15 Minutes With The Doctor: Learn from Healthcare Entrepreneurs and Innovators

15 Minutes With The Doctor: Learn from Healthcare Entrepreneurs and Innovators

By Dr Vinay ShankarBusinessScienceTechnology
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15 Minutes With The Doctor: Learn from Healthcare Entrepreneurs and Innovators episodes

  • 31: How AccuRx Chain Rapidly Mobilised To Support Family Doctors During The Coronavirus Pandemic With Jacob Haddad
    In this episode, Vinay speaks with Jacob from AccuRx. Jacob is one of the creators of Chain SMS, a program designed for primary care to be able to easily and quickly communicate with their patients, video consult, and send documents. The text-based service has proved a hit with many doctors in a huge shift to virtual and remote consultations in response to Covid-19.
    Topics Covered in this Episode:
    • Chain SMS and its key features
    • The why
    • Vinay’s experience with Chain SMS
    • How AccuRx mobilised quickly
    • Chain SMS statistics
    • The interesting ways Chain SMS has been used during COVID
    • Will there be continued use or growth after the pandemic?
    • Chain SMS and its key features
      • Originally designed for GP practices to communicate information with patients
      • Over the past few weeks, have added the ability to collect data from patients, send documents, video consult, etc.
      • The problem and the solution
      • “As a company, we believe that healthcare is a communication industry.”

        The why
        • Initially worked on antibiotic prescribing and how to send information to patients
        • They wanted to build something easy-to-adopt and a useful way for doctors to contact patients. This led to them launching Chain SMS two years ago
        • Jacob has a personal interest in healthcare systems and improving workflow
        • Vinay’s experience with Chain SMS
          • Chain SMS formed part of a model supporting a switch to a total triage system where patients avoid coming into the surgery
          • “We do a new release of our software every couple of days, and are constantly making really small improvements.”

            How AccuRx mobilised quickly
            • Dedicated time to building good infrastructure (updating software, user accounts, support team, etc.)
            • The team is committed to helping users and improving constantly
            • Over a weekend in March, they enabled features to help doctors respond more effectively to Covid-19
            • They wanted something that worked without an app or required new hardware and have also developed a hospital version
            • “The need to communicate has only just become a lot more acute during Covid, because things cannot be solved face-to-face.”

              Chain SMS statistics
              • 6 400 GP practices in England using the service out of a possible 7000
              • 150 000 patient messages sent each day
              • 15 000 documents and patient responses
              • The interesting ways Chain SMS has been used during COVID
                • Practices can speak to patients on the phone, create a summary of the record or referral, and send it directly to the patient for them to take it to hospital if needed
                • Adding multiple people to video calls (other family members or interpreters)
                • Patients wait in the car park, and doctors send an SMS when they’re ready to see the patient
                • Will there be continued use or growth after the pandemic?
                  • Some facets aren’t specific to coronavirus
                  • Plans and hopes to bring new features and growth beyond primary care
                  • New features like facilitating patient initiation of sending a message
                  • For more information:

                    Website: https://www.accurx.com/

                    24 min
                  • 30: Personalised 3D Printed Nutritional Supplements with Melissa Snover from Nourished
                    On this episode, Vinay is joined by Melissa from Nourished, a start-up where they create a personalised nutritional supplement using 3D printers in single batches. Melissa shares her background that led to this venture, describes various aspects of the product, benefits of the unique market and how their adaptability meant they could create a new blend as requested by customers for nutritional support during the coronavirus pandemic.
                    Topics Covered in this Episode:
                    • What is Nourished?
                    • About the Gummy Stacks
                    • Live Stacks vs create your custom stack
                    • How they designed the personal stacks?
                    • Benefits and challenges of 3D printing
                    • What is Nourished?
                      • How it started
                      • The technology behind it
                      • The problem and the solution
                      • The previous business that led to Nourished
                      • “One of the trends we see is people not supplementing to make up for a shortage of nutrients but to boost performance.”

                        Gummy Stacks
                        • Seven nutrients in the product – Why 7 nutrients?
                        • The UK as a test market and understanding the market
                        • Keep it simple and realise that you do have something to give
                        • “More than half of the UK takes vitamins on a regular basis.”

