Digital specialist healthcare solutions for underserved communities

• Geographic Disparity in Healthcare Access: Approximately one-third of Australia’s population resides in regional and rural areas, where access to specialist healthcare services is severely limited. The average wait time to see a specialist in the public system exceeds 24 months due to this geographic disparity.

• Low Tech Adoption in Healthcare Facilities: The majority of public hospitals in Australia, nearly two-thirds, still rely on paper records and lack digital infrastructure. This outdated system leads to inefficiencies in communication, patient record management, calendar coordination, and other administrative tasks, hindering the delivery of quality healthcare.

Solution: Telecare's Approach:

• Consolidation of Specialist Doctors: We have built a robust network of over 300 specialist doctors on our platform, addressing the scarcity of specialist healthcare professionals in underserved areas.
  
  • Technology Empowerment: Through our advanced technology platform, we empower hospitals and healthcare services in regional and rural areas to efficiently connect patients with the right specialists. This includes streamlining communication, patient record management, and appointment scheduling.
  • Clinical Support Tools: Our platform equips specialists with clinical support tools that enhance their efficiency, allowing them to dedicate more time to patient care and less time to administrative tasks.

In essence, Telecare solves the problem of geographic distribution of specialist doctors and addresses the inefficiencies in healthcare delivery by providing a comprehensive solution that leverages technology and a network of highly skilled practitioners.

• Target Audience: Telecare primarily serves public hospitals, general practitioners, and other government or not-for-profit organizations involved in facilitating patient care. While we operate as a specialist service, we rely on integration with these entities to triage and facilitate the process of referring patients to specialist care.

• Focus on Chronic and Complex Disease Patients: Our solution directly impacts individuals who require continuity of care for chronic and complex diseases. These patients represent the 20% of the population who are the sickest and generate 80% of the total medical spend. They often struggle with managing conditions such as chronic pain, diabetes, and developmental pediatric issues.

• Impact on Patients’ Lives:

  • Improved Access to Specialized Care: Telecare ensures that patients with chronic and complex diseases have access to specialized healthcare services, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.
  • Enhanced Continuity of Care: By connecting patients with specialist doctors, Telecare facilitates continuity of care, ensuring that patients receive the ongoing support and treatment they need to manage their conditions effectively.
  • Better Health Outcomes: Our solution enables early intervention, timely diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans, leading to improved health outcomes for patients. By receiving specialized care tailored to their needs, patients can better manage their conditions and lead healthier lives.

In summary, Telecare’s solution serves healthcare providers and organizations involved in patient care, ultimately benefiting chronic and complex disease patients by providing them with improved access to specialized care and better health outcomes.

• Diverse Expertise: Our team comprises a diverse mix of medical practitioners, technologists, and business experts. This unique blend of backgrounds and skills equips us with the knowledge and experience needed to provide high-quality clinical governance while also running a profitable business.

• Understanding of Healthcare Dynamics: Having delivered our services to hospitals, specialists, and other healthcare stakeholders, we understand the intricacies and challenges of the healthcare industry. We recognize the importance of co-design and collaboration, leveraging insights gained from these interactions to continuously improve our products and services.

• Built for Real-World Challenges: We are not just developing solutions in isolation; we are building for the problems we encounter daily. By harnessing the feedback and insights from our interactions with healthcare providers and patients, we ensure that our products and features have immediate product-market fit and effectively address real-world challenges.

In essence, Telecare’s team is uniquely positioned to deliver our solution by combining clinical expertise, technological innovation, and business acumen to address the complex needs of healthcare stakeholders and patients.

• Significant Growth Trajectory: Over the past five years, Telecare has experienced exponential growth, doubling our revenue year on year. This sustained growth demonstrates the scalability and viability of our business model.

• Expansion and Partnerships: Recently, we have strategically partnered with 20 public hospitals, establishing our services as virtual inpatient and outpatient departments within their healthcare systems. These partnerships signify a significant milestone in our journey and underscore the increasing recognition and adoption of our services within the healthcare industry.

