Forming An Opportunity Belief

1 –  I believe that unmet need exists for having central electronic database with medical history for each individual.

2 – Unmet need: When you come to a doctor or having an emergency you are always filling out same documents over again and again answering if you have any previous surgeries, serious diseases, allergies, sick parents or relatives, etc. Some people may be even in emergency condition where it’s hard to answer such questions related to medical history. Solution would be electronic database that keeps medical history record. I’m not suggesting that every visit should be accurately described and recorded word to word, maybe just a brief summary, simply to keep medical record that contain most important visits, sicknesses, and history. I’m absolutely positive, in the future this database will become a reality, as well as remote consultations, and I think even computer will be able to diagnose the disease with great accuracy by relying on verbal and lab tests, and the previous medical history.

3- the prototypical customers are patients and all people who visit doctors, as well as doctors, hospitals, other healthcare entities, medical institutes, and offices.

Iteration #1:

I interviewed Alex, 51 years old, private practice doctor gastroenterologist.  I asked if this need exist for him as a doctor and what he thinks about the issue overall. He said that the problem does exists for a long time as of now. He was thinking this shall be created a long time ago. He gave me an example of federal tax record and SSN database. His argument was that such system as SSN system exists for decades, however there is no such system for healthcare. He mentioned that as a doctor this system would be very helpful and benefit both doctor and patient . In addition, he mentioned this may help to determine some chronic genetic deceases. However, he said that not all professionals have same opinion.

Reflection: Overall, I got positive response from medical professional. He agreed that this would be helpful. But I think more research and analysis needed specifically from doctors/professionals.

Iteration #2

I interviewed my colleague, 38 years old man, who broke his leg and had a surgery in the past. He said that this would be definitely great if such system would exist. He would not be required to disclose same facts every time to a new doctor and answer same questions.

Reflection: From this standpoint of view I also noticed individual benefit for a person.

Iteration #3

I interviewed my neighbor, 44 years old man, who is religious person and skeptical about traditional medicine.  Although, he never been in hospital, he believed that such database would benefit other people who visit doctors and receive treatments. He commented that this would be a challenge to make such changes in well-established traditional medical system as it may potentially be risky for some doctors.

Reflection:

After interviewing several people, I realized there is a definitely a need. But I also think that deeper research among other professional and doctors needed to determine this need and find out more details and characteristics of it. This would benefit a lot of people who believe and practice medicine treatments.

Summary:

I believe that my original opportunity still exists. Considering how many people go to doctors and medical world is huge, the need will always be here.   I think it's crucial for entrepreneurs to adapt to their customer feedback because that's how they'll be the most profitable in their business.