Satish Kannan, an alumnus of IIT Madras, began his journey with a singular focus of bringing a new model shift in the healthcare industry. He kickstarted his career with Philips Healthcare, Pune, conducting research and development on specialised equipment, used by cardiologists for conducting surgeries. Kannan co-founded DocsApp in 2015, which is an ISO certified, 24x7 online doctor consultation platform that aims at making high-quality healthcare more accessible in India.
It connects patients to specialist doctors through chats, videos and calls. The mobile and web-based platform offers doctor consultation on the go. Since its inception, the app has acquired a user base of over 10 million people and provides over 200,000 consultations per month across the country.
Kannan initiated the concept because of the geographical restrictions on healthcare. “For a population of more than a billion, access to specialised doctors is difficult in rural areas. A majority of specialised doctors operate in major cities which means people in rural areas have to travel long distances to get their grievances addressed. Since mobile penetration is growing at a rapid rate, we realised the potential of an online doctor consultation programme which led to the creation of DocsApp. People will have to physically visit a doctor only if the health issue is complicated,” says Kannan, CEO, DocsApp.
Speaking about the initial days, the former IITian says, “During our initial run, doctors were enthusiastic about the project. We recruited more than 5,000 doctors who welcomed the exciting opportunity. By being part of DocsApp, doctors could utilise their time more efficiently by assisting more patients while increasing their visibility.”
The app allows small town people access to quality healthcare facilities while protecting the privacy of patients. Due to its 24x7 nature, people can talk to doctors anytime, which is helpful during midnight emergencies. Moreover, people can get a second opinion for surgeries which can help them make the right decision.
Kannan believes that with time, people are getting more comfortable with internet and online dealings. “Initially, people would think twice before shopping on an e-commerce website, but now, it is the go-to site for everything,” he says. The turnaround time for patients has significantly decreased from its initial 30 minutes to its current 5 minutes.
DocsApp can be downloaded via Google Playstore or Apple App Store, making consultations, medicines and lab reports available to you on your mobile phones or computer screens. The app is available in English and Hindi. However, users can receive consultation from doctors in 15 languages.
In response to his journey so far, Kannan says, “We are happy that we are able to provide good healthcare facilities to our users. As we grow our business, we will be able to help more customers. It is indeed a proud moment for all of us.”
Does the general public accept online consultation? “People are slowly changing their mindsets. It is taking time, but people have begun to accept it. The internet has changed the game. People use our service more frequently now. Users have become comfortable in the online service world and have confidence in the platform. Moreover, some patients might find it inconvenient to physically visit doctors every time. By using DocsApp, users can get medications from doctors at their own convenience,” he says.
DocsApp offers several benefits to its users. Patients can save up to 60 per cent by using DocsApp to order medicines or by booking a lab test at the comfort of their home. The online doctor consultation app has several partnerships across the country which allows them to cater to patients’ queries at the earliest.
Going forward, Kannan aims to expand his market presence and reach out to rural areas as well. “We need to create more awareness about our service and product so that we can reach out to more people. We intend on using marketing and other mediums to inform potential customers about our vast benefits. It is easier to reach out to people in bigger cities. Rural areas are difficult and that is why we want to continue growing,” he concludes.