• Financial Stability and Cash Flow Positivity: Telecare has achieved cash flow positivity, indicating strong financial stability and sustainability. This achievement is a testament to our sound business strategy and operational efficiency.

• Future Outlook: Looking ahead, we are confident that more hospitals and healthcare organizations will recognize the advantages of our services. As telehealth and virtual healthcare continue to gain prominence, we are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and further expand our reach.

In summary, Telecare’s selection of the current stage is based on our impressive growth trajectory, strategic partnerships, financial stability, and optimistic outlook for future expansion within the healthcare industry.

• Global Expansion Goals: Telecare is actively seeking opportunities to expand our services globally. While we have successfully established ourselves in the Australian market, we recognize the importance of navigating the complexities of international expansion.

• Need for Support and Expertise: We are applying to this competition because we understand the value of receiving support and expertise to navigate the challenges associated with global expansion. From understanding country-specific funding structures to navigating regulatory frameworks and go-to-market strategies, we recognize that expert guidance will be essential for our growth trajectory.

• Diverse Healthcare Landscapes: Although the delivery of telehealth consultations remains consistent regardless of location, the healthcare policies and infrastructure vary significantly from one country to another. Navigating these differences will be crucial for successfully entering and establishing ourselves in new markets.

• Opportunity for Growth and Impact: By participating in this competition, we hope to leverage the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities available to accelerate our global expansion efforts. Ultimately, our goal is to extend our reach and impact, ensuring that individuals worldwide have access to quality healthcare services regardless of their location.

In summary, Telecare is applying to this competition to access the support, expertise, and resources needed to navigate the complexities of global expansion and achieve our mission of making healthcare accessible to all, regardless of geographic boundaries.

• Holistic Solution: What sets Telecare apart is the holistic nature of our solution. We not only provide access to a diverse workforce of specialist doctors but also offer a comprehensive software platform that enables the rapid and efficient deployment of their services. This end-to-end approach ensures that healthcare organizations can seamlessly access and utilize specialized services without the burden of managing large workforces or complex software systems.

• Integration of Workforce and Technology: Many hospitals and healthcare organizations lack the resources to manage both a large workforce of specialist doctors and a sophisticated software platform for service delivery. Telecare bridges this gap by providing an integrated solution that combines access to specialist expertise with cutting-edge technology, streamlining the process for healthcare providers.

• Turnkey Accessibility: By offering a turnkey solution, Telecare reduces the barrier to entry for healthcare organizations. Our accessible platform allows hospitals and healthcare providers to quickly and cost-effectively access over 30 specialties, empowering them to expand their service offerings and meet the diverse needs of their client base.

In essence, Telecare’s innovation lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive solution that seamlessly integrates workforce availability and technology, ultimately empowering healthcare organizations to deliver specialized services efficiently and effectively.

Telecare’s Theory of Change:

1. Identifying the Problem: Recognizing that health equity is a global issue exacerbated by geographic barriers and limited specialist availability and time.

2. Telehealth Integration: By implementing telehealth services, Telecare breaks down geographic barriers, enabling patients to access specialist care regardless of their location.

3. Efficiency Through Technology: Leveraging AI and technology, Telecare enhances the efficiency of specialist doctors on the platform, allowing them to see more patients within their limited time.

4. Increased Access to Care: Through the combination of telehealth and technological advancements, Telecare aims to increase access to specialized medical care for underserved populations, including those in rural and remote areas.

5. Impact: By delivering more efficient and accessible healthcare services, Telecare expects to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and ultimately contribute to greater health equity globally.

In summary, Telecare's theory of change revolves around leveraging telehealth and technology to overcome geographic barriers and increase the efficiency of specialist care delivery, thereby expanding access to quality healthcare and addressing health disparities worldwide.

You can read more about what we've done with research organisations such as the University of Melbourne, QLD Department of Health and the Royal College of Hospital Administrators here.

