“We’ve seen telehealth begin to revolutionise the administration of healthcare advice in the US so, given the strain being placed on the UK’s medical infrastructure, it’s about time technology eased some of the pressures.”
“We’re increasingly using WebRTC in our personal lives, via What’sApp for instance. But the UK has been slow to adapt to the wider utilisation of this powerful application – until now. We’re unbelievably excited to see the impact that TeleDOC has. What’s more, we already have six other applications of the video consultation technology in beta testing in very different sectors. So, watch this space!”
Established in 2013, Vapour specialises in secure network connectivity, voice communications and data storage. The fast-growing organisation has attracted £4m of investments since it was founded, and has its sights set on £12m turnover by 2020.