                          Life Stacks vs create your custom stack
                          • Paralysis of choice potential
                          • Category choices
                          • Blend surrounding Coronavirus
                          • Quick timeline turnaround because made on demand
                          • Response to market demand in real-time
                          • “We can add new stacks in seven minutes.”

                            How they designed personal stacks
                            • Testing for future biometric products
                            • Finding the right way to offer value and generate income
                            • How they chose ingredients
                            • Cost and numbers
                              • Cost-effective price point
                              • A High percentage of people choosing customised stacks
                              • Ambition for number of subscribers now vs 3 years
                              • Benefits and challenges of 3D printing
                                • How the prototype works
                                • Importance of a good team
                                • An open market full of enthusiasts pushing forward for the advancement of the technology.
                                • “When you have a prototype, you have to get as much experience as you can and continually optimise the design until you have something good enough.”

                                  For more information:

                                  Website: https://get-nourished.com/

                                  27 min
                                • 29: Driving innovation by Sharing Equipment with Johannes Solzbach from Clustermarket
                                  On this episode, Vinay is joined by Johannes, CEO of Clustermarket, an online sharing platform connecting researchers in the science and healthcare space to scientific equipment on-demand at leading institutions. The ability to share and book equipment online enables access to tools that can help people innovate faster. Learn about Clustermarket’s why, how and what.
                                  Topics Covered in this Episode:
                                  • Identifying the Problem
                                  • Equipment
                                  • How it Works?
                                  • Income Generation
                                  • Building Partnerships
                                  • Identifying the Problem
                                    • People in the life sciences field have ideas but often don’t have the equipment they need with high barriers to entry.
                                    • One of the co-founders realised the need when he was conducting experiments in the lab and didn’t have instruments needed but wondered ‘what would happen’ if he had what he needed on demand.
                                    • They pitched the idea to universities and pharmaceutical companies and conducted a pilot.
                                    • “We believe innovation is limited to those who have done it before, have a strong track record and are selected by a few gatekeepers who provide money to purchase resources to hit milestones and prove an innovation.”

                                      Equipment
                                      • Equipment type ranges from pre-clinical research to lab space.
                                      • They have 2500 instruments available on the platform from basic equipment such as centrifuges to specialised equipment such as microscopes worth millions.
                                      • How it works?
                                        • Scientist wants to do research.
                                        • Scientist signs up on platform free of charge and can search for service or equipment needed.
                                        • Scientist is able to see where service or equipment is available.
                                        • Request access and communicate with provider through the platform to answer all questions.
                                        • Lab manager can pre-approve and then requester agrees to the terms and provides payment.
                                        • Equipment can be offered from providers with training, a technician or full service.
                                        • “We thought why don’t we use existing resources more sustainably and efficiently to create more outcome.”

                                          Income Generation
                                          • The platform model is similar to Airbnb and other online marketplaces.
                                          • Income is generated from the commission of successful transactions.
                                          • Platform can be used internally within institutions for a subscription fee.
                                          • Building Partnerships
                                            • University College of London bought into the idea because they had purchased a lot of equipment that wasn’t being used efficiently.
                                            • As more universities came on board, trust was built with universities and lab managers in regards to the model.
                                            • Relationships are important to build trust with both the lab managers as well as the end-user.
                                            • Over 280 companies and over 450 labs are using the platform in both large and smaller universities.
                                            • Analysis indicates the potential of getting into over 10,000 labs first in the European and then the global market with the primary goal of opening collaboration opportunities.
                                            • For more information:

                                              Website: https://www.clustermarket.com/

                                              22 min
                                            • 28: Ladle – A digital weight loss tool with Hazel Maxwell
                                              On this episode of 15 Minutes with the doctor, Vinay is joined by Hazel Maxwell, co-founder of the Ladle app. Ladle is a low-cost digital weight loss tool that is currently being used by the city of Nottingham to help improve the lifestyles of its citizens. Learn why they developed this solution, the importance of testing and needs assessments, and how they rolled out the product.
                                              Topics Covered in this Episode:
                                              • How Ladle got started
                                              • Conducting needs assessments
                                              • Trial and market tests
                                              • Current implementation
                                              • Challenges faced
                                              • How Ladle got started
                                                • Hazel and her co-founder were working as consultants in the healthcare industry
                                                • They noticed a gap in the market for weight loss tools and saw the potential for a cheaper, scalable digital solution
                                                • Considering that 60% of the population of the U.K. is classified as “overweight” or “obese”, they felt that the need for a product like this was great
                                                • Conducting needs assessments
                                                  • Hazel and her co-founder met with healthcare providers, dieticians, clinicians, and psychologists to determine the needs
                                                  • They directly asked these individuals for their feedback and then kept them informed throughout the process
                                                  • “We have a really strong focus on the psychological elements of eating habits.”

