Acute care telemedicine company recognised as one of ANZ's Most Innovative Companies

Australian emergency telemedicine company, My Emergency Doctor, has been announced as one of Australia and New Zealand’s Most Innovative Companies of 2020.

The annual list, published by The Australian Financial Review and Boss Magazine, is based on a rigorous assessment process managed by innovation consultancy, Inventium, in conjunction with a panel of industry expert judges.

Ranking #7 out of 10 on the Health Industry list, My Emergency Doctor places on the list for their telemedicine work focusing on acute care in regional hospitals and regional health services. The unique telemedicine service offers patients access to emergency and acute care in the after hours period across regional Australia. Senior emergency specialist doctors can be accessed ‘on demand’ by regional hospitals at times they do not have access to an experienced doctor. This enables people who present to regional and remote urgent care centres and multipurpose services to access a senior emergency doctor without the need to present to a base hospital.

The service may be utilised because of a regional doctor shortage or to help prevent the incumbent medical workforce from being unnecessarily contacted overnight thereby protecting the wellbeing of these important individuals.

The AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies list (previously the BRW Most Innovative Companies list) is now in its ninth year. The list ranks the most innovative organisations in Australia and New Zealand, by industry, and is the only national list of its kind. Results were published on Friday 9 October 2020.

In 2020, the list comprised of ten industry lists, compiled from over 600 nominated organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Assessment measures a top innovation implemented in the past two years, with judges specifically looking at how valuable the problem is that the innovation is solving, the quality and uniqueness of the solution, and the level of impact that the innovation has had. Internal elements such as innovation culture, strategy, resources and process are also evaluated.

“The events of 2020 have shone a spotlight on the challenges of delivering emergency care in regional Australia,” My Emergency Doctor CEO Bill Maiden said.

“For example, workforce shortages in emergency departments and nurse-led clinics represent a significant challenge for regional and remote hospitals. These shortages have been exacerbated by border closures and movement restrictions in different states.

“The absence of senior clinical decision makers, particularly after hours, impacts the experience of incumbent staff and the patient journey. In regional areas it means people are being unnecessarily transferred large distances from their local community to obtain treatment. I am thrilled that My Emergency Doctor has been recognised for our innovative service to regional, rural and remote communities and is able to help health services address their workforce shortages by providing access to a senior emergency specialist on demand.”

To learn more about My Emergency Doctor’s innovative telemedicine services for regional, rural and remote health services, click here.

The full health industry list of Most Innovative Companies 2020 can be viewed here.