Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514625
5 INTERVIEW 18.01.2024 PAUL COCKS DIGIMED is the brainchild of three en- trepreneurs Keith Laferla, Jessica Poli- dano and Jean Claude Muscat and acts as a platform where patients can enjoy a direct link to their healthcare profes- sionals to access advice, their medical history, and enjoy the convenience of e-Prescriptions at any time, from wher- ever they are. "If you have a health issue, im- mediate access to a doctor as well as your medical records becomes crucial. Ideally, your doctor should have access to your medical history, and this is the essence of Digimed. It's a groundbreaking initiative al- lowing the general public access to their health records outside of the national health systems at any given time—an essential yet surprisingly unavailable aspect in today's digital era," Keith Laferla explains. Laferla, who is Joint Managing Di- rector at Laferla Insurance, explains that the solution will be available on a range of devices like smartphones, tablets, and web applications, em- powering users with control over their healthcare. "Unlike conven- tional healthcare apps, Digimed goes beyond a singular application, establishing a comprehensive eco- system that brings together the three major healthcare stakehold- ers: practitioners, patients, and pharmacists", he explains. e voluntary registration process underscores the platform's dedica- tion to user independence, enabling individuals to proactively manage their health path. e team behind this innovative solution are very much aware that its success hinges on establishing a high degree of trust among its different users. "Trust is paramount. We've ad- dressed health data ownership and security rigorously, establishing a system that safeguards patient data. is builds trust among users, guar- anteeing complete confidentiality. Notably, the platform's architec- ture prohibits alterations to health records while allowing doctors to append additional notes, thereby upholding data integrity," adds Jean Claude Muscat, CEO and Director at St James' Hospital Group. Jessica Polidano, who brought her wealth of experience in data struc- ture and data processing, explains how the innovative element of this new tool lies in its three distinct applications, each catering to a spe- cific stakeholder in the healthcare journey. "For healthcare professionals, the platform provides a multifaceted tool that enables video, voice and text consultations, allowing doctors to seamlessly integrate digital inter- actions into their practice. Having said this, Digimed was not only de- signed to be used to facilitate and record virtual consultations but also to record in-person consultations", she adds. With such facility of use, it is of no surprise that the tool has already re- ceived the strong backing of various medical professionals and associa- tions in Malta. "Indeed, medical professionals have already started using Digimed as their Electronic Patient Record, saving electronic health records for any telemedicine or even in-person consultation, which is then shared with their patients, and also to com- plete digital medication prescrip- tions (or 'e-Prescriptions'). Simul- taneously, patients gain access to their own Digimed portal, ensuring that their medical information is not only portable but also dynamically updatable and therefore constantly accurate," she explained. Medical professionals are also ex- cited about the digitalisation of the insurance claims process of sup- porting health insurance providers, through Digimed, thus doing away with the traditional claim form that doctors usually need to complete. Pharmacists will also have an in- dependent, specific role within the Digimed ecosystem, enabling them to securely dispense prescriptions using a distinctive QR code or iden- tifier which in turn does not allow an e-Prescription to be used more than once, thus enhancing control and minimising drug abuse. Finally, but perhaps most impor- tantly, this is a tool which puts the consumer or patient at the centre of the whole concept. In the post-pan- demic world, people feel at ease car- rying out business meetings, attend- ing their children's parents' days or following their post-grad course lectures online, but have perhaps stopped short, so far, of utilising tech for their medical needs. Digimed introduces an innova- tive telemedicine service, allowing patients to remotely engage with healthcare providers via video, voice, or text communication. is diverse range of channels facilitates seam- less connections between patients and doctors, extending beyond virtual consultations to optimize in-person healthcare processes. Patients have the option to select their preferred pharmacies for ob- taining the medicines prescribed to them. e system initially checks the availability of required medica- tions at these chosen pharmacies, enhancing efficiency for both pa- tients and pharmacies. Laferla shares his belief that this solution is indeed the way to go for the future of healthcare insisting that Digimed's greatest potential lies in the cultural shift that this ecosystem is bound to bring to the health and pharmaceutical sector by unifying stakeholders in the in- dustry, fostering collaboration and synergy. "e convergence of technology and healthcare offers immense un- tapped opportunities, and Digimed stands poised not only as a service but as a transformative cultural in- fluence, shaping the future of per- sonalized healthcare experiences. To unlock the full potential of this endeavour, a cultural shift is need- ed from individuals who may still be entrenched in traditional approach- es", he concludes. Digimed's patient app is being launched this month on web, iOS and Android. For further informa- tion, visit www.digimed.health How Digimed is set to transform the delivery of health services Technology has permeated every facet of our lives, and the healthcare sector is no different. And as individuals increasingly seek convenience, this demand is a significant challenge in the healthcare sector. "is is what led to the creation of Digimed as a digital ecosystem where doctors, pharmacists and patients come together on one healthcare platform," explains KEITH LAFERLA