                                                    Trial and market tests
                                                    • Their trial found that the Ladle app had the same effectiveness as in-person intervention method
                                                    • They did, however, have a higher dropout rate (44% completions on the app compared to 55%)
                                                    • There is the potential to integrate the Ladle program with some in-person elements to increase the completion rate in the future
                                                    • As a result of their trial experience, they received a direct award to be the commissioned provider for the city of Nottingham
                                                    • “Our aim is to make Ladle as effective as the interventions currently in use by the NHS or different healthcare providers but be purely digital.”

                                                      Current implementation
                                                      • The Ladle app is currently available to all citizens living in Nottingham who are between the ages of 18-65 whose body mass index is over 25
                                                      • This agreement lasts until April of 2020 but they are hoping to expand the use of the app to other areas too
                                                      • Challenges faced
                                                        • It is difficult for startups to be considered during the bidding process with the NHS and local councils because of the lack of having 3 years of financial information available
                                                        • They have also found it difficult to increase the awareness of GPs of their product and consequently the number of referrals
                                                        • Hazel points out that there are ways that the healthcare system could promote more innovation
                                                        • “As well as being low cost, we are also unlimited referrals.”

                                                          For more information:

                                                          https://www.ladleapp.com/

                                                          https://www.asklion.co.uk/kb5/nottingham/directory/home.page

                                                          Connect with us:

                                                          https://www.instagram.com/doctor.vinay/

                                                          https://twitter.com/VinayShankar

                                                          28 min
                                                        • 27: Optimising Your Life & Brain with Dan Murray-Serter from Heights
                                                          On this episode, Vinay speaks with Dan from Heights. Dan and his team aim to help people optimise their life and brain by providing curated content in neuroscience, nutrition and psychology. Dan is also launching a high quality supplement for brain health. Learn about his passion to move into the wellness space, his past as a co-founder of a popular fashion mobile app, and he shares what he has learnt from his entrepreneurial journey so far.
                                                          Topics Covered in this Episode:
                                                          • The product – A supplement for the brain
                                                          • The content – A weekly newsletter
                                                          • Awareness of user needs
                                                          • Advice to creators and aspiring creators of medical apps
                                                          • The product – A supplement for the brain
                                                            • Promotes longevity in brain health
                                                            • Assists in the absorption of the hydration and nutrition
                                                            • Amplifies productivity and overall wellbeing
                                                            • Will be launched in January 2020, but email subscribers are invited to begin testing the product later this autumn
                                                            • “We are creating the highest-quality multivitamin for the brain that can help promote longevity in brain health.”

                                                              The content – A weekly newsletter
                                                              • Provides value to the users, educating them about how science practically impacts their brains
                                                              • Contains curated content from scientific journals, making it accessible to the layperson
                                                              • “I turn the science into English and make it engaging and fun for people to learn more about their brain every single week and how it works.”

                                                                Awareness of user needs
                                                                • Delivering content to the right consumers through the right medium is very important
                                                                • Consumers look at social media with a bit of skepticism towards the quality of the content
                                                                • A weekly email newsletter is reliable and socially responsible, meeting people where they are
                                                                • “All of these things [Facebook, Instagram, etc.] are platforms and who you choose to follow obviously impacts your relationship with that medium.”

                                                                  Advice to creators and aspiring creators of medical apps
                                                                  • Develop your niche and become an expert
                                                                  • You cannot be all things to all people, but you can serve your specific audience very well
                                                                  • Implement some tests with your target demographics to determine how they want to interact with an app like yours
                                                                  • “There are four major pillars that I believe as core to having a healthy brain and they are hydration, nutrition, sleep, and social connection.”