1. Good Health and Well-being: Our primary impact goal is to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes for underserved areas, particularly those facing high chronic disease burden rates.

   • Measurement: We track the number of consultations provided to patients in underserved areas, focusing on regions with high chronic disease prevalence. Additionally, we monitor key health indicators such as disease management, treatment adherence, and patient satisfaction to assess the impact of our services on healthcare outcomes.

2. Reduced Inequalities: Telecare aims to reduce inequalities in healthcare access by providing specialized medical services to populations that have historically been underserved.

   • Measurement: We measure progress by analyzing the distribution of our services across geographic regions and demographic groups. By monitoring the proportion of consultations delivered to underserved communities, we track our contribution to reducing healthcare disparities.

3. Partnerships for the Goals: Collaboration is crucial for achieving sustainable impact. Telecare actively seeks partnerships with local healthcare providers, governments, and non-profit organizations to extend our reach and maximize our impact.

   • Measurement: We assess the number and quality of partnerships established, focusing on the diversity of stakeholders engaged and the extent of collaboration in addressing healthcare challenges in underserved areas.

By aligning our impact goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Telecare is committed to driving positive change in healthcare accessibility, chronic disease management, and overall health outcomes for underserved communities. Through rigorous measurement and evaluation, we ensure accountability and strive to continually enhance our impact on the journey towards sustainable development.

1. AI Models: Telecare is developing proprietary AI models trained on the data consolidated from telehealth consultations. These AI models are deployed to automate and streamline various administrative tasks associated with consultations, both upstream (pre-consultation) and downstream (post-consultation). By leveraging machine learning algorithms, we aim to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of administrative processes, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.

2. Software Solutions: Our platform integrates advanced software solutions designed to support the delivery of telehealth services. These solutions facilitate various aspects of the consultation process, including appointment scheduling, patient record management, communication between healthcare providers and patients, and billing. By providing a comprehensive suite of software tools, Telecare enables seamless and efficient telehealth interactions, enhancing the overall user experience for both healthcare providers and patients.

3. Stakeholder Collaboration Platform: Telecare's strength lies in its ability to engage multiple stakeholders on its platform and solicit feedback on features and products. Through collaborative discussions and user testing, we continuously refine and improve our technology solutions to better meet the needs of our users. This iterative approach ensures that our technology evolves in tandem with our service delivery, resulting in a platform that is increasingly adept at facilitating healthcare delivery and enhancing patient outcomes.

In summary, Telecare's core technologies include AI models for automating administrative tasks, software solutions for telehealth service delivery, and a stakeholder collaboration platform for iterative improvement and innovation. These technologies collectively empower Telecare to deliver high-quality telehealth services efficiently and effectively, ultimately improving access to healthcare for underserved communities.

Full-time 25

Part-time 5

Contractor 10

We were founded in June 2019

Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Telecare 

As a female-led organisation founded by four co-founders from immigrant backgrounds, Telecare is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level. Diversity initiatives led by Lina, our female co-founder and COO, aim to create a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. 

Diversity in Leadership: 

At Telecare, we prioritise diversity in leadership, and Lina, our COO and co-founder, embodies this commitment. Her leadership not only reflects our dedication to supporting and empowering women but also serves as a driving force behind our gender-balanced leadership structure. 

Our advisory board reflects our commitment to gender diversity, with two out of three members being female. This diversity extends to our staff, where two-thirds identify as female, and we maintain a 50:50 ratio of male and female clinicians, compared to the industry average of 60:40. 

On an age basis, there is an equal split amongst employees aged 21-30, 31-40, 41-50 and aged 50+. 

Telecare staff also come from a wide variety of ethnic and migrant backgrounds from over 10 countries. 

Goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: 

Our goals for diversity focus on the following: 

• Racial equity: We are committed to further increasing the representation of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds within our staff and leadership team. 

• Gender equity: We aim to maintain our equal gender split across all levels of the organisation and ensure that women have equal opportunities for leadership and advancement. 

