Foreign OPD, a company known for offering face-to-face consultation for the second opinion, uses hi-tech platforms to address the needs of Indian patients. Dr Inder Maurya, Founder and CEO, Foreign OPD talks about the company’s objective and also shares the corporate plans with Usha Sharma
Tell us the concept of Foreign OPD along with its objective and its relevance in the Indian market.
Foreign OPD (FOPD) is an innovative health tech service firm that, for the first time, in India, provides joint face-to-face consultation both by Indian and International (the UK & the US) doctors for a second medical opinion to Indian patients. Our objective is improving health outcomes by empowering patients in informed medical decision making. With the rising complexities of medical illness, the rate of medical errors and negligence, which has increased exponentially, also resulted in increased mortality and morbidity. To add further, with the doctor-patient relationship, it has reached brinksmanship. We are rebuilding that trust by offering a patient second medical opinion. So, that patient is resting assured of its diagnosis, treatment or disease management.
How are you disrupting the second opinion market in India and what are the challenges you face in the business?
I wouldn’t call it disrupting, I would say revolutionising the SMO (second medical opinion) healthcare segment, by offering a patient-centric solution with the best team of doctors both within India and globally. We have developed a Center of Excellence for Second medical opinion, where we have five top-notch doctors as per therapeutic areas. Talking about challenges, which we face in the business, these are various. First of all, there is still a lack of awareness among patients. Till this date, we adopt a very orthodox approach in seeking a second medical opinion. Mostly, it is a word-of-mouth approach for the selection and not based on the credibility of the doctors, which could lead to more problems. Then comes high cost; since SMO is offered by team of doctors (sometimes) depending upon the complexities of the case, the price increases, varying from Rs 2500 to Rs 10,000.
Tell us the USP of Foreign OPD, which enables face-to-face second opinion consultations, and how cost-effective are they?
We are the only institution in India, which offers face-to-face second medical opinion consultation by International doctors (as well as Indian doctors, if the patient desires so). Our charges are 1/10th of that of our competitors, which is $400. World over, be it Harvard, Cleveland May or top medical centres, the charges range from $875 to $4,000 depending upon the complexity of the case but that too by email consultation. Similarly, our reporting is one week, which is the shortest in comparison with our competitors who take four weeks.
How many Indian-origin as well as international medical professionals are panelled with Foreign OPD and how do they offer the consultations?
We have more than 250 doctors, who further get added with 150 plus doctors from the UK. Our offerings are face-to-face consultation (most preferred). However, we do offer video consultation and email consultations as well.
How do you plan to revolutionise the medical system in India by bringing in a patient-controlled care model? Currently, how many centres/units do you have for patients to visit for a second opinion?
By bringing all the stakeholders on a common platform viz the doctors, patient, clinics, hospitals and diagnostics, they will work in unison to offer the best of SMO with competitive pricing and best humane care. We are also offering in-patient department services, along with lab and pharmacy support. Currently, we are in four cities of India — Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow and Bengaluru. Together, we have over 12 clinics in Mumbai and Delhi with another 30 clinics in the pipeline. Eventually, we plan to have 100 clinics.
Which are the key therapeutic areas you have identified for the second opinion and why?
We have over 25 subspecialities, of which we have started oncology, cardiovascular and cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedic, gynaecology, infertility, pediatric surgery, pediatric ortho, pediatric neuro, dermatology and cosmetic surgery, obesity and metabolic disease and organ transplant.
Besides oncology, cardiology, and neurology, which are the other therapeutic areas that you see people opting for the second opinion? And what could be the reasons for it?
We feel that second medical opinion should always be an expert medical opinion and cannot rest in the hands of general treatments. Hence, we have 25 subspecialities that we offer services in. We would be further expanding these specialities. Having said, SMO is taken for the following reasons:
as a pre-surgical advice.
not convinced with their diagnosis or treatment and therefore peace of mind.
cost as a factor. Hence, to be doubly sure before undergoing a surgical intervention.
certain treatments like chemotherapy, etc maybe life-threatening for which people seek SMO. Hence, one needs to be doubly sure.
What kind of consultations does your company offer to people who are symptomatic to coronavirus? Did you collaborate with any state governments for Covid-19 consultations?
We offer the best of doctor consultation by top-notch infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists, critical care experts and emergency medicine doctors. Along with that, we are in collaboration with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) labs which will offer Covid- 19 testing. We are in talks with the local municipal bodies for offering them full support in patient awareness and disease management protocol based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
The economic impact of Covid-19 is witnessed across the globe, what measures can the healthcare sector take to improve the situation?
Patient awareness and education are paramount. Proper safety precautions as per WHO protocol, effective screening, etc., will go a long way to reduce the burden and panic situation.
Tell us the company’s future plans.
Of a projected revenue of Rs 200 crore in three years, given the demand of second medical opinion, covering 30 cities of India, we have plans to launch 100 clinics this year in 15 Indian cities with empanelling 1000 doctors and 25 >100 bedded hospital for our IPD admission, along with 25 plus sub-specialities. We have our health-card system and we plan to sell 10,000 such cards this year.
u.sharma@expressindia.com