                                                                    For more information:

                                                                    https://twitter.com/danmurrayserter
                                                                    www.yourheights.com

                                                                    21 min
                                                                  • 26: Staircase Chats with SkinVision & NeedleSmart – Digital Healthcare Show 2019
                                                                    In this special recording of 15 minutes with the doctor, we have two guests providing a snapshot of two unique products. From SkinVision, we have Program Manager, Loes Van Egmond. SkinVision is a smartphone app that allows users to upload a photo of a skin lesion and get an assessment within 30 seconds. They are trying to improve early detection of skin cancers and subsequently make treatment more affordable. From Needlesmart, we have CEO Cliff Kirby. NeedleSmart is a device that destroys a hypodermic needle in the fraction of a second by heating it to over 1300 degrees Celsius. The product potential to reduce costs and improve the process for sharps disposal.
                                                                    About the SkinVision App:
                                                                    • A smartphone app that uses a machine learning algorithm to directly provide dermatological screenings to the public.
                                                                    • Launched in 2015 and has 1.2 million downloads so far.
                                                                    • 3.5 million pictures in their database, which allows them to constantly test their algorithm.
                                                                    • If users receive a high-risk assessment, the app follows up with them to make sure they visit a dermatologist or a doctor.
                                                                    • On the lack of progress in chemotherapy: “We’ve set a company mission to save 250,000 lives in the next decade.”

                                                                      Its effectiveness:
                                                                      • 95% accurate in diagnosing melanoma and 97% effective in diagnosing non-melanoma.
                                                                      • General physicians are 60% accurate and dermatologists are 75-90% accurate based on their experience.
                                                                      • “By driving early detection, you can make the treatment much more affordable.”

                                                                        Challenges:
                                                                        • The NHS is complex and difficult to work with, but progress is being made at SkinVision as part of the Innovation Accelerator program.
                                                                        • “By driving early detection, you can make the treatment much more affordable.”

                                                                          About NeedleSmart:
                                                                          • Destroys a hypodermic needle in a fraction of a second by heating it to 1300 degrees.
                                                                          • Created to reduce the number of sharps and simplify the disposal process.
                                                                          • Wifi enabled, which allows each unit to collect data and automatically reorder supplies based on usage.
                                                                          • Its effectiveness:
                                                                            • The NeedleSmart process destroys the needle completely, potentially allowing needles to be disposed more simply and cost-effectively.
                                                                            • Challenges:
                                                                              • The need for a process for early adopters to try out the product and provide feedback and recommendations.
                                                                              • Difficulty of getting NHS approval or attention.
                                                                              • “The challenge right now is to convince an old embedded process that this could really add value to the system.”

                                                                                For more information:

                                                                                https://www.skinvision.com/

                                                                                http://needlesmart.com/
                                                                                https://twitter.com/NeedleSmart

                                                                                Connect with us:

                                                                                http://vinayshankar.net/

                                                                                https://www.instagram.com/doctor.vinay/
                                                                                https://twitter.com/VinayShankar

                                                                                23 min
                                                                              • 25: Precision Oncology with John From Cambridge Cancer Genomics
                                                                                On this episode of 15 Minutes with the Doctor, we are joined by John Cassidy, Co-Founder and CEO of Cambridge Cancer Genomics. John shares with listeners how the company started and how they have advanced precision oncology through genomics. This personalised approach means their software can predict which cancer treatments are likely to be most effective.
                                                                                Key Topics:
                                                                                • The current status of oncology
                                                                                • Solutions created through genomics
                                                                                • The 3 keys to innovation in genomics
                                                                                • How Cambridge Cancer Genomics functions
                                                                                • Biggest challenges they have overcome
                                                                                • The current status of oncology:
                                                                                  • Oncologists typically have a short period of time to review a patient’s test results and make a recommendation for their care
                                                                                  • Oncologists make a recommendation based on their awareness of what drugs or treatments might work, this method is not as effective as it could be
                                                                                  • With 6 months between scans for most patients, as much as 2/3 of patients will receive treatments that are not effective for months before oncologists recognise the need to try something else
                                                                                  • On the lack of progress in chemotherapy: “Two-thirds of patients will go on to receive the same chemotherapy treatments that have been around for decades.”