• Inclusion: We are dedicated to ensuring that all patients and employees from LGBTI, disability, or veteran backgrounds are treated fairly, respected, and fully included in our organisation. 

Actions Taken: 

We have implemented several initiatives to achieve our diversity goals: 

• Diverse Recruitment Practices: We go beyond traditional recruitment methods to actively seek out candidates from diverse backgrounds. Our hiring processes are designed to be fair and inclusive, ensuring that all applicants have an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and experiences. 

• Training and Development: We provide ongoing training on topics such as unconscious bias, cultural competence, and inclusive leadership to newly joined staff members.

• Cultural Team events: We arrange monthly team bonding events that aim to raise cultural awareness and increase racial and cultural inclusion. We intentionally expose our team to a variety of different cultures. These events not only foster a sense of belonging but also promote dialogue and understanding among team members from diverse backgrounds. 

• Community Partnerships: We partner with hospitals and organisations that share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to amplify our impact and reach. In the last 3 months, we have focused on intentionally increasing patient referral volumes we receive from veterans and other marginalised patient groups.   

1. B2B/B2G Model: Telecare operates as a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-government (B2G) model, providing specialist healthcare services and software solutions directly to organizations such as hospitals, healthcare providers, and government agencies.

2. Fee for Service: Our primary revenue stream comes from a fee-for-service model, where organizations pay for the specialist services and software platform provided by Telecare. This fee covers the cost of accessing specialist doctors on our platform, as well as utilizing our technology solutions for telehealth consultations and administrative tasks.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS): In addition to our core fee-for-service model, Telecare offers modularized software solutions as Software as a Service (SaaS). Organizations can subscribe to these SaaS solutions to access specific features or functionalities of our technology platform on a subscription basis. This allows organizations to benefit from the efficiency and effectiveness of our software solutions without necessarily needing to access our specialist workforce.

4. Growth of SaaS Component: Telecare anticipates that the SaaS component of our business will continue to grow as organizations seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare delivery. By providing modularized software solutions, we cater to a broader range of businesses that may not require specialist services but still value the benefits of our technology platform.

In summary, Telecare's business model revolves around providing specialist healthcare services and software solutions to organizations through a fee-for-service model, with the additional offering of modularized software solutions as SaaS. This model enables us to meet the diverse needs of our clients while driving revenue growth and expanding our impact in the healthcare industry.

1. Utilization of Funds: Telecare has strategically utilized the funds raised, totaling 2.7 million AUD, to build and scale our platform, expand our specialist network, and develop our software solutions. These investments have enabled us to establish a strong foundation for sustainable growth and operational efficiency.

2. Achieving Cash Flow Positivity: Despite the initial investment, Telecare has successfully achieved cash flow positivity in recent months. This milestone indicates that our revenue streams are now exceeding our operational expenses, allowing us to operate sustainably without relying on additional funding.

3. Revenue Growth: Telecare is annualizing 8 million AUD in revenue, demonstrating substantial growth and revenue generation within a relatively short period. This revenue milestone signifies the effectiveness of our business model and the demand for our services within the healthcare market.

4. Path to Financial Sustainability: With a solid revenue base and positive cash flow, Telecare is well-positioned to achieve financial sustainability without the need for additional funding. However, recognizing the opportunity for accelerated growth and expansion, we plan to raise another round of funding to fuel our growth trajectory and capitalize on the strong market demand for our services.

5. Evidence of Success: The combination of achieving cash flow positivity, annualizing significant revenue, and a clear path to financial sustainability serves as tangible evidence of Telecare's successful business model and operational execution. These achievements validate our ability to generate value for stakeholders while driving positive impact in the healthcare industry.

In summary, Telecare's plan for financial sustainability is rooted in prudent financial management, revenue growth, and operational efficiency. Our success in achieving cash flow positivity and annualizing substantial revenue demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach and positions us for continued growth and impact in the healthcare sector.