                                                                                    Solutions created through genomics:
                                                                                    • Genomics allows oncologists to understand what is going on with each patient on the molecular level
                                                                                    • The sequencing of blood and tissue samples can be completed in 15 minutes
                                                                                    • This software is available to clinical diagnostic labs, not direct to consumers
                                                                                    • In a US trial, using genomics saved an average of $25,000-$50,000 per patient
                                                                                    • This method is 98% accurate in predicting the correct drug for each patient
                                                                                    • The 3 keys to innovation in genomics:

                                                                                      Reduction in cost of genomics:

                                                                                      • The Human Genome Project cost $1 billion 20 years ago
                                                                                      • Analysis now costs about $900-$1,000 per patient now
                                                                                      • Computational power:

                                                                                        • Through cloud computing, much more data can be stored securely than ever before and significant developments in artificial intelligence
                                                                                        • More drugs are being produced:

                                                                                          • This means specific drugs are available for more classes and mutations than ever before
                                                                                          • “Put those 3 things (genomic innovation, computational power, and more types of drugs being produced) together and you can do personalised scalable precision oncology for a very, very reasonable price.”

                                                                                            How Cambridge Cancer Genomics functions:

                                                                                            • Founded by 4 co-founders with PhDs who wondered why there was such a disconnect between scientific advances and the technology to support them
                                                                                            • They built an advanced infrastructure using machine learning to support genomic advances
                                                                                            • Their software uses an individuals genomic data and machine learning to predict which drugs are most likely to effective
                                                                                            • They are currently doing alpha and beta testing in 20 centers worldwide, including observational clinical trials in the US and Singapore
                                                                                            • Biggest challenges they have overcome:

                                                                                            • Communicating their message, which is imperative to receiving funding
                                                                                            • While they have a good model, there can be challenges generally in terms of approvals and regulatory hurdles
                                                                                            • “Getting the messaging right is the key thing to get the funding, and the funding is determined by how well you are telling the story.”

                                                                                              For more information:

                                                                                              https://www.ccg.ai/

                                                                                              https://twitter.com/CCGenomics

                                                                                              25 min
                                                                                            • 24: The Magic Table with John Ramsey From Shift 8
                                                                                              Our guest on this episode of the 15 Minutes with the Doctor is John Ramsay. He’s the Chief Exec of Shift 8 and has introduced the Tovertafel (“Magic Table”) to the UK – It allows light projections onto any table surface and enables the users to play musical, sports, and other types of games while having a safe space to engage with others. It is aimed at those with dementia and learning disabilities. Learn about John’s personal story into healthcare innovation, what the Tovartafel is and its benefits, and how it’s use is growing rapidly.
                                                                                              • The beginnings of this partnership
                                                                                              • – John’s friend Hester created the Tovertafel in Holland
                                                                                                – John’s father experienced early-onset Alzheimer’s and John realised the impact that a resource like the Tovertafel could have.
                                                                                                – When he became aware of the Tovertafel, John was working in corporate law, but he realised that he would prefer use his talents where they could have more impact.
                                                                                                – As it came time to come to a licensing agreement, John and Hester learned that the most effective approach was being:
                                                                                                – Open
                                                                                                – Honest
                                                                                                – Structured
                                                                                                – Willing to accept mistakes
                                                                                                – Mutually appreciative
                                                                                                – Collaborative

                                                                                                “When I heard about something that would make a difference to those living with dementia and make them more engaged with the world around them…I realised that maybe corporate law wasn’t for me and this was my calling.”

                                                                                                • Why is there a need for this resource?
                                                                                                • – There is often limited activities for cognitively impaired individuals at their care homes.
                                                                                                  – Many patients become apathetic and disengaged and sometimes depressed.

                                                                                                  “It’s about changing the lives of people with dementia and other cognitive impairments.”

                                                                                                  • The design process.
                                                                                                  • – Each game idea is considered in light of its ability to engage those who are cognitively impaired.
                                                                                                    – The development team then puts a test version of the game together and it is tested for its inclusivity before being distributed.
                                                                                                    – They try to develop a variety of games, recognising that not everyone enjoys music or sport.

                                                                                                    “If you can activate these parts of the brain, you create engagement, and it’s that that creates happiness.”

                                                                                                    • The impacts of the Tovertafel
                                                                                                    • – So far, the Tovertafel has been distributed to 600 care centers and has been used by 10,000 loved ones in the UK.
                                                                                                      – There have been countless stories of individuals experiencing true happiness and dramatic behavior changes after engaging with others and the world using the Tovertafel.
                                                                                                      – Shift 8 has conducted more than 60 studies to test the effectiveness of the technology and make any necessary improvements.
                                                                                                      – They hope to be able to quantify and codify the social impacts of the Tovertafel and integrate this research into future production.

                                                                                                      “It’s amazing to see the effect that we are producing each and every day.”

                                                                                                      • Plans for the future.
                                                                                                      • – Continue to increase the number of loved ones supported by the Tovertafel.
                                                                                                        – Expand the technology into other cognitive impairments.
                                                                                                        – Enlarge the geographic locations served.

                                                                                                        For more information::

                                                                                                        Tovertafel: https://tovertafel.co.uk/

                                                                                                        22 min
                                                                                                      • 23: How to Build a Medical Education Startup and a Property Portfolio with Dr Lafina Diamandis
                                                                                                        Lafina joins this episode of the 15 Minutes with the Doctor podcast. She is a GP trainee, co-founder of Eurekadoc, and host of the new Health Meets Home podcast. Lafina has found a lot of benefit in her unconventional career path, and she hopes that Eurekadoc can provide resources for other doctors to enhance their professional skills in a similar way. She shares her journey with us into how and why they built Eurekadoc and her passion for property investing.
                                                                                                        • Lafina wants fellow doctors to have happier and more diverse medical careers.
                                                                                                        • – Eurekadoc wants to help people distill their passions and be encouraged to follow them, even if this seems less conventional.
                                                                                                          – They want to continue to curate resources that are alternatives to practicing medicine traditionally. This allows doctors to be more autonomous, not relying so much on “the system.”

                                                                                                          “Eurekadoc was born of my own experience of taking quite a diverse career path.”

                                                                                                          • She has seen first-hand the benefits of synergy between industries.
                                                                                                          • – Lafina and her co-founder Aroon dabbled in the fields of property investing and management consulting respectively. They realised that other doctors could benefit from the broader skillsets they had learned outside the medical profession.
                                                                                                            – Eurekadoc aims to provide medical education and training based on the comprehensive perspectives of other industries.
                                                                                                            – Lafina encourages interested doctors to look into the NHS Clinical Entrepreneurship Program and other Fellowships in the area for business focused opportunities.

                                                                                                            “Eurekadoc helps individuals design careers that work for them really well professionally as well as personally.”

                                                                                                            • She has seen first-hand the benefits of synergy between industries.
                                                                                                            • – Lafina and her co-founder Aroon dabbled in the fields of property investing and management consulting respectively. They realised that other doctors could benefit from the broader skillsets they had learned outside the medical profession.
                                                                                                              – Eurekadoc aims to provide medical education and training based on the comprehensive perspectives of other industries.
                                                                                                              – Lafina encourages interested doctors to look into the NHS Clinical Entrepreneurship Program and other Fellowships in the area for business focused opportunities.
                                                                                                              • She has seen first-hand the benefits of synergy between industries.
                                                                                                              • – Lafina and her co-founder Aroon dabbled in the fields of property investing and management consulting respectively. They realised that other doctors could benefit from the broader skillsets they had learned outside the medical profession.
                                                                                                                – Eurekadoc aims to provide medical education and training based on the comprehensive perspectives of other industries.
                                                                                                                – Lafina encourages interested doctors to look into the NHS Clinical Entrepreneurship Program and other Fellowships in the area for business focused opportunities.

                                                                                                                “Eurekadoc helps individuals design careers that work for them really well professionally as well as personally.”

                                                                                                                • Eurekadoc provides dozens of courses and resources.
                                                                                                                • – More than 2,000 people have been trained by Eurekadoc’s webinars, workshops, conferences, and coaching.
                                                                                                                  – Lafina’s book, “Property Investing For Doctors”, and several niche career guides are available.
                                                                                                                  – Many people have benefitted from the Mini-MBA course available through Eurekadoc, it gives participants an idea of what an MBA program entails before they decide to pursue it.
                                                                                                                  – Topics include: property, holistic needs, business, finance, management, leadership, management consulting, transforming your career, wellness/mindfulness, and healthcare innovation.

                                                                                                                  “By diversifying our skills and varying our roles a little bit, actually changing things up can really energise and make you feel more satisfied, more in control of what is going on in your career.”

                                                                                                                  • Lafina is very passionate about property investing.
                                                                                                                  • – Her passion started after she helped a family member through the process of property investing.
                                                                                                                    – She realised that many of her assumptions about the field were untrue, and she found joy in the sourcing, negotiating, and process of adding value.
                                                                                                                    – She read as much as she could about property investing, attended webinars, listened to podcasts, attended events, and found her way into the community of other property investors along the way.
                                                                                                                    – She encourages others to get involved because of the transferrable skills that can be learnt in property and then used to make doctors more effective in the medical field.

                                                                                                                    “Property is an asset you can touch and see. It really challenged a lot of the assumptions that I previously had about property.”

                                                                                                                    • She shares about her new podcast, Health Meets Home.
                                                                                                                    • – This podcast is about the interaction between health and housing, particularly issues that clients and the NHS are experiencing.
                                                                                                                      – She also focuses on how the environment impacts physical and mental health as well as new housing models such as co-living.
                                                                                                                      – She encourages others to get involved because of the transferrable skills that can be learnt in property and then used to make doctors more effective in the medical field.
                                                                                                                      Links:

                                                                                                                      Eurekadoc website: https://www.eurekadoc.com/

                                                                                                                      Eurekadoc Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eurekadocpub
                                                                                                                      Vinay’s Eurekadoc Webinar: https://www.eurekadoc.com/gp-partner-webinar
                                                                                                                      Lafina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lafina-diamandis-487b5bb1/
                                                                                                                      Health Meets Home podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/health-meets-home/id1454132546?mt=2
                                                                                                                      NHS Clinical Entrepreneurship Scheme: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/innovation/clinical-entrepreneur

                                                                                                                      28 min
                                                                                                                    • 22: Music & Medicine With Dr Amal Lad
                                                                                                                      On this episode of 15 minutes with the Doctor, we have Dr Amal Lad, a doctor and musician who is bridging the gap between Medicine and Music. He has found his “sweet spot” in understanding the body while integrating his musical skills into medical projects. Learn about his thoughts on music as therapy, opportunities for financial income, and his future plans.


                                                                                                                      – Amal is a self-taught musician.
                                                                                                                      As a self-taught musician working towards his creative potential, he found that studying medicine was the best way to engage the analytical side of his brain. While studying medicine, he found that he learned best by integrating music into his learning as much as possible.

                                                                                                                      “I never set out to be a musician, but I have always been a musician.”

                                                                                                                      – There is a growing body of evidence-based research on the connection between music and overall wellbeing.

                                                                                                                      Music therapy is growing in acclaim as it continues to aid patients in maintaining a healthy lifestyle through mindfulness and even in prevention. Amal recognises that it will be important to leverage all available media outlets to have the greatest impact.

                                                                                                                      “Across the world, music helps people through the darkest times, the most jubilant times, the wide range of human emotions.”

                                                                                                                      – Amal has gained some widespread recognition for his work.

                                                                                                                      During a TEDx talk through the NHS, he created a piece of music using the sound and rhythm of his heartbeat to demonstrate the musical potential of the body.
                                                                                                                      When his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, he worked with her to help her put a sound to her symptoms with the hope that it would reduce her anxiety and hopelessness. He noticed great improvement with her and began recommending this treatment to others.
                                                                                                                      He was chosen to be a part of the Chelsea and Westminster hospital Arts Charity program, art pieces throughout the hospital were paired with unique music pieces that accompany them. This encourages patients to mobilise and continue their improvement by engaging with the arts.

                                                                                                                      “A 3-minute track of mine is an opportunity to have a conversation with somebody in the same way that a doctor has a 10-minute consultation.”

                                                                                                                      – He has released an album on Spotify and wants to further integrate music into his profession once he completes his GP training.

                                                                                                                      Amal recognises the difficulties of being a musician, he plans to complete his GP training and then practice medicine several days a week while focusing on his music and helping others through it on the remaining days.

                                                                                                                      “Music gives people an informal and lighthearted way of feeling more connected and being able to express themselves.”

                                                                                                                      Links:

                                                                                                                      http://www.amallad.com/

                                                                                                                      24 min

                                                                                                                    About 15 Minutes With The Doctor: Learn from Healthcare Entrepreneurs and Innovators

                                                                                                                    From the publisher's feed

                                                                                                                    The podcast for inspiring stories from businesses, start-ups and innovators in healthcare and medical technology